For participants with high transaction volumes, the fixed transaction fee is being reduced or abolished completely. This will ensure that SIX Swiss Exchange remains competitive in the area of automated trading and make it more attractive as an efficient and cost-effective exchange. At the same time, the fees for auctions will be harmonised for all participants.

By adjusting its fees, SIX Swiss Exchange is recognising the trend towards automated trading. Christian Katz, CEO of SIX Swiss Exchange, comments on the new regulations: "These changes will result in significantly lower fees as a whole for clients with high transaction volumes. However, it is not only current participants who will benefit from the attractive fees, but new clients, too. I am convinced that this will increase our ability to compete, as a cost-efficient exchange attracts liquidity and helps create better and more sustainable pricing."

The new blue chip trading fees, which will apply from 1 December 2009, are as follows:

Transaction fee reduction on for participants with high transaction volumes

For participants with Commitment Level 2 (monthly trading fees in future over CHF 250,000, currently over CHF 300,000), the current fixed transaction fee of CHF 1 will be abolished completely. For Commitment Level 1 (monthly trading fees in future between CHF 100,000 and CHF 250,000), the flat fee will be reduced by 50% from CHF 1 to CHF 0.50 and for Standard Level (monthly trading fees up to CHF 100,000) by 25% to CHF 0.75 per transaction.

Harmonisation of fees in auctions

At the same time as the fees for continuous trading are reduced, all participants will be subject to the same conditions in auctions. All participants will pay a harmonised fee of 0.75 basis points plus the fixed transaction fee that will continue to be charged, up to a maximum of CHF 75 per transaction.