Understanding Equity Trading

Equity trading, a fundamental aspect of financial markets, involves the buying and selling of company shares on various exchanges. This dynamic and complex form of trading allows investors to participate in the ownership and profits of publicly listed companies. Understanding the intricacies of equity trading is crucial for those navigating the financial landscape, as it empowers investors to make informed decisions, capitalise on market opportunities, and contribute to the dynamic world of stocks and investments. In this blog, we will understand the essentials of equity trading.

Defining Equity Trading

The buying and selling of a firm’s shares or stocks that are listed on the stock exchange are referred to as equity trading in the stock market. A company’s share or equity is a financial asset that signifies ownership in a business. These shares are available for purchase by investors through brokers or online trading platforms, and they can choose to hold them for a short or long time.

Basics Everyone Should Know

• The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange are the two main stock markets in India (NSE).
• The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is in charge of guaranteeing the proper functioning of the stock market and overseas equity trading in India.
• There are two types of equity trading: cash trading and trading in derivatives. The actual delivery of shares occurs between the buyer and seller when trading in cash. Investors can trade a variety of financial products, such as futures and options contracts, whose value is derived from the underlying stocks, in derivatives trading.
• Equity trading gives investors a chance to take part in the economy’s expansion and can deliver enticing returns over the long haul.
• Prior to investing, careful research and analysis of businesses and market trends are necessary because it also carries risks.

Working of Equity Trading

To elucidate equity trading, imagine you have decided to sell a portion of your ownership in a parlour to someone else. You could achieve this by offering shares in your business to a potential co-owner. The price of each share might increase or decrease depending on how well the parlour is doing. Each share represents a small portion of ownership in the business. With a stock exchange like the NSE or the BSE, companies can sell their ownership shares to the general public. These shares can be purchased by anyone who wants to own a portion of the business. You are effectively purchasing a minor stake in the company when you purchase a share.

Depending on how well the firm is performing and what investors are willing to pay for it, the share price may increase or decrease. Consider purchasing 10 shares of a business that manufactures cell phones for ₹1,000 each. By doing so, you have contributed ₹10,000 to the business. You might be able to sell your shares for a profit if the business does well, and its stock price increases. You could lose money, though, if the company performs poorly and its stock price declines. Trading stocks carries dangers, but it also offers potential for growth and financial gain. To purchase and sell shares, you can do it either through a broker or an Internet trading platform. You may develop your skills as an equity trader in the Indian stock market with time and practice.

Role of Equity Trading

The financial sector and the economy of India both rely heavily on equity trading. Following are some main arguments in favour  of equity trading:

• Equity trading gives businesses a way to raise funds by offering shares to the general public. Then, with the help of this money, businesses can run smoothly, flourish, or finance new endeavours that will drive economic development and employment.
• Equity trading gives people a chance to put money into businesses with the possibility of getting a return. In the long run, equity investments have traditionally produced larger returns than other asset types like bonds or cash, which can help people increase their wealth.
• Stock trading offers a brisk and simple market where investors can purchase and sell shares due to its liquidity. Due to this, it is simpler for businesses to obtain money and for investors to sell their holdings when necessary. As a result, stock prices are more likely to be influenced by supply and demand than by forcible inflation or deflation.
• Stock trading aids in price discovery, which means that supply and demand factors influence stock prices. This makes sure that, based on the company’s financial performance and growth forecasts, stock prices accurately reflect the company’s genuine value.
• Stock markets are frequently used as a gauge of the state of the economy as a whole. Insights on investor confidence and expectations for the future can be gleaned from stock prices, which can then be used to forecast the economy and guide policy choices.

Reason to Choose Equity Trading Over Other Methods

Depending on a person’s financial objectives, risk tolerance, and investment horizon, equities trading may not be the ideal option for them. The following are some explanations as to why someone might favour stock trading over other forms of trading.

• In the past, compared to other asset classes like bonds or cash, equity investments have historically offered stronger returns over the long term. Equity trading may have a larger risk, but it also has a higher potential gain.
• By investing in various businesses and industries, equity trading gives investors a way to diversify their portfolios. Spreading the risk across several investments can help decrease it.
• High liquidity is offered by equity trading, making it very simple to acquire and sell equities. For investors who need immediate access to their money, this may be advantageous.
• Information about corporations and their financial performance is easily accessible, and equity markets are quite transparent. This makes it simpler for investors to decide wisely and steer clear of fraud or poor management.
• Trading in equity enables investors to actively manage their holdings. They can undertake due diligence on businesses, monitor their progress, and decide whether to buy or sell shares.

Risks of Equity Trading

• Trading, as a whole, is a risky thing and so is equity trading. Investors should be ready to put up with brief variations in stock prices.
• Since the stock market can be turbulent in the short term, investors should have a long-term time horizon for their equity investments.

A person’s financial objectives, risk tolerance, and investment horizon should be taken into consideration when deciding whether to engage in stock trading over other types of trading. Furthermore, when considering trading strategies, it’s important to evaluate factors such as risk tolerance, investment horizon, and financial goals. For instance, when contemplating whether to pursue equity trading or alternative trading approaches, understanding what is a long-short strategy can be valuable in making an informed decision tailored to your individual investment objectives and risk preferences.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)