Price sensitive information is being held back from the Hong Kong stock market because of computer virus problems, the exchange is warning members.
Lawrence Fok, executive director of the exchange's listing division, has written to members warning they could be liable for losses or damage arising from using contaminated diskettes.
Mr Fok said the liability also extended to third parties, such as printing firms contracted by members to provide the data to the exchange.
The information being corrupted was 'financially material statements', such as placings of shares and warrants, which have to be cleared by the exchange's listing division before publication, he said.
Since January 2 all listed issuers have had to provide the information on a diskette.
Mr Fok said: 'The division has recently experienced a number of faulty diskettes, some of which have contained viruses.' Paul Chan, a senior manager in the information services department, said the letter was intended to alert members to the potential problems - and liabilities - that could arise.
