Stock Exchange may change market's opening times

The Stock Exchange is considering changing the opening and closing hours of the London stock market and altering the way opening and closing prices are calculated in an attempt to improve its new electronic trading system, SETS.

The proposals are contained in a consultation document, released yesterday. The document also reviews the progress of SETS, which has faced sustained criticism since launch last October. Market watchers have been concerned about numerous "rogue" opening and closing prices.

The Exchange said it would consider opening the market later - possibly as late as 9.30 - and closing earlier in a bid to deal with rogue prices. One suggestion is closing at 4.10, the same time as Liffe, the financial futures and options exchange.