Trading in Equity - 5 Equity Trading Tips for Volatile Markets

Posted by Mehul Kothari | Published on 01 Aug 2019
Image
Trading in Equity - 5 Equity Trading Tips for Volatile Markets

Market volatility is quite like Voldemort. No one wants to talk about it though it is inevitable. It will creep into your equity trading life at some point or another. So, what should you do? Leave everything to fate or prepare for the fight like Harry Potter. If the answer is latter, continue reading. You will get to know some great equity trading tips that will ensure that you weather the volatility without a crease on your brow.


What causes volatility in the markets?

Volatility refers to big swings or fluctuations in the price of stocks in the market. The movement can be in either direction – up or down. When the stock prices come down significantly, it is referred to as a bear market. On the other hand, if the prices keep on rising, it is called a bull market.

Some factors which result in market volatility

  • Global and national political scenario (including election results)
  • Fluctuations in crude oil prices
  • Economic or policy reforms
  • Unexpected developments (positive or negative) in the market, earnings or news about a reputed company


Equity Trading Tips for Volatile Markets

Equity trading in India has been on a rise in the last couple of years. But so has been market volatility. Hence, it is important to understand factors that can make trading in equity a fruitful exercise.

These equity trading tips will come handy while chalking out an investment strategy for effectively handling the volatility in the markets:
  • Stick around for the long-term
Sometimes, not taking action is the best action. Investors who take up trading in equity with a long-term view (at least a five-year time frame), do not keep on tracking the markets daily. Hence, they do not panic or get worried in the face of market fluctuations. It is best to review one’s investments on a bi-annual or annual basis.
  • Step into the market
A bearish or volatile market presents good opportunities for investors who have been waiting along with sidelines to make their entry. One can get stocks of good companies that have fallen just because of the market conditions. Not only would you be able to get more units (because of the low price) but also the net yield in the long term would be higher when compared with the cost of investment.
  • Average out the cost of purchase
As mentioned in the earlier point, the per-unit cost of stocks can come down in a bearish phase. The rupee cost averaging philosophy can help in reducing the average purchase cost of trading in equity over a period of time. For instance, let us assume that the average cost of one stock was Rs. 250 before the slump. If the market continues to fall (Rs. 200, Rs. 175 and Rs. 150) and the investor buys the same quantity as earlier, then the average cost of purchase comes down to Rs. 193.
  • Book profits
It is a wise choice to take out profits at regular intervals, especially when the market is going through turbulent times. In such scenarios, there is a high degree of overnight risk. So, all your profits can be wiped out at the blink of an eye. The FIFO approach works best. One should track their earlier investments and if they have generated sufficient profits, one can opt to sell them. The proceeds generated can fund a financial goal or can be used to invest elsewhere.
  • Gracefully exit from non-performers
In spite of the best equity trading tips, one is bound to make mistakes. That is, in fact, the name of the game. One should periodically review the stocks and identify the non-performing ones. If they have run their course, one should consider exiting from them during volatile times. The funds generated can be used to invest in other stocks with better prospects.
  • Go Long and Short
In times of volatility when one is unsure about the market performance, it is a wise decision to have a portion of the capital invested in short trades. One should not have a complete long-only portfolio. For example, in the case of moderately bullish investors, the ratio of long to short is recommended at 65:35.
  • Covered Call
Covered Call is one of the most highly recommended options strategies. It is effective in optimizing returns in a moderately volatile scenario wherein the price of the underlying asset lies within a small/tight range and the premiums are high. Other widely used options equity trading strategies that can be used to make money during market volatility include short straddles, iron condor, etc. But it is best to seek help from experts to effectively execute these strategies.


Things to avoid when the markets become volatile

The list for equity trading tips will not be complete with only the DOs. One also needs to be aware of the DONTs or the mistakes to avoid in equity share trading.
  • Panic or contingency sell
Knee-jerk reactions and decisions based on speculation are the death of a smart equity trading strategy. Whenever the market is volatile, a sense of fear grips most investors. However, the important thing is to not act on that feeling without any research. Before taking any decision, one should carefully evaluate the reasons for the stock value going down.
  • Go for the cheapest option
Trading in equity is not only about the numbers. One should not just pick up stocks merely because they are available at really low price levels. Rather than making money for you, it could end up being a value trap. One should carefully analyze factors such as the stock’s track record, revenues, stability, PE Ratios, debt and equity ratios, etc. before taking a call.
  • Leveraged bets
Borrowed capital (or leverage) to fund equity trading may not be a good idea when the markets are volatile. Practices such as leverage and margin investing work both ways. When the times are good, they can generate high returns, but in case of a slump, the losses are also magnified. Hence, it is better to avoid in times of instability.


Final Words

Volatility in the market is not always an adversary. It also provides opportunities to invest at better (read more cost-effective) valuations and leads to market corrections. The idea is to remain cautious and alert and not fall prey to grapevine rumors or take knee-jerk reactions. And now that you know the DOs and DON’Ts, you can safely do equity trading in India (and also anywhere else in the world).

One can also take the services of professional experts for equity trading in India who can help you navigate market volatility with ease. IndiaNivesh is one such partner who offers a wide range of financial services (equities, derivatives, commodities, mutual funds, insurance, IPO and online trading). Their “client-first approach” ensures that each customer gets customized inputs based on their financial goals, risk appetite, and investment horizon. So, whether you are new to trading in equity or just looking for some expert advice, IndiaNivesh can help you out. So, make sure you take help from the best and then even the worst of the market fluctuations will not trouble your trading aspirations.





Disclaimer: Investment in securities market / Mutual Funds are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

PREVIOUS STORY

How does Share Market Work in India?

Posted by Mehul Kothari | Published on 01 Aug 2019

There are many investment avenues available for individual investors. Right from fixed income options to equity-related products, there can be many options to choose from, depending on investors’ risk appetite and time horizon. Though the share market is a popular investment choice, many individuals don’t understand how share market works. Given the technicalities involved, it is not surprising. So, let’s breakdown the concept of share market and understand how share market works.What is the share market?In the simplest of terms, the share market is the platform that allows investors and traders to buy and sell shares, derivatives or bonds. The share market, therefore, acts as a middleman between the investors and the companies offering their securities for sale.Participants of the share marketBefore understanding what is share market and how it works, it is important to understand the participants which constitute the share market. A share market has four main participants which are as follows –1. SEBI – The regulatory bodyThe Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), is the head of the share market which acts as its regulator. It lays down the rules of the share market and the market participants, as well as the traders and investors, have to follow the rules and guidelines prescribed by SEBI. SEBI also governs and monitors the working of the share market and ensures that the market works as per the prescribed guidelines.2. Stock Exchange – The platformStock Exchange is the place where the shares and derivatives are listed and traded. There are two stock exchanges in India – the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange (NSE).3. Brokers – The middlemenBrokers are individuals or companies who are authorized to conduct buying and selling of stocks and derivatives listed on the stock exchange on behalf of their clients. For rendering their services, brokers get a brokerage on the amount that they transact.4. Investors and traders – The playersInvestors and traders are the final participants who buy and sell securities on the stock exchange. They can be an individual or a company.How share market works?Now that you know the important participants of the share market, it is time to understand how share market works. The following process is a step-by-step guide to the workings of a share market: There are two stock markets – primary and secondary. To be able to trade its securities on the stock market, a company has to get listed on the primary stock market. This listing is done through an IPO (Initial Public Offering) wherein the company offers its stock to the public to trade for the first time. The company is required to issue an offer document containing the details of the IPO, the company details, the stock being issued, etc. The company would also have to register itself with SEBI and the stock market. Once the company is successfully listed, it's stock trades on the secondary market. The secondary market is the platform wherein the traders and investors buy and sell stocks of the listed companies. Since there are thousands of investors who want to trade on the listed securities, it becomes impossible for them to assemble at one platform for trading. That is where brokers come into the picture. Brokers represent a set of investors and trade on their behalf. Brokers are also registered with the stock exchange and serve as an intermediary between the participating company and the investors. If you, as an investor, want to buy a particular stock at a particular price, you have to communicate your purchase desire to your broker. The broker would then process your order on the stock exchange. Your broker lists your purchase order on the exchange which, in turn, searches for a seller willing to sell the stock that you want. When the seller is found, a price is fixed and the exchange informs the broker of the confirmation of the purchase order. The broker then informs you and you need to pay the money to purchase the requested stock. The details of the buyer and seller are also confirmed by the exchange to ensure that an authentic transaction is taking place and that there would not be any default by either of the parties in buying or selling the stock. Once the records of the buyer and seller are recorded, the exchange starts the process of transferring the ownership of the stock. This process is called settlement and it takes T+2 days for the actual transfer to complete. This means that, if you request to buy a share today, the share would be bought and deposited in your Demat account the day after tomorrow. It is also the responsibility of the exchange to ensure that the purchase goes through without any default. It ensures that the buyer gets the desired number of shares after paying for them. The trading of the stock also impacts its price. The share market is volatile wherein the stock prices rise and fall on a continued basis. This rise and fall are due to the theory of demand and supply and the perception of the participating company which investors have. If investors perceive a company to be very profitable, they would be motivated to buy the shares of such a company. This would increase the demand for the company's shares. As the demand rises, the price of the shares also increases. The same holds true for a stock whose prices plummet. If there are too many sellers looking to sell off their stocks, the company would be perceived in a bad light. As the supply of shares increase and the demand is lower than the supply, the price of the stock would fall. You can also track established indexes like the Nifty 50 to select which companies to invest in. Nifty 50 is a benchmark index that monitors the movement of the share prices of selected bluechip companies. 50 selected companies are tracked by the index covering 13 sectors of the industry. The index, therefore, covers about 65% of the float-adjusted market capitalization of leading companies.Also, when investing, you should understand the types of stocks trading on the stock exchange. There are, broadly, three types of stocks which include the following – Large-cap stocks are stocks belonging to companies that have a large market capitalization. These are those companies which are established from a long time and enjoy a very good reputation. Mid-cap stocks are stocks that belong to companies which have a medium market capitalization. These companies lie between the spectrum of large-cap and small-cap companies having a market capitalization ranging between INR 5000 crores to INR 20,000 crores. Small-cap stocks are stocks belonging to companies that are relatively new in the market and have a low market capitalization. The art of investing in the share marketUnderstanding what is share market and how it works is not enough. You should also understand how to invest. Always understand your risk appetite before investing in a stock market. Though the market promises good returns, there is an equally high chance of a loss when the market falls. You should, therefore, invest only up to the limit which suits your risk profile.Always study the market and the participating stocks before selecting a particular stock for yourself. Do a trend analysis of the price movement of the selected stock and go through market predictions. Don't get too emotional in case of falling markets because, given time, the market can correct itself.Be patient with your investments and invest only what you can afford. Don’t get greedy about the returns. Start small and then build up your investment as you learn the ropes of share market investing. Take the help of a good broker who has the required expertise in the field to guide you to invest wisely. IndiaNivesh is an online platform wherein you can get expert guidance on how share market works in India. You can trust IndiaNivesh’s experts to give you investment advice suitable to your risk profile. Your money is hard-earned and at IndiaNivesh you can make your money work harder to give you a good corpus.Disclaimer: Investment in securities market / Mutual Funds are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

read more

NEXT STORY

Understanding Stock Market Trends & their Types in India

Mehul Kothari द्वारा पोस्ट | 01 Aug 2019 को प्रकाशित |

Switch on a news channel when it is talking about the market and you are likely to hear a discussion about what the stock market trend was today and experts sharing their inputs on the Indian stock market trend analysis. But to make any sense of those discussions, it is important to know the trends in stock markets and their impact on our trading decisions.What is a trend in stock market parlance?Most investors look at the stock price chart and see those small lines going up and down. However, beneath all the daily fluctuations (or no movements sometimes) is a particular market trend. A trend is nothing but the general direction of the movement of the stock market or an asset’s price. Timing your transactions plays a key role in making money in the stock market. Correct understanding of what is the current trend in the stock market enables the investors as well as traders to make their buy or sell decisions. When the market is moving upwards (stock prices are on the rise) it is called a bullish trend. On the other hand, when the market moves down south and stock prices fall considerably, it is referred to as a bearish trend. How to know the stock market trend today?So, can you look at the stock price of a day and establish what is the stock market trend today? The answer is No. The Stock Market trend today is not decided basis only today’s stock price but rather its movement when compared to the earlier time points. Trends get established over a longer period. To know the stock market trend one needs to look at the movements for a certain period of time. There is no fixed guideline or specified duration for the movements to be considered as a trend. However, it is said that the longer the duration of the movement (irrespective of the direction – upward or downward), more noteworthy or reliable the trend is considered.What is Trend AnalysisTrend Analysis is the process of making use of the current trends (or past data) to predict future movements. For instance, with the help of stock market trend analysis experts try to make a forecast if a specific market sector which is currently growing will continue to do so in the upcoming future.How to identify trends in the stock market?Before we let you know how to identify trends in the stock market, you need to understand some important terminologies and the types of market trends. When you want to interpret a stock chart, think of your last visit to the mountains. Like how you would have observed many hills or valleys there, you would see such points even on a stock market. These are the points we will be talking about. Peaks or Tops This term is similar to the peaks of mountains. The highest or topmost price point that a stock touches is referred to as the “Peaks”. Troughs or Bottoms The lowest or minimum price point that a stock falls to is called the "Trough".Stock Market Trends Market trends are divided into three categories: Uptrend An uptrend describes the price movement of a financial asset when the overall direction is upward. In the case of an uptrend, the stock chart creates new milestones. Both the ends – peaks as well as troughs keep going further successively. Hence, on a continuous and regular basis, the stock’s price would touch a new high or fall lower than what it did before. However, one important thing to understand is that it may not be the lifetime low or high. This is the movement or status in the last few days, weeks or maybe months (depending on the duration of the trend).As long as the price keeps on making the higher swings, the uptrend remains intact. The steady rise in peaks and troughs indicates a positive sentiment in the market. The general expectation is that the stock would appreciate more rather than depreciate. Downtrend  In the case of a downtrend, the stock price keeps on falling continuously. In addition to the successive tops getting lower, the successive bottoms are also lower. The general view in case of a downtrend is that the stock value will fall further. Usually, no further buying transactions take place and investors use each peak (however little it may be) to sell off their current stock quota. Sideways Trend A sideways trend is a phase of ambiguity. The stock prices do not move significantly in either direction over an extended time frame. Both tops and bottoms continue to be constant. There is no notable movement to enable the market participants to make a buying or selling decision.Distribution DaysRemember that old saying, “All good things must come to an end”. It applies to the stock market as well. Eventually, in all up-trending markets, there comes a time when the selling activities overtake the buying activities. The day when the index closes (from the earlier day) on a higher volume (more selling than buying), is referred to as a “Distribution Day”. Market analysts believe that about five such distribution days over five weeks can easily reverse a market trend from upward to downward. Hence, one may pay close attention to Distribution days as they indicate the end possibility for an uptrend.Solid Market Rally Every cloud has a silver lining. One must continue to monitor the market when it enters a downward trend. At some given point of time, it will rally and get better for a couple of days. However, many such rallies are fake outs. Before taking any market-related action one must confirm that there has been a trend change towards the upward direction. This usually comes as an explosive day and signals the market trend has reversed. This in market parlance is referred to as “follow-through day”. On this day, the market closes upwards by a substantial and decisive amount.No new bullish phase has begun without this “follow-through” day. However, it is important to note that not every such day will lead to a new start (bull market). It just gives an indication and a timely heads-up to the investors (or traders) that they need to keep a constant look-out for their preferable stocks. How to act on stock market trends?There are many platforms (online or otherwise) that offer daily updates about the Indian stock market trend analysis. But before relying on any such analysis, it is important to establish the credibility of the source. IndiaNivesh is one trusted and well-renowned partner whom you can reach out to for stock market related expert opinion. Their team consists of experienced professionals with a deep understanding of the market who have helped investors create wealth for the last eleven years. The IndiaNivesh website has live updates and expert insights that help you make informed decisions. Now that you know what are the possible trends in the stock market and also know a reliable expert who can help you realize your financial goals, what are you waiting for? Remember, time is money!   Disclaimer: Investment in securities market / Mutual Funds are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

अधिक पढ़ें

Are you Investment ready?

*All fields are mandatory

related stories view all

  • Commodity Market – Different Types of Commodity Market in India
    Posted by Rushabh H. Mehta | Published on 28 Feb 2020

    The commodity market in India has seen a sharp increase in the volumes over the past few years. Commodities are just another asset class like the bond and equity market. Commodities come from the earth and act as raw material for all types of manufacturing businesses. There are many types of commodities that can be traded in the market. In this article, you will learn about commodity trading in India, types of commodity market and other aspects of the commodity market in India. Let us begin by understanding the meaning of commodity. Meaning of Commodity A commodity is a group of goods or assets that are used in our day to day lives such as metals, agriculture, energy, etc. A commodity can be categorised as movable good that can be purchased and sold, except for money and actionable claims. There are various types of commodities that are traded in India. Let us look at the types of commodities. Types of Commodities Traded In India Agriculture: Wheat, Cotton, Rice, Corn, etc. Metals: Copper, Zinc, Gold, Silver, etc. Energy: Natural Gas, Crude Oil, Heating Oil, etc. Meat and Livestock: Cattle, Egg, etc. Let us now learn how you can invest in the commodity market in India. How to Invest in Commodity Market in India? You can commence commodity trading in India in any of the six major commodity trading exchanges as listed below; Indian Commodity Exchange – ICEX Ace Derivatives Exchange – ACE National Multi Commodity Exchange – NMCE The Universal Commodity Exchange – UCX Multi Commodity Exchange – MCX National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange – NCDEX From the above MCX and NCDEX are the most popular exchanges. List of Commodities Traded on Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) Metals: Aluminium, Brass, Copper, Zinc, Lead, Nickel. Bullion: Gold, Silver. Agri Commodities: Rubber, Black Pepper, Mentha Oil, Crude Palm Oil, Palmolien, Cardamom, Cotton, Castor Seed. Energy: Natural Gas, Crude Oil. List of Commodities Traded on National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX) Fibres: Cotton, Guar Gum, Guar Seed, Kappa’s Oil and Oilseeds: Crude Palm Oil, Cotton Seed Oil Cake, Castor Seed, Mustard Seed, Refined Soy Oil, Soybean Soft: Sugar Cereals and pulses: Wheat, Barley, Paddy, Chana, Maize Rabi, Maize Kharif / South Spices: Jeera, Turmeric, Coriander, Pepper. Let us now learn about the commodities that are most traded. Most Traded Commodities Natural gas, crude oil, gold, silver, cotton, corn, wheat are among the most traded commodities globally. Crude oil and gold are among the most favourite commodities among the traders and investors community. Crude oil is used for producing diesel, petroleum, etc. It is very volatile during global tensions. OPEC is the consortium of oil-producing nations that determine the supply of crude oil. The main oil-producing nations are Russia, US, Saudi Arabia, etc. Just like crude, gold is among the most popular commodity Indian people invest in. The price of gold has an inverse relationship with the US dollar. When the price of the US dollar falls, the prices of gold increase and when the price of the US dollar increases, the prices of gold falls. Let us now learn about the participants in the commodity market. Participants of Commodity Market Speculators Speculators are traders that constantly monitor the price of commodities and predict the future price movement. If the speculators expect the prices of the commodity to move higher, they purchase commodity contract and sell them when the price goes up. Similarly, when they expect the price to go low, they sell commodity contracts and purchase back when the price falls. Thus, the intention of speculators is to make a profit in any type of market. Hedgers Hedgers are the producers, manufacturers, etc. who safeguard their risk by using the commodity futures market. Like for example, if a cotton farmer expects price fluctuation during crop harvesting, he can hedge his position. To hedge the risk, the farmer enters into a futures contract. If the price of the crop falls in the local market, the farmer can compensate for the loss by making profits in the future market. Similarly, if there is an increase in the price during crop harvesting, the farmer can book loss in the futures market and compensate it by selling his crop at a higher price in the local market. Let us now learn about the benefits of trading in the commodity market. Benefits of Trading in the Commodity Market Management of Risk The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) ensures that the exchanges have proper risk management procedures in place to protect the investors. Therefore, trading in commodities is regarded as very safe. Transparency Trading on the commodity exchanges is very transparent and the buyers or sellers cannot manipulate the price. The price discovery is done without any manipulation and orders are executed only when there is a match between a buyer’s and seller’s order. The margins in commodity markets are low, therefore traders use this market to hedge their position and for higher leverage. There are many benefits of trading in the commodity market. However, there are some important things that you must know while trading in such a market. Things to Know While Trading in Commodity Market The demand and supply chain determines the prices of commodity and you must have a clear idea about it. The prices of commodities depend on various factors and your strategies must be framed after understanding those factors. As a beginner, it is always advisable to take the help of experts before starting commodity trading. The risk in commodity trading is higher because you get higher leverage. The above mentioned are a few things that one must know before indulging in commodity trading in India. As a beginner or seasoned investor, you can contact IndiaNivesh for any assistance relating to the Indian commodity market. Our experts and professionals can help you in finding the best commodity to trade in India according to your risk-taking ability and financial goals. Our aim is to exceed the client’s expectation in all endeavours and we will be glad to serve you.   Disclaimer: Investment in securities market / Mutual Funds are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing. 

    read more
  • Systematic Withdrawal Plans – How to use SWP?
    Posted by Mehul Kothari | Published on 20 Nov 2019

    Mutual Funds are to financial markets what star kids are to Bollywood – the talk of the town. Campaigns like “Mutual Funds Sahi Hain” have helped to spread awareness about the benefits of mutual funds to the masses. One of the most commonly used MF terms is SIP or Systematic Investment Plans. However, not much is known or talked about its better half – Systematic Withdrawal Plans or SWP. SWPs are considered as the opposite of SIP. Read on to know more about SWPs and how it can be beneficial for you. SWP – Meaning in Mutual Fund parlance Systematic Withdrawal Plan is a facility which allows investors to take out a pre-decided amount from their existing Mutual Fund investments at pre-determined time durations. The frequency of withdrawal can be chosen by the investors basis their requirements. It can be monthly, quarterly, bi-annually or annually. Basis the amount withdrawn in SWP, the equivalent units (as per the NAV on the day of withdrawal) are redeemed. Key features of SWP in Mutual Funds: It generates a regular stream of cash inflows Offers flexibility to investors in terms of withdrawal amount and frequency Can be started at the time of starting investment in a Mutual Fund scheme or can be activated at a later date in an existing scheme. Many investors prefer the SWP route to dividends. This is because dividends attract DDT (Dividend Distribution Tax) while long-term capital gains (till Rs. 1 Lakh) under SWP are exempt from tax. There is an option in SWP to customize the withdrawals: Fixed Withdrawal Option - You can decide to take out a specific amount on a periodic basis. Appreciation Withdrawal Option- If you want to preserve your capital, you can decide to withdraw only the amount of capital gains.  Setting up a Systematic Withdrawal Plan is a simple process. All you need to do is fill up the SWP Form (with the details like the amount to be withdrawn, periodicity etc.) and submit to the fund house or your distributor. Benefits of Systematic Withdrawal Plan Mutual Funds:1. A fixed source of income Systematic Withdrawal Plans become a fixed source of income for investors. For working individuals, it helps to supplement salary or business income. It can also be used as a steady source of income post-retirement.2. Discipline Just like Systematic Investment Plans, SWPs also help to instil a sense of disciplined investing. In SIP you need to invest a fixed sum of money on a regular basis. SWPs automatically redeem pre-determined units of mutual funds, irrespective of market levels. One can plan their monthly expenses as per the SWP amount, which will help them to remain within the budget. Secondly, the fixed withdrawal limit protects you from impulse sell or buy decisions in case of market fluctuations.3. Rupee Cost Averaging Rupee Cost Averaging enables investors to eliminate the need to time their market related decisions. Mutual Fund’s Net Asset Value(NAV) keeps on changing from time to time. Through SWP, investors get the average NAV of the MF over a long duration of time. Hence, it protects them from market fluctuations and ensures that investors do not become dependent on any particular NAV.4. Tax efficiencies From a tax perspective, each withdrawal under SWP is treated the same as equity or debt mutual funds. As the tax is applied only on the amount redeemed, SWP becomes a more tax-efficient alternative as compared to Fixed Deposits or lump sum withdrawals. They are preferred to Dividend Plans too for the same reason. Dividend payouts attract DDT (Dividend Distribution Tax) which is deducted by the AMC before the payout. SWP allows  optimising the tax on capital gains by holding the investments for a longer tenure and splitting the income over multiple time periods. How to use SWPs effectively? All investors can benefit from SWP in Mutual Funds. Here are some examples in which you can include them effectively in your financial planning- Retirement Planning SWP is a great strategy to fund financial needs post-retirement. This facility is especially handy for retirees who do not have a pension or other such regular source of income. Supplement salary income Salaried individuals can use SWP as a second source of income. It can help them fund specific financial goals such as children’s education, purchase of consumer goods, paying off loans, etc. Freelancers The biggest challenge faced by freelancers or self-employed professionals is lack of a steady or fixed income. There may be months where they would be minting money but there could be some dry spells as well. In such cases SWPs help to bring stability to one’s financial life. Nearing your financial goals Many investors use SWP in an extremely smart manner, especially when the markets are doing well. They invest in an equity mutual fund as they have the potential to generate higher returns. Once they reach their desired corpus, they can opt for an SWP. Through this facility, they move the funds from the equity investments to a relatively safer/ non-volatile option such as Bank Deposits, etc.   Final Words Systematic Withdrawal Plans help to cultivate a sense of financial discipline. It can be effectively used as a means to fund your monthly expenses or finance your (or your parent’s) retired life. Not only does it offer regular income but also ensures a controlled and budgeted approach to spending. However, you should try to withdraw only the interest part and keep the capital amount intact. In case you are unable to decide how much is too much, it is best to seek the help of an expert like IndiaNivesh. The team at IndiaNivesh can help you choose the right Mutual Fund scheme and the correct SWP amount basis your financial needs and investment tenure. They also offer a wide range of financial solutions related to broking and distribution, institutional equities, strategic investments, investment banking and wealth management. You can read all about them on https://www.indianivesh.in.Disclaimer: "Investment in securities market and Mutual Funds are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing."

    read more
  • Commodity Investment – Reasons to Invest in Commodity Market
    Posted by Mehul Kothari | Published on 07 Nov 2019

    The world of investments has a vast number of financial instruments such as shares, stocks, bonds and many more. Commodities, too, are one such investment option available for investment. Even though the commodity market has grown substantially in the last few years, the participation of retail investors in commodities is still limited. However, the commodity market has huge potential and making the right investments in commodities can help improve the performance of your portfolio. What are commodities? Commodities are tangible goods that are either naturally occurring or can be agriculturally grown.  Commodities are consumed directly or used as raw materials for manufacturing finished goods meant for public consumption. All commodities can be classified under either of the two categories- Soft commodities- Those, that are grown and cannot be stored for an extended period. Examples of soft commodities include agricultural products such as grains, tea, coffee, and livestock. Hard commodities- Those, that are obtained through mining and extraction. Example of hard commodities includes oil, metals and natural gas. Why should you invest in the commodities market? Commodities play an important role in the development process and hence are building blocks of every economy. Commodity investments can help you diversify your portfolio into a different asset class apart from shares and bonds and enhance the overall returns of your investments. For many of you, the general perception is that the commodity market is complex and hence not something that everyone can dabble into. However, commodity investments can fetch you handsome returns.  Here are the top three reasons to invest in commodity markets for all types of investors-1. To diversify your portfolio  One of the key factors that determine the success of your financial planning is diversification. Diversification with regards to investment portfolio means investing in various assets that are not correlated to each other of your portfolio in different asset classes. Most of you would be diversifying your portfolio in five major asset classes which include cash, shares, fixed income securities, real estate, and gold. In times of increased volatility in the markets, you are either holding on to cash or investing in gold. Gold is considered the safest haven for investment in turbulent times and Indians tend to invest in gold because it is considered as a symbol of wealth and has ornamental value. However, in reality, the gold in your portfolio is your investment in commodity and just like all the other commodities the returns from it are independent of the returns generated by stocks and bonds. Just like gold, there are other commodity investments whose returns are not correlated to equities and bond markets. The price of any commodity investment is a function of demand and supply and by doing proper research and analysis you can make profits from commodity market investments.2. To provide a hedge against inflation Inflation is the general rise in the price of goods and services over time. For any investment to be fruitful, it is important that the returns generated beat the rate of inflation.  Higher inflation effectively erodes the real returns generated by your investments in stocks and fixed income securities. However, in the case of commodities, higher inflation relates to the higher price of commodities. So, unlike other investments, your commodity investments will result in a strong performance when inflation is high. Given the current situation when inflation is constantly on the rise, investing in commodities will provide a hedge against inflation.3. To improve potential returns The prices of individual commodities can fluctuate significantly due to several factors such as demand and supply, the impact of natural calamities, exchange rates and the economic health of the nation.  The rise in infrastructure projects in a developing country like ours and also globally has had a positive impact on commodity prices. As the commodity market is still an untapped arena, many of them are trading at a lower price than their actual potential. Proper research and effective implementation of investment strategy in commodities can help investors improve the overall returns on their portfolio. What are the various options to invest in commodities? The commodities market is a very deep market and investors have many investment vehicles to access it.  Let us look at the various options available for investors to buy and sell commodities1) Investing in the physical form Commodities such as gold, silver, etc., are bought by investors in physical form.  However, not all commodities can be bought in physical form as it has its drawbacks of storage and spoilage. Even in the case of precious metals security and insurance increase the cost of your investment. Moreover, most of the time you want to invest in a commodity, not for end-use but to make profits if you anticipate that the price will increase. So, buying a commodity in physical form, except for precious metals, is generally not recommended for retail investors.2) Investment through commodity futures One of the most common ways to trade in commodities is through a commodities futures contract. It is a standardised agreement to buy or sell fixed quantities of the underlying commodity at a predetermined price on a specific date as mentioned in the contract. Also, commodity trades happen electronically through commodity exchanges where investing real-time commodity is possible.  Multi Commodity Exchange of India (MCX), National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX) are two of the many commodity exchanges present in the country which help investors trade in commodities. All the commodity exchanges come under the regulation of the Forward Markets Commission (FMC). 3) Commodity ETFs Commodity ETFs are another popular investment option available for retail investors to diversify their holdings in commodities. Commodity ETFs invest in a single commodity and physically hold and store it, invest in a commodity futures contract or invest in a commodity index that tracks the performance of multiple commodities. Investors can invest in commodity ETFs electronically in their Demat account. 4) Commodity Stocks Investors who are not comfortable with investing in commodity futures or ETFs can diversify their portfolio in commodities is by investing in commodity stocks. Commodity stocks are stocks of those companies which are directly or indirectly related in the manufacturing process of the commodity and hence have a positive correlation with the commodity.  For example, if you feel that the steel prices are going to increase, then you can invest in the stocks of various steel companies listed on the exchange. 5) Mutual funds One of the biggest reasons for an investor to shy away from commodity investment is that commodity investments require a lot of time, knowledge and expertise to make the right investment choices. However, now SEBI has permitted mutual funds to invest in the commodities market through the exchange-traded commodities derivatives (ETCD) route.  Thus, retail investors can now participate in commodity markets in a structured manner through professionally managed mutual funds. Takeaway Commodities are a broad and diversified asset class that offers a great investment opportunity to investors. Given the high inflationary pressure and volatility in the markets, dedicating a small portion of your portfolio to commodities will help enhance the overall performance of your investments. Investing in commodities may look intimidating and you may feel a little hesitant to explore your options, but correct guidance from an experienced financial advisor can help you understand the nuances of commodity markets and make the right investment decisions as per your investment needs. Financial advisors at IndiaNivesh possess the requisite expertise and experience to help and guide you with investments in commodities markets.Disclaimer: Investment in securities market / Mutual Funds are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

    read more