Cash Online launches latest tool to give wireless share trading a boost

Hong Kong-based online brokerage and trading services company Cash Online, related to Celestial Asia Securities Holdings (CASH), last week launched a tool to enable its 13,000 registered users buy and sell shares directly with a WAP (wireless application protocol) mobile phone or a handheld computer fitted to a wireless modem, such as a PocketPC-based on Microsoft's Windows CE or the Palm computing platform.

The application, better developed for the Windows platform, gives users of the latest PocketPC systems, such as the Compaq Aero, a slightly more sophisticated function. Palm Pilot users will have to settle for dull text and basic functionality.

PocketPC users will be able to use In-Trade, a Cash Online service that enables customers to access real-time stock quotes and trade securities and commodities listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong and Hong Kong Futures Exchange via the Internet.

The tool is the latest in a series of new services Cash Online is launching in anticipation of its expected listing on the Growth Enterprise Market this month or early next.

The financial-services company was one of the first to offer online Initial Public Offering (IPO) services to its clients, about the same time as rival Boom.com, ahead of HSBC.

The scheme includes online IPO subscriptions and short message notifications of upcoming IPOs to CASH clients.