Nuts & Bolts of Cashing the Stock Market Gains

Stock Market Gains

Triumph in timing the market

This incidence may give this client or anyone reading this, an impression, that timing the market is as easy as breathing and a good shot. But that’s not right. The market is unpredictable and no one can time it perfectly not even any scholar. It can be accepted as a one-off instance. It won’t be ethical to expect same returns from investments in the future.

Score on the flourishing days of the market

Trying to time the market, the possibilities are failing to experience the best days of the stock market gains. Glancing the long-term perspective, missing a single day gains will deprive one from the benefit of compounding of the missed returns.

Redeem at reaching goal

Equities are meant for a time horizon of at least 5 years or say 3 years in today’s market scenario. Never invest if one will need the money before the time period. One should stay invested throughout the tenure and avoid making unnecessary transactions. You will gain maximum benefits from equities if you stay invested for a longer time period, as you get to benefit from compounding.

A must asset-allocation Strategy 

Having a planned asset-allocation scheme assures an investor to book profits in a systematic manner. Apply a rule for rebalancing, be it at the end of financial year or as the allocation diverges by more than 10% of the planned ratio.

Try for a SIP not lump sum

Anyone should spread the investments over a period of time especially in case of equities. Investing systematically through an SIP or STP helps in entering the market at the right time, as the purchase cost is averaged out. 

Points to Focus

Emergency fund: Preserve the funds equivalent to at least six months’ expenses either in a liquid fund and sweep-in deposit which can be handy during uncertain scenario.

Life insurance: Cromulent life cover is important specially term plans if one has financial dependents.

Health insurance: Owing to 2020 uncertainty, adequate health cover has become vital for the family.

Should you cash out of the stock market?

When the stock market falls, it is only a paper loss but actually, no monetary loss. However, the moment any investor converts stocks to cash in this period, one turns paper loss into an actual one.  Investors should know that the cashing out will not give you the chance to benefit from market rebounds. A market uptrend can give you the scope of a break-even if not the opportunity to profit. If you cash out, then there is no hope for sure. As Inflation also has a devastating effect by eroding the value of money and reduces its purchasing power.

How is the Indian Stock Market Reacting to the Coronavirus Impact?

How is the Indian Stock Market Reacting to the Coronavirus Impact

Impact of Covid 19 on the global markets

In the past few weeks, the stock prices have fallen drastically and the market saw a downfall of nearly a third of the global market cap. The whole world has been badly affected by the spread of the virus forcing companies to shut down, heavy unemployment and huge downfall in the economy. Almost all major most economic activities have impacted by the disease. The markets have been heavily damaged by the Covid 19 and the effects are visible on the global economic growth. The global gross domestic product (GDP) growth projection for 2020 has halved by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). 

Current Situation in Indian Markets

Although, the market has slightly started to rise slowly such sudden fall in stock valuations and other instabilities have triggered panic across the world and shaken the confidence of investors. The past Friday turned out to be in favour of the investors. In the end, Sensex stood at closed 20% below the peak achieved two months ago whilst other markets which have fallen more. 

When the equity and debt instruments were already hit badly, the crude oil war between Saudi Arabia and Russia has only worsened the economic conditions injecting volatility into other assets. Now, the economic tension has extended to currency and commodities market.

Suggested Measures for Ensuring Financial Safety of Investments

Investment professional prefers investment in high performing- financially strong stocks with relatively higher earnings & profitability, solid balance sheets, bigger cash flows, and more effective management should be preferred. At the same time, professional advisers also suggest equity investors alter their portfolio allocation towards large-cap and multi-cap stocks as the market correction might be a little prevalent in the short term.

It might be suggested this is a good time for long term investors to buy high valuation stocks at low levels. For making a profitable investment and subsequent appreciation in the investments value few conditions shall be seen such as high-profit margin stock, low debt and innate capability & financial soundness to sustain even if the share prices touch the rock bottom due to instabilities. 

The more-safe investment options might also be suggestible like Corporate Bond funds / Banking & PSU Debt Fund which provide more reliability and trustworthiness in future which seems highly dynamic due to the highly volatile markets.

What is Stock Exchange?

What is stock exchange

Stock exchanges are markets where the participants come together for buying and selling of financial instruments such as shares, debentures, bonds, etc. it is run by set rules and regulations set by appropriate bodies such as SEBI in India.  Only the securities of listed companies are traded with stock exchanges. All such stock exchanges shall be recognized by the government and only registered brokers and members are allowed to trade instruments on it.  

There are around 9 official Stock Exchanges in India-

  1. Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE)  
  2. National Stock Exchange of India (NSE)  
  3. Calcutta Stock Exchange 
  4. India International Exchange (India INX)  
  5. Indian Commodity Exchange (ICEX) 
  6. Metropolitan Stock Exchange of India Ltd. (MSE)  
  7. Multi Commodity Exchange of India Ltd. (MCX)  
  8. National Commodity & Derivatives Exchange Ltd. (NCDEX)  
  9. NSE IFSC Ltd. (NSE International Exchange)