Transformation of The Indian Stock Market

The Indian stock market has witnessed colossal transformation ever since trading first started with the formation of the Bombay Stock Exchange 135 years ago. It was the usual outcry method with transactions being a complicated process as online stock trading not yet introduced. With launch of online trading in the Indian stock market, first by NSE and then by the BSE, the investors count increased in large numbers. India is currently the second fastest developing economy in the world and given the huge growth potential, the count of foreign investors is increasing too.

The Indian stock market is often interpreted as the NSE BSE market as majority of the transactions takes place at these bourses though there are other smaller stock exchanges. Both bourses have been instrumental in steering the Indian stock market towards the present position. It is the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) that monitors the functioning of the stock exchanges besides protecting the interests of investors in securities in the Indian stock market. With appropriate regulations from time to time, this Govt. of India body also promotes the development of the securities market.

The Indian stock market is counted as one of the world’s best performing markets. The NSE today is the second fastest growing stock exchange in the world besides being the world’s third largest Stock Exchange in terms of the number of trades in equities. The BSE, is the 11th largest stock exchange in the world besides being cited as the world's best performing shares market. The stature of the bourses has elevated the position of the Indian stock market in the world map.

Live Stock Market Trading In India

Stock market trading refers to buying and selling of shares through a stock exchange. A Stock Exchange is the place where investors buy and sell their shares of public listed companies.

Once an Indian company goes public it gets listed on a stock exchange of the Indian stock market. A company may go public by inviting the general public to buy the shares of the company through an Initial Public Offering (IPO) or through a Follow-on Public Offer (FPO), thus giving them the opportunity to become part-owners of the company. Myriad investment opportunities are available in the Indian stock market.

After listing, the shares of the company are available for online trading. The new investors, who want to buy the shares of the company, can buy them from shareholders who want to sell their shares.

There are two major stock exchanges in the Indian stock market - the National Stock Exchange (NSE India) and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE India). Investors can buy and sell shares directly from the Indian stock market. However, these exchanges levy a fixed transaction fee. Investment in the Indian stock market can also be done indirectly through a Mutual Fund or an Exchange Traded Fund (ETF). Stocks are characterised by volatility, in other words their price in the stock market is likely to experience large swings in value. However, long-term investing in Indian stocks has proved to be the most profitable for investors. Stock prices have increased substantially over the long-term despite short-term speculative swings.

The Indian Stock Market gives investors an opportunity to invest in companies belonging to different sectors and industries. This helps the investor to gain from a surge in a sector and also to diversify his risk over a variety of industries in the economy.