Taiwan's over-the-counter market is changing its intraday odd-lot trading rules in a way that should help small investors who buy shares in fractions rather than full lots.

• Starting December 7, odd-lot orders can be placed from 8:30 a.m., with trading opening at 9:00 a.m. — the same opening time as the regular market.
• Before the open, the OTC market will show a simulated price and volume every five seconds, so buyers can see where the market is heading.
• A new delayed-open mechanism will kick in when prices swing wildly before the open, giving the market time to settle.
• Odd-lot and full-lot trading remain separate markets, so the same stock can open at a different price and even at a different time in each.

Outlook: Small investors get a fairer, more transparent open in December, but they will need to double-check which market they are trading in before placing orders.