It is important to access the right platforms for the generation of wealth. Investing in the stock market emerges as a lucrative choice and brings substantial returns over time. But, in order to capture those returns, one must understand how the stock market works. The stock market is an active marketplace where buyers and sellers exchange ownership in companies. It is an eco-system that impacts global economies, company’s landscapes and gives individuals to the ability to engage in wealth creation.
Key Highlights
Websites where investors buy and sell shares/stocks; there are two major stock exchanges in India - BSE and NSE.
They are also known as stockbrokers, and they facilitate trade between the market participants who place buy or sell orders.
Shareholders benefit from dividends and an increasing value in the shares.
The stock market is a place where investors can buy and sell shares, bonds, and derivatives of similar securities, such as stock options, through exchanges. It acts as a marketplace for buyers and sellers. In order to understand how the stock market works it is important to know the players of the game. There are four participants in the Indian stock market who make an impact for everything that happens
SEBI is the regulatory body overseeing India's stock exchanges, which it monitors for fair and efficient functioning. The overall purpose of this organization is to ensure fair play for all involved parties. SEBI, which is an important regulatory authority for exchanges, companies, brokerages and other players in the markets ultimately runs on the guiding principle of protecting the interests of investors with its rules and orders.
The stock market is where investors can buy and sell shares, bonds and derivatives; markets are venues for such transactions. There are two primary stock exchanges in India.
Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) - Sensex is its index National Stock Exchange (NSE) - Nifty is its index
A broker (either a firm or an individual) finds buyers and sellers, while getting a commission/fee for performing that function. These intermediaries are important to the markets as they help ensure smooth trade execution and offer valuable services for investors.
Shares represent fractions of a company's market capitalisation. Individuals, known as investors, acquire these shares with the intention of becoming partial owners of the company. Investors, through acquisitions of shares, become part of a company in the long term and this has reasons such as performance, dividends and growth rate. Trading involves buying or selling this ownership stake. Unlike investors, traders may be more focused on market trends, price movements, and short-term opportunities to capitalise on fluctuations in stock prices.
To gain insight into the functioning of the Indian stock market, it is important to understand primary and secondary markets.
The primary stock market offers companies the chance to generate capital for their investment needs and fulfil financial obligations. To enter the primary market, a company undergoes an Initial Public Offering (IPO), during which it introduces its shares to the public for the first time. The IPO spans a specific duration, allowing investors to bid for shares at the company's predetermined issue price. Following the subscription period, shares are allocated to successful bidders, marking the company as public since it has distributed its shares to the general public.
The secondary stock market is where a company's shares are traded after their initial offering to the public in the primary market. The secondary market provides a platform for buyers and sellers to execute transactions, contributing to the ongoing liquidity and efficiency of the stock market. The continuous trading activity in this market allows investors to adjust their portfolios, reacting to changes in their investment strategies or market conditions.
From primary listings to secondary market transactions, understanding the working of the share market is essential for investors looking to make informed decisions in their wealth-building endeavours. But, how does the stock market work? Let’s find out:
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to invest in the stock market:
Step 1: The first step is to choose a reputable broker and evaluate their brokerage fees, trading platform, and the services they offer.
Step 2: Open a Demat and trading account. While the Demat account will store your shares electronically, the trading account will allow you to buy and sell shares on the stock exchange.
Step 3: After the completion of the KYC process, your accounts are opened. Now you can fund your trading account.
Step 4: Log in to your trading account from the broker’s app or website to start investing. Select the stock that you want to invest in and the amount you wish to invest based on your financial goals and risk tolerance.
Step 5: Place a market order (buying at the current price) or limit order (buying at a specified price).
Step 6: Execute the purchase order. Once the transaction is processed, the stocks will be credited to your Demat account.
After investing, you must track the performance of the stocks regularly, as this will help you sell underperforming stocks at the right time or invest in high-performing ones.
Before investing your hard-earned money in a stock, there are two key ways to evaluate the stock:
1. Fundamental Analysis
2. Technical Analysis
With the stock market explained, you must also know the fundamental entities in Indian stock markets. These are:
1. Stock Exchanges: These are the platforms where trading takes place. In India, there are two primary stock exchanges – Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and National Stock Exchange (NSE).
2. Market Regulator: SEBI is the market regulator that ensures the stock markets in India work efficiently and transparently.
3. Primary and Secondary Markets: In the primary market, companies issue IPO to the public for the first time. The secondary market is where existing securities are traded.
4. Investors and Traders: These entities buy and sell securities.
5. Stockbrokers and Brokerages: These are registered intermediaries who execute purchase and sale orders on behalf of investors. They charge a brokerage fee or a commission.
When you purchase a stock today, the credit is processed by the end of the day. The stock exchange ensures the trade of stocks is honoured during the settlement process. If the settlement cycle extends beyond T+2 days, it jeopardises the integrity of the stock market as it implies that trades may not be upheld.
Stockbrokers uniquely identify their clients through an assigned investor code. Following an investor's transaction, the stockbroker issues a contract note containing details of the trade, including the time and date.
In addition to the stock's purchase price, investors are obligated to pay brokerage fees, stamp duty and securities transaction tax. For sale transactions, these costs are deducted from the sale proceeds, and the remaining amount is disbursed to the investor.
Both at the broker and stock exchange levels, multiple entities/parties, such as the brokerage order department and exchange floor traders, are involved in the communication chain.
The share market is a vibrant ecosystem, and understanding its working mechanism empowers investors to make informed decisions. From primary listings to secondary market transactions, participants in the share market play integral roles in shaping the financial landscape and contributing to the overall efficiency of this vital economic engine.
The share market, or stock market, is a dynamic platform where investors buy and sell ownership stakes in companies, facilitated by stock exchanges, with companies entering through Initial Public Offerings (IPOs), and the interaction of various participants influencing its functionality and global economic impact.
Shares give profits in two ways: capital appreciation and dividends. Investors profit when share prices increase over time. This is called capital appreciation. Some stocks also offer a share in the company’s profits. It is referred to as dividends.
Share trading works by investors placing buy or sell orders through stockbrokers, who execute these orders on the stock exchange, matching buyers and sellers to finalise transactions at agreed upon prices.
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