If you’re a Malaysian retail investor looking to trade Hong Kong stocks, understanding the full fee structure is essential before you place your first order. This guide breaks down exactly what you’ll pay at Malacca Securities Sdn Bhd (M+ Global) — from commissions to hidden charges — so you can make informed decisions about your Hong Kong portfolio.
Commissions and Margin Rates for HK Stocks
Commission is the fee Malacca Securities charges you for executing your trade. For HK stocks, this is competitive:
|
Item |
Charging Entity |
Fees |
Minimum |
|
Commissions/Brokerage fee |
Malacca Securities Sdn Bhd |
as low as 0.10% per transaction |
HKD18 |
|
Margin Rates |
Malacca Securities Sdn Bhd |
8% per annum |
— |
Important note for phone orders: If you place your HK stock trade by phone rather than through the app, you’ll pay a higher commission of 0.6% of the transaction amount, with a minimum of HKD88 per order.
Margin rates apply if you borrow money to buy HK stocks. At 8% per annum, this is the interest you’ll pay on the borrowed amount for each year you hold the margin position.
Remisier tip: Always use the M+ Global app or online platform to trade — the 0.10% commission is significantly cheaper than the 0.6% phone order rate. That difference adds up quickly, especially on larger trades.
Government and Exchange Fees (HK Stocks)
Beyond the brokerage commission, you’ll encounter several regulatory and exchange fees. These are mandatory charges imposed by Hong Kong and Malaysian authorities:
|
Item |
Charging Entity |
Fees |
Minimum |
|
Malaysia Contract Stamp (Shares/Stocks) |
Malaysian government |
RM1.00 for every RM1,000.00 contract value, max RM1,000.00 |
— |
|
Malaysia Contract Stamp (Marketable Securities) |
Malaysian government |
RM1.00 for every RM1,000.00 contract value, max RM200.00 |
— |
|
HK Stamp Duty |
Hong Kong government |
0.10% |
— |
|
Trading Fee |
HK Stock Exchange |
0.00565% |
HKD0.01 |
|
Settlement Fee |
HK CCASS |
0.0042% |
— |
|
Levy Fee (SFC) |
HK Securities and Futures Commission |
0.0027% |
HKD0.01 |
|
Levy Fee (Financial Reporting Council) |
Hong Kong Financial Reporting Council |
0.00015% |
— |
These fees are small individually but add up. The largest is Hong Kong’s stamp duty at 0.10% — charged on both sides of every trade. The exchange, settlement, and regulatory fees are all fractions of a percent but exist on every transaction.
Corporate Action Fees (Dividends, Bonus Issues, Rights)
When you own HK stocks, corporate actions like dividend payments, bonus issues, or rights offerings trigger additional fees charged by M+ Global:
|
Corporate Action |
M+ Global Charge |
|
Dividend |
Handling fee: 2% minimum HKD50 + Share transfer fee: HKD1.50/lot, no minimum |
|
Bonus Issue |
HKD3.00/lot, minimum HKD50 |
|
Rights Issue |
HKD0.80/lot, minimum HKD50 |
|
Takeover Offer |
0.5% minimum HKD50 |
|
Share Subscription / Expired / Delisting |
HKD1.50/lot, minimum HKD50 |
|
Share Transfer |
HKD1.50/lot, no minimum |
|
Corporate Action Fee |
HKD0.80/lot, no minimum |
Dividend fees are among the most common. You’ll pay both a 2% handling fee (minimum HKD50) and HKD1.50 per lot when dividends are processed. Bonus issues and rights issues each carry per-lot charges, useful to know if you hold large positions.
Remisier tip: Track your corporate actions in the M+ Global app. It’s easy to miss small charges from dividend processing, but they do reduce your net return over time — especially on frequent dividend stocks.
Key Takeaways
- Trade online, not by phone. The 0.10% commission via app beats 0.6% for phone orders — a 6x difference in cost.
- Expect multiple small fees. HK stamp duty (0.10%), exchange fees, and settlement charges apply to every buy and sell.
- Margin borrowing costs 8% per annum if you use leverage to buy HK stocks.
- Corporate actions carry fees. Dividends cost 2% minimum HKD50 plus per-lot charges; bonus and rights issues have their own per-lot costs.
- Malaysian stamp duty applies too. You’ll pay RM1 per RM1,000 of contract value (capped at RM1,000 for shares or RM200 for other securities).
- Total costs are still competitive. Combined, your all-in cost is lower than many overseas brokers, especially for small to medium trades.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest way to trade HK stocks at M+ Global?
Use the M+ Global app or online platform to trade. The commission is as low as 0.10% per transaction (minimum HKD18), compared to 0.6% if you call and place a phone order (minimum HKD88 per order).
Do I pay Hong Kong stamp duty when I buy and sell HK stocks?
Yes. HK stamp duty of 0.10% is charged by the Hong Kong government on every trade. This applies on both the buy side and sell side of your transaction.
What does the 8% margin rate mean?
If you borrow money from M+ Global to buy HK stocks, you’ll pay 8% per annum interest on the borrowed amount. This is only charged if you use margin; cash purchases do not incur this fee.
How much does it cost to receive a dividend from a HK stock I own?
When a dividend is paid, M+ Global charges a handling fee of 2% (minimum HKD50) plus HKD1.50 per lot. Both fees apply to process the dividend payment.
Are there fees for bonus issues or rights issues on HK stocks?
Yes. Bonus issues cost HKD3.00 per lot with a minimum of HKD50. Rights issues cost HKD0.80 per lot with a minimum of HKD50. Each corporate action is charged separately.
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Source: based on the official M+ Global Help Centre (Malacca Securities Sdn Bhd). Fees, hours and procedures are set by Malacca Securities and the exchanges and may change — check the M+ Global app or ask your remisier for the latest.
Disclaimer: This guide is for general information only and is not financial advice.
