Except with the prior written approval of SGX-ST in each instance, no Trading Member shall, for any account in which it has an interest or for the account of any customer, effect an opening transaction in an Option of any Class dealt on SGX-ST if that Trading Member has reason to believe that as a result of such transaction the Trading Member or its customer would, acting alone or in concert with others directly or indirectly, hold or control or be obligated in respect of an aggregate position (whether short or long) in excess of the individual position limits set out as follows:—

Notwithstanding Rule 18.5.1 the total number of outstanding Options on both sides of the market of any underlying security shall not exceed 15% of the issued capital of the issuer of the underlying security. This limit shall be known as the market position limit.

SGX-ST may from time to time vary the individual position and market position limits in Rules 18.5.1 and 18.5.2 respectively by a circular issued to all Trading Members, such new position limits to take effect on such date specified therein. Such new position limits shall not, unless otherwise stated, affect existing Options positions.

Whenever SGX-ST shall determine that a person or group of persons acting in concert holds or controls, or is obligated in respect of, an aggregate position (whether long or short) in all Options of 1 or more Classes or Series dealt in on SGX-ST in excess of the applicable position limits, it may order all Trading Members carrying a position in Options of such Classes or Series for such person or persons to enter into closing transactions in respect of such outstanding positions as expeditiously as possible consistent with the maintenance of a fair and orderly market. Whenever such an order is given, no Trading Member shall accept any order to write, purchase or exercise any Option for the account of the person or persons named in the order, unless in each instance express approval therefor is given by SGX-ST, or until such order is rescinded.

It shall be the responsibility of each Trading Member and Trading Representative accepting orders for opening transactions (purchase or written) in Options to inform customers of the applicable position limits and not to accept orders from any customer if the Trading Member or Trading Representative has reason to believe that the customer, acting alone or in concert with others, has exceeded or is attempting to exceed such position limits.

Whenever SGX-ST or the OCC shall determine in light of current conditions in the Options Market or in the Equity Market that there are outstanding an excessive number of percent of uncovered short positions in Options of a given Class dealt in on SGX-ST, SGX-ST or the OCC may prohibit any further opening written transactions in Options of that Class unless the short position is created by a Scrip-Covered Call Option and it may prohibit the uncovering of existing Scrip-Covered Call Options in 1 or more Series of that Class as it deems appropriate in the interests of maintaining a fair and orderly market in such Options or in the underlying securities, or otherwise deems advisable in the public interest or for the protection of investors.

SGX-ST or the OCC shall be empowered to impose, from time to time in its discretion, such restrictions on Option transactions or the exercise of Options in 1 or more Series of Options of any Class dealt in on SGX-ST as SGX-ST or the OCC deems advisable in the interests of maintaining a fair and orderly market in Options, or in the underlying securities or otherwise deems advisable in the public interest or for the protection of investors. During the effectiveness of such restrictions, no Trading Member shall, for any account in which it has an interest or for the account of any customer effect any Option transaction or accept Exercise Notices to exercise any Option in contravention of such restrictions.