Which indices are most actively traded in the Asian session?
Verdict
- We can't rank Asian-session indices by trading activity, because no verified volume data is in our sources; what we can show is that Pepperstone, our pick for Singapore traders, offers the four main regional benchmarks as CFDs: Hong Kong 50, Japan 225, China A50 and Australia 200.
- On published Razor averages they cost 5 points (HK50), 7.4 (JPN225), 10.2 (CN50) and 1.5 (AUS200), with no commission at Pepperstone.
- US index CFDs also trade through the Asian day, and Pepperstone's NAS100 and US500 perpetuals run 24/7.
- Pepperstone serves Singapore residents from the Bahamas (SCB, SIA-F217) and holds no MAS licence.
'Most actively traded' is a volume question, and we only publish rankings we can source. We don't have verified volume figures for index CFDs in the Asian session, so instead of guessing we show which benchmarks are open while Asia trades, what they cost at Pepperstone, and how to judge activity yourself.
What Pepperstone offers for the Asian session
Pepperstone lists the main Asia-Pacific benchmarks as index CFDs: HK50 for Hong Kong, JPN225 for Japan, CN50 for the China A50 and AUS200 for Australia. They are priced through the spread alone, with no commission on either account, and Razor carries the lower spreads. One account, which Singapore residents can hold in SGD or HKD, covers all four alongside US and European indices, so you can follow a theme from Tokyo to New York without changing broker.
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The regional benchmarks, by published cost
Razor and Standard averages in index points, from Pepperstone's index-fee table on its Australian site (August 2026). A lower point spread does not automatically mean cheaper, because each index trades at a very different level.
| Index | Razor average | Standard average | Saving on Razor |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUS200 | 1.5 | 1.5 | None |
| HK50 | 5 | 5 | None |
| JPN225 | 7.4 | 9.4 | 2 points |
| CN50 | 10.2 | Not in our data | Not in our data |
How to judge activity yourself
- Watch the live spread through the session: a spread that holds steady at or near its published average is one sign of an active market.
- Compare tick frequency on a one-minute chart; a fast-updating price is a sign of an active market.
- Follow the calendar: Japanese, Chinese and Australian data releases, and the Hong Kong and Tokyo opens, are natural moments of activity for regional indices.
- Use the exchange's own published volume statistics for the underlying index if you want hard numbers.
US indices in Asian hours
US benchmarks also trade during Asian hours, which lets you react to overnight news before the US open. At Pepperstone, US500 averages 0.4 points and NAS100 1 point on Razor, and for Singapore clients the Bahamas retail table lists NAS100-PERP and US500-PERP, perpetual CFDs that trade 24/7 and charge a funding rate set weekly in advance. Retail leverage on major indices is up to 1:200 under the Bahamas licence.
A word on who you trade with
Pepperstone has no Singapore website, no MAS licence and no named compensation scheme for clients of its Bahamas entity. If those matter, IG, CMC Markets, Saxo and Plus500 each name a MAS-licensed Singapore company and offer index CFDs; ask them for average spreads on the same four benchmarks and compare. XS accepts Singapore residents but publishes no index spreads in our data.
Sources
Published by Pepperstone.
Which Asian index has the tightest spread at Pepperstone?
In points, AUS200 at a 1.5 average. Because index levels differ, compare cost as a share of the index's usual daily move.
Is Razor cheaper for Asian indices?
For JPN225, yes: 7.4 points against 9.4 on Standard. For HK50 and AUS200 the published averages are the same.
Can I trade Asian indices at the weekend?
Not through Pepperstone's cash CFDs as far as our data shows; the 24/7 perpetuals for Singapore clients are on US indices, gold and oil.
Do you publish index volume rankings?
Not without a verified source. We'd rather show you published costs than guess at volumes.
Index CFDs are leveraged and Asian markets can move sharply on overnight news, so you can lose money quickly. Spreads are broker-published averages. Not investment advice.