Investing
Investing is the key to building wealth and long-term financial stability. Studies show that historically, investing in stocks and other assets outperforms the rate of inflation, helping your money grow over time. As Warren Buffett advises, “If you aren’t willing to own a stock for ten years, don’t even think about owning it for ten minutes.”
Who is Investor & What an Investor Do?
An investor is a party, person, or institution that provides financial capital in the form of money with expectations to receive a return on investment. People invest their money into different financial instruments, assets, and ventures in hopes of letting it grow over the years. An investor’s willingness to accept risk can differ in investment choices depending on factors including financial goals, assumed risk, and timeline.
- Angel Investment: Meaning, Working and Types
- What are Venture Capitalists & How it Works?
- Seed Financing: Meaning, Types, Stages & Sources
- Venture Capital Funding | Characteristics, Investment Process, Advantages and Disadvantages
- Difference between Angel Investors and Venture Capitalists
- What is Equity Crowdfunding and How it Works?
- How I invested my 10 lakhs salary to get the maximum return in 2023?
Table of Content
- A. Stock Market
- B. Stocks
- C. Commodities
- D. Mutual Funds
- E. Bonds
- F. ETF
- G. Real Estate
- H. Cryptocurrency
- I. Sustainable Investing
- J. Income Tax – Taxes
- K. Fintech
- L. Financial Planning
- M. Retirement Planning
- N. Budgeting & Saving
- Investing – FAQs
A. Stock Market
Stock market provides a dynamic platform for individuals and institutions to buy and sell shares in publicly traded companies. For decades, stock market investing has been a crucial component of wealth building. Research by Siegel (2014) demonstrates that over long time horizons, stocks tend to outperform other asset classes.
- How to Invest in Share Market or Stock Market?
- Blue Chip Stocks: Meaning, Features and Risks
- What is Call Option & How it Works?
- Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE): Full Form, Features, Functions and Importance
- National Stock Exchange Fifty (NIFTY): Full Form, Calculation, Advantages and Disadvantages
- Futures in Stock Market: Futures Contracts & Trading
- What is Stock Market and How it Works?
- What are Options and How it Works?
- What is Paper Trading and How it Works?
- Primary Market: Functions, Types, Advantages & Disadvantages
- Secondary Market: Functions, Types, Instruments & Importance
- What is Sweat Equity and How it Works?
- Stockbroker: Meaning, Work, Types & Qualifications
- Over-Hedging: Meaning, Causes, Effects & Examples
- Intraday Trading: How to do, Benefits and Risks
- Top 10 Best Value Stocks in India 2023
- Penny Stocks | Meaning, Working, Advantages and Disadvantages
- Types of Capital Market
- Multibagger Stocks | Concept, Characteristics and Risk Associated
- Securities: Types, Investment, Regulation, Examples & Advantages
- Small-cap Stocks | Meaning, Features and Advantages
- Top 10 Best Trading Apps in India 2023
1. Stock Market Brokers
List of 10 Stock Market Brokers
- Groww
- Zerodha
- Angel One
- Upstox
- ICICI direct
- Kotak Securities
- HDFC Securities
- Motilal Oswal
- SBI Securities
- Sharekhan
2. Stock Market Apps
Stock market apps allow you to monitor investments, track market movements, and even buy and sell stocks directly from your phone. These apps can be a valuable tool for both novice and experienced investors, providing real-time data and analysis to help you make informed investment decisions. With a variety of features and functionalities available, there’s a stock market app out there to suit every investor’s needs.
- Zerodha
- Groww
B. Stocks
Stocks, also known as equities, are essentially certificates of ownership in a company. When you buy stock, you’re buying a share of that company, and with it comes a claim on its profits and a vote in its future. The price of the stock fluctuates based on the company’s performance and investor sentiment. Understanding stocks is a stepping stone to investing in the stock market.
Shares
When the total capital of the company is divided into units of small denominations, it is known as shares. For example, if the total capital of the company is ₹ 5,00,000, divided into 10,000 units of ₹50 each, each unit of ₹50 will be called a share (of ₹ 10 each). Thus, in the above case, the company has 1,00,000 shares of ₹10 each. In order to identify the shares, they must be numbered.
Types of Shares
C. Commodities
A commodity is an external object or item fulfilling various human needs, subsequently exchanged for other goods or services. These are typically physical products intended for consumption or use in production, needing more differentiation among themselves. Commodities encompass raw materials, basic resources, and agricultural or mining products like sugar, rice, iron ore, and wheat. Traded within commodity markets, these markets focus on the primary economic sector rather than manufactured goods.
D. Mutual Funds
Mutual funds offer a diversified approach to investing by pooling money from multiple investors to purchase a basket of securities. Research highlights the potential benefits of mutual funds, especially for novice investors. These funds provide professional management, instant diversification, and reduced risk compared to individual stock picking. As fund manager Peter Lynch, puts it, “Owning stocks is like having children – don’t get involved with more than you can handle.”
Mutual Funds basics
- What are Mutual Funds?
- How to Invest in Mutual Funds?
- Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) | Meaning, Benefits and How it works ?
- Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP) | Meaning, Working and Benefits
- Assets Under Management (AUM) – Meaning, Impacts & How to Calculate
- Asset Management Company (AMC) – Meaning, Functions, Fees, Examples
- Expense Ratio | Meaning, Components, Restrictions and Examples
Types of Mutual Funds
- Types of Mutual Funds
- Exchange Traded Funds (ETF) : Meaning, Types & Benefits
- Emerging Market Funds: Features, Suitability and Advantages
- Banking and PSU Funds: Features, Suitability & Advantages
- Credit Risk Mutual Fund: Features, Suitability, Advantages & Disadvantages
- Conservative Mutual Funds: Features, Suitability & Advantages
- Commodity Mutual Funds: Meaning, Features, Suitability & Types
- Money Market Funds: Features, Suitability & Benefits
- Medium Duration Mutual Funds: Features, Suitability & Benefits
- Ultra Short-Term Mutual Funds: Features, Suitability & Benefits
- Closed Ended Mutual Funds: Meaning, Features & Suitability
- International Mutual Funds: Types, Benefits & Factors
- Value Mutual Funds: Suitability, Factors & Benefits
- Corporate Bond Debt Funds – Meaning, Features & Suitability
- Interval Funds – Features, Suitability and Taxation
- Dynamic Asset Allocation Funds – Features, Suitability, Advantages & Disadvantages
- Gilt Funds – Meaning, Features, Suitability, Advantages & Disadvantages
- Aggressive Mutual Funds – Features, Suitability, Advantages and Disadvantages
- Equity Mutual Funds – Features, Types & Benefits
- Liquid Mutual Fund – Features, Suitability, Advantages and Disadvantages
- Dynamic Mutual Funds – Features, Suitability, Advantages and Disadvantages
- Overnight Fund – Features, Suitability, Advantages & Disadvantages
- Balanced Fund | Meaning, Factors, Advantages and Disadvantages
- Index Funds | Working, Factors and Advantages
- Income Funds | Meaning, Features, Working and Benefits
- Arbitrage Funds | Working, Features, Advantages and Disadvantages
- Sector Mutual Funds | Meaning, Types and Factors
- Small-Cap Mutual Funds | Features, Benefits and Taxation Rules
- Mid Cap Mutual Funds | Concept, Features and Benefits
- Large Cap Mutual Funds | Features, Benefits and Taxation Rules
- Multi Cap Funds |Types, Factors and Risks
- Global Mutual Fund | Features, Structure, Pros & Cons and Taxation Rules
- Multi-Asset Allocation Fund | Purpose, Factors, Advantages and Disadvantages
- Real Estate Funds | Meaning, Features, Advantages and Risk Associated
- Contra Mutual Funds | Meaning, Factors and Benefits
- Low Duration Mutual Funds | Working, Advantages ad Disadvantages
- Equity Savings Schemes Funds | Features, Purpose, Advantages and Disadvantages
- Open Ended Funds | Features, Advantages and Disadvantages
- Dividend Yield Mutual Funds: Working, Factors and Benefits
- Focused Fund | Concept, Purpose and Benefits
- Hedge Funds | Features, Benefits and Working
Difference Between Mutual Funds
Mutual Funds – One Complete Guide 2024
E. Bonds
A bond is defined as a debt asset that reflects an investor’s loan to a borrower, usually an authority or a firm. When a company issues a bond, it is borrowing money from investors and promising to pay periodic interest payments (coupon payments) and repay the entire principal amount (face value or par value) at the end of the bond’s term.
F. ETF
Exchange traded funds, commonly known as ETFs, are financial instruments that can be easily traded on a stock exchange like any other securities. ETFs are a combination of mutual funds and equities of the listed company.
G. Real Estate
Real estate can be a lucrative investment with the potential for both income generation and long-term appreciation. As Suze Orman: says “Real estate cannot be lost or stolen, nor can it be carried away. Purchased with common sense…it is about the safest investment in the world.”
H. Cryptocurrency
Cryptocurrency, also known as crypto, is a digital payment system that uses cryptography for security and operates independently of a central bank. Transactions are recorded on a public ledger called a blockchain, making them transparent and verifiable. Unlike traditional currencies, crypto isn’t controlled by a central bank but relies on a decentralized network to verify transactions and issue new units. This makes crypto transactions faster and potentially more secure. This decentralized system aims to provide a secure and tamper-proof way to transfer digital assets.
Cryptocurrency Apps
List of 10 cryptocurrency platform where you can buy, sell and hold cryptocurrency.
- Coinbase
- Binance
- WazirX
- CoinDCX
- Rohinhood
- Gemini
- Crypto.com
- Bybit
- ZebPay
- KuCoin
I. Sustainable Investing
Sustainable investing is a way to grow your money while aligning your values with the health of the planet and society. It considers environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors alongside traditional financial metrics to invest in companies making a positive impact. This approach is gaining traction as investors seek to balance financial returns with creating a more sustainable future.
J. Income Tax – Taxes
Understanding the complexities of income tax is essential for responsible financial planning and compliance. Learning about applicable deductions, exemptions, and tax-saving strategies can significantly reduce tax liabilities. Financial experts often repeat, “Don’t pay more tax than you legally owe.”
- Taxes: Meaning, Types, Calculation & How to File
- What is Income Tax? | Tax Slab | Deductions Allowed
- How to calculate Income Tax on salary (with example)?
- Income Tax Exemptions and Deductions for Salaried Individuals
- What is House Rent Allowance? |How much exemption can be claimed on HRA ?
- What is Section 80C ? | Deductions under 80C
K. Fintech
Fintech is revolutionizing the way we manage money. By using innovative technologies like mobile apps and artificial intelligence, FinTech companies are making financial services faster, cheaper, and more accessible for everyone. This rapidly growing industry is changing everything from payments to investing, with new applications emerging all the time.
L. Financial Planning
Financial planning is the process of thoughtfully managing your income, expenses, and investments to achieve your financial goals. Financial planning is the process of thoughtfully managing your income, expenses, and investments to achieve your financial goals.
M. Retirement Planning
Retirement planning is the process of strategizing to generate income for when you are no longer working. It involves determining your financial needs, setting goals, and creating an investment plan to build your retirement fund.
Types of Retirement Plans
- Atal Pension Yojna (APY): A Complete Guide
- National Pension Scheme (NPS): A Complete Guide
- Public Provident Fund (PPF)
- Annuity Plans
- Retirement-Focused Mutual Fund Schemes
- Employees Provident Fund (EPF)
- Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS)
- Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY)
N. Budgeting & Saving
Budgeting is the process of outlining the estimated income and expenses over a specific period. The process involves planning, organizing, and controlling the financial resources of an organisation or an individual to achieve specific goals within a defined period. The objective of budgeting is to guide in making financial decisions and to ensure that available resources are used efficiently and effectively. It helps to guide the financial performance and stability of the business and encourages to work towards achieving an end goal.
Investing – FAQs
What is investing?
Investing is the act of allocating funds with the expectation of generating returns or profits over time.
Why should I invest?
Investing allows you to grow your wealth, beat inflation, and work towards achieving long-term financial goals such as retirement or buying a home.
What are common types of investments?
Common types of investments include stocks, bonds, mutual funds, real estate, and alternative investments like commodities or cryptocurrencies.
How do I start investing?
Start by setting investment goals, educating yourself about different investment options, and opening an investment account with a brokerage or financial institution.
What are the risks of investing?
Investing involves risks such as market volatility, economic downturns, and the potential loss of principal. Diversification and proper risk management strategies can help mitigate these risks.
What is the difference between stocks and bonds?
Stocks represent ownership in a company and offer the potential for capital appreciation, while bonds are debt securities that pay fixed interest and return the principal amount at maturity.
What is the importance of diversification in investing?
Diversification helps spread investment risk by allocating funds across different asset classes, industries, and geographic regions, reducing the impact of any single investment’s performance on the overall portfolio.
What is the role of risk tolerance in investing?
Risk tolerance refers to an investor’s ability and willingness to endure fluctuations in the value of their investments. Understanding your risk tolerance helps align your investment strategy with your financial goals and comfort level.
How do I research investment opportunities?
Research investment opportunities by analyzing financial statements, market trends, company fundamentals, and economic indicators. Utilize reputable financial websites, news sources, and investment research platforms for insights.
What is the importance of time horizon in investing?
The time horizon refers to the length of time an investor expects to hold an investment before needing to access the funds. Longer time horizons allow investors to take on more risk and potentially benefit from compounding returns.
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