Hong Kong securities regulators are looking into "suspected irregularities" at the Hong Kong Mercantile Exchange, and have referred the matter to the police.

The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission said it has withdrawn its authorisation of the exchange as a provider of automated trading services. The regulator launched its investigation into the exchange's financial affairs last Wednesday, and referred "certain matters" to the Hong Kong Commercial Crime Bureau "as the suspected irregularities are serious ones".