Share Market Basics: Your Complete Guide to Start Investing

The share market plays an important role in shaping a country's economy. It's where businesses – mega corporations and growing startups alike – raise funds of offering shares to everyday investors. You don’t need to be an expert or a financial wizard to participate. Whether you have heard of the Bombay Stock Exchange or are just curious about investing, this guide is here to simplify it all. Take a deep dive into the essentials of the Indian share market so you can take your first steps with clarity and confidence.

What Is a Share Market?

A stock market, which is also sometimes called a share market, is a big money place where people trade different things, like stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and more. The main difference between them is what you can trade. In a stock market, you can trade lots of different financial stuff, making it a big hub for investments. It's a place where regular people and big organisations can buy and sell parts of companies, government bonds, and other money-related things to help with investing and moving money around in the economy.

But share market refers to a smaller part of the stock market. In a share market, it's all about buying and selling parts of companies, which are called shares or stocks. These shares represent a piece of a company, and people can buy or sell them to have a share in that company's money and profits. So, while many sometimes use the words "stock market" and "share market" interchangeably, the real difference is that a stock market has more things to trade, while a share market is all about trading pieces of companies.

How Does a Share Market Work?

The share market is a network of exchanges, clearing companies, and brokerage firms. It works in two main parts. They are as follows:

• Primary Market: It is the marketplace where the companies issue their shares for the first time. This process is called as the IPO (Initial public offering). The companies enter the share market when they launch the IPO and list themselves on the stock exchanges.

• Secondary Market: It is the marketplace where investors buy and sell shares of the companies listed on stock exchanges via IPOs. Stock exchanges are platforms that facilitate the buying and selling of financial securities.

The working process of the share market involves the following process.

• First, the companies issue the shares in the primary market. The interested investors can apply for the IPO and buy the shares. The company receives the funds generated from the sale of shares. After the IPO, these shares are listed on the stock exchanges.

• The listed shares are now available in the secondary market, where trading takes place. The investors who purchased the shares in the IPO can sell the shares in the secondary market.

• Brokerage firms are financial institutions that facilitate the buying and selling of shares. They work with the stock exchanges to offer these services. The broker receives the buy or sell order placed by an individual. Then he will find a suitable match for the order.

• Once the right match is available, the broker executes the transaction. The broker provides the necessary information regarding the transaction to the stock exchange, buyer, and the seller. Nowadays, the entire process is carried out electronically.

• The stock exchange authorises and completes the transaction. The buyer shall receive the shares of the stock he purchased. The seller receives due funds equal to the present market value of the shares.

In this way, the process continues in the share market. The share market keeps working to facilitate the trading of shares.

Why Invest in the Share Market?

Many buy shares in companies to help their money grow over time. Some people worry that investing in shares is risky, but lots of research has proved that if you pick the right shares and hang on to them for a while, for say five to ten years, they can make your money grow even faster than avenues like real estate or gold, and they can beat the rising cost of living (inflation). So, investing in the right shares for the long run can be a smart way to make your money grow.

History and Evolution of the Share Market

Stockbrokers used to congregate around Banyan trees to make stock dealings. They had no choice but to move from one location to another as the number of brokers grew. Finally, in 1854, they moved to Dalal Street, which is now home to Asia's oldest stock market, the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). It is India's first stock exchange and has played a significant role in the Indian financial markets since then. Even today, the BSE Sensex is one of the benchmarks used to assess the strength of the Indian economy and financial system.

The National Stock Exchange, or NSE, was founded in 1993. Trading on both exchanges - NSE and BSE - evolved from an open outcry system to an automated trading environment within a few years.

This demonstrates that Indian stock markets have a long and illustrious history. Yet, on the surface, especially when considering investing in the stock market, it might appear to be a maze. However, once you get started, you'll see that the investment principles aren't that difficult. One of the basics of investment fundamentals is financial planning.

Important Stock Market Terms

How to Start Investing in the Share Market?

Investing in the share market can be a rewarding way to build wealth, but it is important to understand the share market basics before getting started. Here is a step-by-step guide for beginners:

1. Understand the stock market: Learn about stocks, the types of shares, and how the stock market works. This is the foundation of stock market basics.

2. Select a brokerage account: Choose a brokerage that fits your needs. They act as intermediaries between you and the stock exchanges.

3. Fund your account: Deposit money into your brokerage account to begin buying stocks.

4. Set your strategy: Decide if you want to invest long-term or trade frequently. Stock market basics for beginners emphasise a clear strategy.

5. Start small: It is best to begin with small investments and diversify your portfolio to reduce risk.

6. Consider ETFs: Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) offer a diversified investment option.

7. Do thorough research: Understanding the basics of trading in stocks and market trends is crucial before making any investment decisions.

Considerations Before Beginning Share Market Investing

Before diving into the stock market, there are several considerations to keep in mind to ensure you make informed decisions. Here’s a checklist:

1. Assess your financial goals: Understand if you are investing for long-term growth, short-term gains, or income generation through dividends.

2. Understand your risk tolerance: Determine your risk appetite and time horizon. This will guide the types of stocks and investment strategies that suit you.

3. Choose a reliable brokerage: Research brokers based on their fees, services, and educational tools. A platform with solid educational resources will help you understand the share market and enhance your trading knowledge.

4. Diversify your portfolio: Spread investments across various sectors to minimise risks. Diversification protects you from market volatility in a single industry.

5. Understand market factors: Keep in mind the impact of inflation, market cycles, and geopolitical events, which can affect stock performance.

6. Focus on the basics of trading stocks: A solid understanding of stock market is crucial for making informed decisions. Regularly stay updated on market trends and developments.

7. Start small: Start with smaller investments to assess the market conditions and understand the associated risks before committing larger amounts.

Share Market Strategies for New Investors

Starting your investment journey in the share market can feel overwhelming, but the right strategies can set you up for long-term success. As a new investor, here are some smart, beginner-friendly approaches to help you avoid common mistakes:

• Start with research: Get acquainted with how the market functions prior to investing. Educate yourself on company fundamentals, industry trends and economic indicators.

• Invest in what you know: Start with industries or companies that you know so that it's simpler to monitor progress and understand risks.

• Diversify your portfolio: Don’t put all your money into one stock. Spread your investments across different sectors to reduce risk.

• Think long-term: Avoid chasing quick profits. Staying invested over time can help ride out market volatility and build wealth gradually.

• *Avoid emotional trading: Market fluctuations are unavoidable. Thus, don't make investment decisions basis fear or greed.

• Review and learn continuously: Follow the performance of your portfolio and remain aware of what is happening in the market to adjust your strategy accordingly.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

When investing in the share market, beginners often make common mistakes that can hinder their success. Here is a list of pitfalls to avoid:

1. Chasing short-term profits: Impulsive decisions driven by market fluctuations, rather than following a strategic plan, can be detrimental. Understanding stock market basics helps prevent this.

2. Lack of diversification: Failing to diversify your portfolio increases the risk of significant losses. Stock market basics for beginners highlight the importance of spreading investments across sectors.

3. Neglecting research: Relying on tips from unreliable sources without conducting your own research can lead to poor decisions. Master the basics of trading stocks for better results.

4. Emotional investing: Panic selling during market downturns or getting swayed by emotions can lead to poor decisions. Stay calm and stick to your strategy.

5. Overtrading: Excessive buying and selling lead to unnecessary fees and taxes, which can erode your returns. Focus on long-term goals instead.

Conclusion

Understanding the basics of stock market investment may seem daunting at first, but it will empower you to make informed choices. Additionally, stock exchanges like the BSE and NSE have played critical roles in global finance throughout history. Over the long term, stocks can provide inflation-beating returns, making them a more attractive investment than real estate or gold.

However, determining the size and type of investments requires taking into account factors such as financial goals, age, and risk tolerance. Moreover, you can invest effectively in the stock market by conducting thorough research, staying current on market trends, and avoiding short-term thinking. Also, by leveraging the expertise and services of Kotak Securities, you can navigate the stock market with confidence and work towards securing your financial future.