Sphere Investments Limited (Sphere) officially listed on the Dubai International Financial Exchange on 18 July 2007.

The code on DIFX is SPH (which is the same as that on the Australian Securities Exchange [ASX]) and the price quoted on DIFX is in USD.

The shares trading on DIFX will be the same shares that are trading on the ASX. Thus, Sphere's share registry, Computershare will still be maintaining the register and also the number of shares in the DIFX market.

Trading hours on DIFX is from 1130hrs to 1700hrs (Dubai time) which is 1530hrs to 2100hrs Australian Western Standard Time (AWST) or 1930hrs to 0100hrs (next day) Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST), AEST being 6 hours behind Dubai.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How would it affect the Australian market?
   
   There will be no direct effect on the Australian market. Indirectly it will mean there are a greater number of potential buyers and sellers.

2. How can one trade on DIFX?
   
   It is necessary for one to open an account with a stockbroker who is approved to trade on the DIFX.
   
   A list of brokers who are licensed to trade DIFX are:

   • ABN AMRO Bank N.V
   • EFG - Hermes UAE Ltd
   • Citigroup Global Markets Ltd
   • Deutsche Bank AG
   • Mashreq Capital DIFC Ltd
   • Merrill Lynch International
   • SHUAA Capital International
   • UBS AG.

   Click here for a list of DIFX member firms.

3. If one's sales/purchases are made on DIFX, does it mean it is only tradable in DIFX and not on ASX or vice versa?
   
   No, the shares in DIFX and ASX are completely fungible, that is, the shares are moved between the Australian CHESS and the DIFX CSD through Computershare DIFX link.

4. Is one able to continue trading shares on DIFX even when the ASX market is closed?
   
   Yes.