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  • The Quick Guide To Index Funds

    Large Cap vs Mid Cap vs Small Cap: Key Differences That Actually Matter

    An index fund, also known as an index-tied or index-tracked fund, is a mutual fund that mimics an index’s portfolio.

    What is an Index Fund

    Investors think of index funds as an instrument to diversify their portfolio – they simply give the same returns that you might get if indices were purchasable. Since popular indices are not susceptible to rapid movements, index funds are a safe bet for risk-averse investors.They simply ensure a performance that is theoretically similar to the index movements. Because index funds are not actively managed, they are less expensive. They will not outperform an index but simply replicate its movements. They help investors diversify and balance the risk in their portfolio.

    How Do They Work?

    If you consider an index fund that mirror’s Nifty 50, it will contain the same stocks as the index and with the same weightage. Index funds are called as passive fund management because they simply monitor the movement of an index. Based on the composition of the underlying index, a fund manager divides your funds with the right weightage for certain stocks. Index funds, unlike actively managed funds, do not have their own team of research experts to find opportunities and pick stocks. While an actively managed fund aims to outperform its benchmark, an index fund’s goal is to mirror its index’s performance. Index funds usually produce returns that are similar to the benchmark. However, there will be a marginal difference between the returns of both. This is the tracking error and it is the fund manager’s job to reduce this error as much as possible.

    Who Should Put Their Money in Index Funds?

    As with any investment, you need to first understand your risk tolerance and investment objectives. Index funds are for those who do not want high risk but are also realistic about lower returns. If you do not have a lot of time to monitor the stock markets every year, then this one is for you. You can choose a highly liquid Sensex or Nifty index fund if you want to invest in stocks but don’t want to accept the risks associated with actively managed equity funds. While index funds will give you returns that are comparable to an index’s movements, you need to opt for more actively managed funds if you want to outperform the market.

    What to Consider as an Investor

    As with any investment, one of the first things to consider is the platform that you are going to buy these funds on. With Zebu’s lowest brokerage fees, and our credibility as one of India’s best share market brokers, we guarantee that you will have access to the best trading accounts in the country. Risk Index funds are less susceptible to equity-related volatility and dangers because they track an index. If you want to make a lot of money in a bull market, index funds are a great place to start. During a market downturn, though, you’ll have to switch to actively managed funds. Because during bear markets, index funds tend to lose value. As a result, having a mix of actively managed funds and index funds in your portfolio is recommended. Return As we have mentioned before, the returns from index funds will be very similar to index benchmarks as it simply replicates its moves. These funds aren’t trying to outperform the benchmark, but rather to copy it. However, due to tracking issues, the results generated may not be on par with the index. There may be differences in actual index returns. As a result, before investing in an index fund, it is recommended to select funds with the lowest tracking error. The smaller the errors, the better the fund’s performance. Investment cost Since index funds are passively managed, their expense ratios are much lower than that of actively managed mutual funds. This is because there is no investment strategy from a fund manager – they simply monitor the weightage of stocks in an index and manage that in an index fund. As a result, the expense ratio differs. Any two index funds that track the Nifty will produce similar returns. The expense ratio will be the only change. Because the fund has a reduced expense ratio, it will yield larger returns on investment. Time frame Individuals with a long-term investment horizon will generally benefit from index funds. Typically, the fund sees a lot of volatility in the short run, but over time, say more than seven years, it averages out to generate returns in the 10% -12% level. Those who invest in index funds must have the patience to wait at least that long. Only then will they be able to appreciate its returns. Goals Long-term financial goals, such as wealth accumulation or retirement planning, may be best achieved using equity funds. These funds are high-risk, high-return sanctuary and can help you build wealth and possibly retire early. Therefore, if your objective is to earn more than the index benchmark, then index funds might not be the one for you.

    Taxation

    Because index funds are a type of equity fund, they are taxed similarly to other equity fund plans. An index fund’s dividends are added to your overall income and taxed at your marginal tax rate. Index funds are taxed at different rates depending on how long they are held. Short-term capital gains are realised when you redeem your units during a one-year holding period. These profits are taxed at a 15 per cent flat rate. Long-term capital gains are gains realised when you sell your fund units after a one-year holding period. However, if your gains are under Rs 1,00,000 per year, they are tax-free. Any gains in excess of this amount are subject to a 10% tax rate, with no indexation. If you choose to go for an index fund, there are several options for you to choose from. A few of them include ICICI prudential NV20 ETF, UTI Sensex ETF and SBI ETF Nifty Next 50. You can explore these options and more with Zebu. Our lowest brokerage fees allow you to purchase the index fund of your choice effortlessly, making yours one of the best trading accounts. As one of India’s leading share market brokers, we will help you make the right decision when it comes to index funds.
  • The Best Books to Read On Personal Finance

    Large Cap vs Mid Cap vs Small Cap: Key Differences That Actually Matter

    Personal finance books can help you get started with money management more effectively. At the most fundamental level, you can learn personal finance fundamentals, such as why paying yourself first pays off or how to manage and pay off debt, to become smarter and more confident with your money. However, it does not end there. They can also teach you how to invest, manage a mortgage, build a nest egg, save for retirement, and ultimately assist you in avoiding common money pitfalls in order to foster a healthy relationship with your money. It’s not easy reading, but your wallet and future self will thank you. Before we begin… When you take full responsibility for your financial future, it helps to be supported by one of the top brokers in share market. Zebu is one of the fastest-growing platforms in the country for trading and investing and we have a team that would love to help you out with your financial objectives. We have Zebull, the best online trading platform with a host of features, and one of the lowest brokerage fees for intraday trading. Here are our recommendations for the best personal finance books. Why Didn’t They Teach Me This in School? If you ask anyone what they wish they had learned more about in school, the answer is almost certainly money. More specifically, how to properly manage one’s finances—hence the title of Cary Siegel’s book, “Why Didn’t They Teach Me This in School?” Siegel, a retired business executive, divides the book into 99 principles and eight financial lessons that you should have learned by high school or college but didn’t. When he realised his five children weren’t learning important personal finance principles before entering the real world, he wrote this book for them, but it grew into a well-reviewed read full of important financial lessons with Siegel’s first hand experiences as well. This simple book is ideal for recent graduates or anyone looking to begin their personal finance journey on the right foot. Rich Dad Poor Dad You’ve probably heard of Robert Kiyosaki’s book “Rich Dad, Poor Dad,” but there’s a reason it’s been around for over two decades. Kiyosaki shares what he learned growing up from his father and a friend’s father, the latter of whom is referred to as the “rich dad” in the title, in one of the most popular personal finance books of all time. These lessons cover topics such as how you don’t need a lot of money to get rich, assets and liabilities, and why schools won’t teach your children what they need to know about personal finance. This 20th anniversary edition includes an author update on money, the economy, and investing. The Total Money Makeover Debt management is critical to the health of your personal finances. Do you require assistance in this area? Examine Dave Ramsey’s “The Total Money Makeover.” This New York Times bestseller explains, without equivocation, how to get out of debt and improve your financial situation by avoiding common pitfalls such as rent-to-own, cash advances, and credit. It also provides sound advice on how to start an emergency fund, save for college and retirement, and use Ramsey’s famous “Snowball Method” to pay off debt. The Automatic Millionaire Who wouldn’t like to be a millionaire? The New York Times, USA Today, Bloomberg Businessweek, and Wall Street Journal business bestseller “The Automatic Millionaire” by David Bach teaches you how to do just that. The book begins with the storey of a couple who earns a combined $55,000 per year and how they achieved their financial goals. Consider this: owning two homes, paying for their children’s college, and retiring at 55 with a $1 million retirement nest egg. What is the secret? Creating a financial system that not only pays yourself first, but also does so automatically. Broke Millennial This is the personal finance book for you if you can decipher #GYFLT. (Hint: in social media speak, #GYFLT stands for “get your financial life together.”) In her signature conversational style, Erin Lowry’s “Broke Millennial” explains how 20-somethings can take control of their personal finances. This book covers the most pressing financial issues confronting millennials today, from understanding your relationship with money to managing student loans to sharing financial details with a partner. The One-Page Financial Plan Confused about your money, whether it’s how to invest properly or how to deal with unexpected financial challenges? “The One-Page Financial Plan” by Carl Richards removes the mystery of effectively managing your finances. This book not only helps you figure out what your financial goals are but also shows you how to get there in a simple, one-page plan. The author is a Certified Financial Planner as well as a New York Times columnist. I Will Teach You to Be Rich Financial expert Ramit Sethi explains in “I Will Teach You to Be Rich,” a New York Times and Wall Street Journal best-seller, that you can spend your money guilt-free as long as it is invested and allocated properly. This title discusses how to avoid common financial pitfalls, such as paying off student loans, saving money on a monthly basis, and even negotiating your way out of late fees. This tenth-anniversary edition includes new perspectives on technology, money, and psychology, as well as success stories from readers who have made a fortune after reading—you guessed it—book. Sethi’s Clever Girl Finance According to the US Department of Labor, women still earn $0.82 for every dollar earned by men, while mothers earn $0.71 for every dollar earned by fathers. In short, when it comes to money, women still have to work harder. Bola Sokunbi’s “Clever Girl Finance” aims to empower and educate a new generation of women on topics such as budgeting, creating and sticking to a budget, managing credit, saving for retirement, and taking responsibility for your own financial well-being. The Psychology of Money This book is an intriguing look at the psychology of money and how your ego, preconceived notions, and even your pride can influence your financial decisions. As you might expect, this isn’t the best way to manage your investment portfolio, and Morgan Housel’s “The Psychology of Money” provides readers with tips and tools for combating these biases in the form of 19 short stories that all focus on the same topic. Housel is a partner at The Collaborative Fund and a former Wall Street Journal columnist. Your Money or Your Life Vicki Robin’s book has sold over a million copies details a nine-step plan to help readers change their relationship with money. This book will teach you how to get out of debt, start investing, build wealth, and even save money by using Robin’s signature mindfulness technique. Accounting Books You Should Read The Final Word Whether you’re new to finances or simply want more financial advice, “Why Didn’t They Teach Me This In School?” by Cary Siegel is the best overall personal finance book (view at Amazon). It teaches eight important money lessons that you should have learned by high school, as well as a whopping 99 principles for saving, investing, and building wealth. While you take charge of your personal finances, we at Zebu, one of the top brokers in share market, are here to assist you with everything. From helping you understand different asset classes and how you can benefit from them, Zebu supports you with Zebull, a superb online trading platform and the lowest brokerage for intraday trading. Please get in touch with us to know more about our products and services.
  • Key Takeaways From Budget 2022

    Large Cap vs Mid Cap vs Small Cap: Key Differences That Actually Matter

    From Rs 5.54 lakh crore to Rs 7.50 lakh crore, the target for capital expenditure (capex) grew by 35.4%. The FM said that India’s GDP growth in FY23 is the highest of all major economies, and we are now in a strong position to deal with any challenges that come our way. According to her, the goal is to complement macro-growth with micro-all-inclusive welfare, digital economy and fintech, tech-enabled development, energy transition, and climate action. She also mentioned that ECLGS cover has grown by Rs 50,000 to Rs 5 lakh crore. In this year’s budget, the top priorities are: PM Gati Shakti; inclusive development; productivity enhancement; sunrise opportunities; energy transition; climate action; She added that productivity-linked incentive schemes in 14 sectors have been very well-received. Investment intentions worth Rs 30 lakh crore have been made. Economic growth is getting a boost from public investment and capital spending. Taxes Income from digital assets is to be taxed at 30% and except for the cost of buying a digital asset, no other deductions will be made. The loss from transactions of digital assets cannot be set off from any other income. Digital asset gifts like cryptocurrency gifts will be taxed at the receiver’s end. If taxpayers have made an error while filing their returns, they can not file an updated return within two years from the year of assessment. The alternate minimum tax for cooperative societies has been cut down to 15% with surcharges being reduced to 7% for those with incomes between INR 1 crore to INR 10 crores. Tax deduction on employers contribution to NPS has been increased to 14%. Jobs ECLGS has been extended till March 2023 and the Government hopes to add 60 lakh jobs in the next 5 years. A digital ecosystem for skilling and making money will be launched soon. This will help people learn new skills, re-skill, and up-skill through online training. API-based skill credentials, payment layers, and other tools will help people find jobs and opportunities. Infrastructure National highways will be expanded by 25,000 kms in the upcoming financial year. The Desh stack e-portal will be launched to promote digital infrastructure. Air India’s strategic ownership transfer has been completed. Four multi-modal national parks will be built in the next two years. One product, one railway station will be promoted with 400 new Vande Bharat trains being introduced. There will be a PM Gatishakti master plan for expressways next year. There will be 100 PM Gati Shakti terminals built in the next three years. Over the medium term, the government will invest in infrastructure and use the Gati Shakti tech platform to modernise it. This will help the economy move forward, and it will lead to more jobs and opportunities for the youth. Housing And Urban Planning In 2022-23, 80 million houses will be finished for PM Awas Yojana beneficiaries; 60,000 homes in rural and urban areas will be chosen as beneficiaries of the PM Awas Yojana. 60,000 crore has been set aside to make sure that 3.8 million households had access to tap water. A high-level committee of urban planners and economists will be set up to make recommendations on urban city building. Five of the existing academic institutions for urban planning are to be declared as Centre for Excellence with an endowment fund of INR 250 crores. New modern building by-laws are to be introduced. The government is also going to push for public transport usage in urban areas. MSMEs and Startups A five-year, Rs 6,000-crore scheme to rate MSMEs will be implemented. The reach of MSMEs such as Udyam, e-shram, NCS, and Aseem portals would be widened and they’ll now act as portals with live organic databases, offering G-C, B-C, and B-B services including credit facilitation and expanding entrepreneurial opportunities. A fund with blended capital has been raised under NABARD’s co-investment approach to finance agriculture and rural enterprise startups for the farm product value chain An expert group will be formed to recommend steps to help attract investment after PE/VC invested Rs 5.5 lakh crore in a startup. Agriculture The government would spend Rs 2.37 lakh crore on wheat and paddy procurement under the MSP programme The International Year of Millets has been declared for 2022-23 Small farmers and MSMEs will benefit from new rail products. To reduce imports, a more rationalised plan to boost domestic oilseed production will be implemented. Kisan Drones will be used for crop assessment, land records, and insecticide spraying and are expected to drive a wave of technology in the agricultural sector. INR 44,605 crores have been allocated for the linking of Ken Betwa river. Five river linkages have had their draught DPRs has also been finalised. Along the Ganga river corridor, natural farming will be promoted. Ministries for procurement will create an entirely paperless, e-billing system and farmers will be given financial assistance to start agroforestry operations. Electric Vehicles A battery swapping policy will be developed to allow EV charging stations for automobiles. The private sector will be encouraged to develop sustainable and innovative business models for battery and energy as a service, thereby improving EV ecosystem efficiency. Education States will be encouraged to revise agricultural university curricula to meet the needs of natural, zero-budget, and organic farming, as well as modern-day agriculture. The PM eVIDYA’s ‘one class, one TV channel’ programme will be expanded from 12 to 200 TV channels, allowing all states to provide supplementary education in regional languages for classes 1 to 12. A digital university will be established to provide education; it will be built on a hub-and-spoke model. A 1-Class-1-TV Channel will be implemented to provide supplementary education to children in order to compensate for the loss of formal education due to Covid. Finance and inclusion Rs 1 lakh crore in financial assistance will be provided to states to catalyse investments in 2022-23. RBI proposes to introduce Digital Rupee using blockchain technology in 2022-23. The core banking system will be implemented in all 1.5 lakh post offices, enabling financial inclusion and account access via net banking, mobile banking, and ATMs, as well as providing online transfer of funds between post office accounts and bank accounts. This will be especially beneficial to farmers and senior citizens in rural areas, allowing for interoperability and financial inclusion. Amendments to the IBC to improve the efficiency of the resolution process. The government will also facilitate the resolution of cross-border insolvencies and expedite the voluntary closure of businesses. To encourage digital payments, scheduled commercial banks will establish 75 digital banks in 75 districts. An international arbitration centre will be established to facilitate faster dispute resolution. According to FM, a world-class university will be permitted in the GIFT IFSC, free of domestic regulation. Healthcare An open platform for the national digital health ecosystem will be launched, which will include digital registries of health providers and facilities, a unique health identity, and universal access to health facilities. A National Tele Mental Health Program will be launched to provide mental health counselling. Telecom A spectrum auction will be held in 2022 to prepare for the 5G rollout. A design-led manufacturing scheme will be launched as part of the PLI scheme to enable affordable broadband and mobile communication in rural and remote areas. A portion of the USO Fund will be used for R&D and technology advancement and contracts for laying optical fibre in villages will be awarded under the BharatNet PPP project in 2022-23. A data centre and an energy storage system will also be designated as infrastructure, allowing for easy financing. Women and Children Recognizing the significance of ‘Nari Shakti,’ three schemes will be launched to provide integrated development for women and children, including the upgrade of 2 lakh Anganwadis to improve child health. Ease of Businesses 75,000 compliances have been eliminated, and 1,486 union laws have been repealed to make doing business easier. Corporate voluntary exit will be reduced from two years to six months. Defence The government has committed to reducing imports and promoting self-reliance in the defence sector; 68% of capital for the defence sector will be earmarked for local industry and 25% of the defence R&D budget will be made available to industry, startups, and academia. Through the SPV model, private companies will be encouraged to design and develop military platforms and equipment in collaboration with DRDO and other organisations. In 2022-23, the domestic industry will receive 68 per cent of the defence capital procurement budget (up from the 58 per cent last fiscal). Railways 400 new-generation Vande Bharat trains will be manufactured over the next three years, and a 2,000-kilometer rail network will be brought under KAWACH for safety and capacity augmentation. Climate Change and Net Zero Energy Sovereign green bonds will be included in the government’s borrowing programme in this fiscal year and the proceeds will be used for public-sector projects Four coal gasification pilot projects will be established and PLI will receive an additional allocation of Rs 19,500 crore for the production of high-efficiency solar modules. Travel E-Passports with embedded chips will be issued in 2022-23 for ease of overseas travel.
  • Let’s Make Sense Of Option Greeks – Part 2

    Large Cap vs Mid Cap vs Small Cap: Key Differences That Actually Matter

    In the last article, we got to understand the basics of what moves an option’s premium. There are several factors like implied volatility, moneyness and time to decay that affect its price. In this article, we take a detailed look at each of the options Greeks and how they work. Before we begin… As we have mentioned in part 1, Zebu is fast emerging as the top broker in share market and provides the lowest brokerage for intraday trading. As an options trader, we will complement your strategies with Zebull, the best Indian trading platform. It comes with a variety of features that will help you analyse option greeks effortlessly. For every 1 Re change in the price of the underlying securities or index, Delta estimates how much an option’s price can be expected to vary. A Delta of 0.40, for example, suggests that the option’s price will move 40 paisa for every 1 Re movement in the price of the underlying stock or index. As you may expect, the higher the Delta, the greater the price variation. Traders frequently utilise Delta to determine whether an option will expire in the money. A Delta of 0.40 is taken to signify that the option has a 40% chance of being ITM at expiration at that point in time. This isn’t to say that higher-Delta options aren’t profitable. After all, you might not make any money if you paid a high premium for an option that expires ITM. Delta can alternatively be thought of as the number of shares of the underlying stock that the option mimics. A Delta of 0.40 indicates that if the underlying stock moves 1 Re, the option will likely gain or lose the same amount as 40 shares of the stock. Call Options The positive Delta of call options can range from 0.00 to 1.00. The Delta of at-the-money options is usually around 0.50. As the option’s price goes deeper into the money, the Delta will rise till it eventually reaches 1. As expiration approaches, the Delta of ITM call options will approach 1.00. As expiration approaches, the Delta of out-of-the-money call options will almost go down to 0.00. Put Options The negative Delta of put options can range from 0.00 to –1.00. The Delta of at-the-money options is usually around –0.50. As the option goes deeper ITM, the Delta will fall (and approach –1.00). As expiration approaches, the Delta of ITM put options will reach –1.00. As expiration approaches, the Delta of out-of-the-money put options will almost go down to 0.00. Gamma Gamma represents the rate of change in an option’s Delta over time, whereas Delta is a snapshot in time. You can think of Delta as speed and Gamma as acceleration if you remember your high school physics lesson. Gamma is the rate of change in an option’s Delta per 1 Re change in the underlying stock price in practice. We imagined a Delta of.40 choice in the previous case. The option’s Delta is no longer 0.40 if the underlying stock moves 1 Re and the option moves 40 paise with it. Why? The call option is now considerably deeper ITM, and its Delta should move even closer to 1.00 as a result of this 1 Re move. Assume that the Delta is now 0.55 as a result of this. The Gamma of the choice is 0.15, which is the difference in Delta from 0.40 to 0.55. Gamma falls when an option acquires further ITM and Delta approaches 1.00 since Delta can’t reach 1.00. After all, when you near top speed, there’s less room for acceleration. Theta If all other factors remain constant, theta informs you how much the price of an option should decline each day as it approaches expiration. Time decay is the term for this type of price depreciation over time. Time-value erosion is not linear, which means that as expiry approaches, the price erosion of at-the-money (ATM), just slightly out-of-the-money, and ITM options generally increases, whereas the price erosion of far out-of-the-money (OOTM) options generally drops. Vega Vega is the rate of change in an option’s price per one percentage point change in the underlying stock’s implied volatility. Vega is used to estimate how much the price of an option would vary with respect to the volatility of the underlying. More information on Vega: One of the most important elements impacting the value of options is volatility. Both calls and puts will likely lose value if Vega falls. A rise in Vega will normally raise the value of both calls and puts. If you ignore Vega, you may end up paying too much for your options. When all other conditions are equal, consider purchasing options when Vega is below “normal” levels and selling options when Vega is above “normal” levels when choosing a strategy for options trading. Analysing the implied volatility with respect to the historical volatility is one approach to analyse this. Implied volatility Despite the fact that implied volatility is not a Greek, it is still important. Implied volatility is a prediction of how volatile an underlying stock will be in the future, but it’s only an estimate. While it is possible to predict a stock’s future movements by looking at its historical volatility, among other things, the implied volatility reflected in an option’s price is an inference based on a variety of other factors, including upcoming earnings reports, merger and acquisition rumours, pending product launches, and so on. These are the different option greeks that you need to use in conjunction with other bullish and bearish strategies and mathematical models that you might use to determine market moves. As the top broker in the share market, we have created Zebull. the best Indian trading platform with the lowest brokerage for intraday trading. With Zebull, you can easily analyse option Greeks and filter out stocks that work for you.
  • Let’s Make Sense Of Option Greeks – Part 1

    Large Cap vs Mid Cap vs Small Cap: Key Differences That Actually Matter

    A lot of factors influence an option’s pricing, which can benefit or hurt traders depending on their positions. The “Greeks” are a set of risk metrics named after the Greek letters that identify them, which reflect how sensitive an option is to time-value decay, changes in implied volatility, and movements in the price of its underlying security. Theta, vega, delta, and gamma are the four basic Greek risk measurements. Here’s a closer look at each. Before we begin… Options trading can be extremely profitable if done with the right trading system and with discipline. However, you need to back up your strategy with the best Indian trading platform like Zebull from Zebu. We provide one of the lowest brokerages for intraday trading and are one of the top brokers in the share market right now. And we would love to help you with your options strategy execution. Why option Greeks For the uninitiated, options can be exercised, or converted into shares of the underlying asset, at a set price. Every option has an expiration date and a premium connected with it. One of the most popular option pricing models is Black-Scholes, which leads to price fluctuations. Greeks are frequently viewed alongside an option price model to properly assess risk. Volatility Volatility refers to how much an option’s premium (or market value) changes before expiration. Financial, economic, and geopolitical risks can all create price changes. Implied volatility measures the market’s expectation of price movement. Investors use implied volatility (or implied vol) to forecast future price movements in a securities or company. If implied volatility is predicted to rise, the premium on an option will likely rise as well. Profitability Several words describe a profitable or unprofitable option. The intrinsic value is the difference between the strike price and the price of the underlying stock or asset. At-the-money options have the same strike price as the underlying asset. An in-the-money option has a profit because the strike price is higher than the underlying price. In contrast, an out-of-the-money option has no profit when compared to the underlying’s price. In the case of a call option, the underlying price is less than the strike price. A put option is OTM when the underlying price exceeds the strike price. Influences on an Option’s Price Assuming other variables stay constant, an increase in implied volatility increases an option’s price. Traders that are long or short will have different returns. If a trader is long a call option, increased implied volatility is beneficial since it increases the option premium. For traders holding short call options, an increase in implied volatility has the opposite (or negative) effect. A surge in volatility would not assist a naked option writer because they want the option’s price to fall. Writers are option sellers. If a writer sells a call option, the buyer will exercise the option if the stock price rises above the strike. That is, if the stock price rose enough, the seller would have to sell shares to the option holder at the strike price. Sellers of options are compensated for the risk of their options being exercised against them. This is called shorting. A decrease in implied volatility, shorter expiration time, and a decline in the underlying security’s price favour the short call holder. Increasing volatility, time left on the option, and underlying will benefit long call holders. Indicated volatility decreases, time till expiration increases, and the price of the underlying security rises for short put holders, whereas long puts profit from an increase in implied volatility, time until expiration increases, and the underlying security price decreases. During the life of most option deals, interest rates play a little influence. Its impact on an option’s price is measured by rho, a lesser-known Greek. Generally, higher interest rates make call options more expensive and put options cheaper. All of this sets the stage for examining the risk categories used to assess these variables’ relative impact. Remember that the Greeks help traders forecast price fluctuations. In this article, we have laid a foundation on what moves an option price. In the next article, let’s take a closer look at the different Greeks in an option. At Zebu, we strive to provide our customers with the lowest brokerage for intraday trading. Zebull is our proprietary trading platform that lets you analyse option greeks to perfection and is growing fast to become the best Indian trading platform. As one of the top brokers in share market, we believe that we have the right products and features to help you make the best trades. Please get in touch with us to know more.
  • Here’s How Arbitrage Trading Works

    Large Cap vs Mid Cap vs Small Cap: Key Differences That Actually Matter

    Every day, thousands of traders and investors participate in the capital markets. All of the participants’ primary goal is to make a profit. To trade in the stock market, you can use a variety of techniques and strategies. A trading strategy, on the other hand, becomes applicable only if the asset’s price moves in a favourable direction. Arbitrage is a unique but simple method of profiting from the capital markets. Before we get into arbitrage trading… To do any form of trading, you need a reliable brokerage trading firm that gives you thebest stock trading platform that helps you analyse the right trading opportunities. Zebu gives you one of the best online trading platforms in the country with a fast-growing customer base. Please get in touch with us to know more. What exactly is arbitrage? To understand how arbitrage works, it is essential to first define arbitrage. Arbitrage is defined as the simultaneous purchase and sale of the same asset in different markets in order to profit from the price difference in both markets. While arbitrage opportunities can arise in any asset class that is traded in different markets in a standardised form, currency and stock markets are the most common. Arbitrage opportunities are frequently fleeting, lasting only seconds or minutes. Contrary to popular belief, markets are not completely efficient, creating arbitrage opportunities. As you may know, the price of an asset is determined by the supply and demand for it. A price difference arises as a result of a difference in supply and demand for an asset in different markets, which can be used for arbitrage trading. What is the process of arbitrage trading? As mentioned earlier, arbitrage trading is based on the trader’s ability to capitalise on the price gap of the same asset in different markets. Because arbitrage opportunities are limited, most traders use algorithms to execute arbitrage trades. Let us look at a stock market example to see how arbitrage works. Assume XYZ is a stock that is traded on the National Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange. On the NYSE, the price of XYZ is quoted in US dollars, while on the NSE, it is quoted in Indian rupees. On the NYSE, the share price of XYZ is $4. The share price on the NSE is Rs 238. If the USD/INR exchange rate is Rs 60, the NYSE share price of XYZ in INR will be Rs 240. If the USD is converted to INR, the same stock is quoted at Rs 238 on the NSE and Rs 240 on the NYSE. To take advantage of the arbitrage opportunity, a trader will purchase XYZ shares on the NSE at Rs 238 per share and sell the same number of shares on the NYSE for Rs 240, earning a profit of Rs 2 per share. While participating in arbitrage trades, traders must consider certain risks. The price difference is the result of a favourable exchange rate, which is constantly changing. Any significant change in the exchange rate while the trade is being carried out can result in losses. The transaction fees are another important factor to consider. If the transaction cost exceeds Rs 2 per share, the price gain will be lost. In India, how does arbitrage work? There is a scarcity of companies that are listed on both the Indian and foreign stock exchanges. However, India has two major exchanges—the BSE and the NSE—and the majority of companies are listed on both, creating an opportunity for arbitrage. Even if the price of a particular share differs between the NSE and the BSE, an arbitrage trade cannot be conducted. On the same day, traders are not permitted to buy and sell the same stock on different exchanges. For example, if you buy XYZ shares on the NSE today, you cannot sell them on the BSE the same day. So, how exactly does arbitrage work? One can sell shares that he or she already owns on one exchange and buy the same amount on another. For example, if you already own XYZ shares, you can sell them on the BSE and purchase them on the NSE. If you already own the stock, you are not engaging in an intraday trade on different exchanges, which is not permitted. Conclusion Because the price differential does not last long, automated systems are commonly used for arbitrage trading. Though spotting arbitrage opportunities is simple, profiting from them manually is extremely difficult. As we mentioned earlier, arbitrage trading needs the best online trading platform for you to instantly capitalise on any price difference between NSE and BSE. Zebull from Zebu is the fastest growing and best stock trading platform that comes with a mind-boggling number of features to help traders. Zebu is also becoming the fastest-growing brokerage firm in the country – please get in touch with us to know more about our products and services.
  • A Beginner’s Guide To Hedging

    Large Cap vs Mid Cap vs Small Cap: Key Differences That Actually Matter

    Hedging is a beneficial investment strategy that every investor should know about. Hedging in the stock market provides portfolio safety, which is often as important as portfolio growth. Hedging is commonly discussed but not explained. But it’s not a mystical term. Even a novice investor can benefit from learning about hedging. Before hedging When it comes to trading and investment, you need to choose the right one from a plethora of brokerage firms . One of the important factors you need to look for while executing hedging strategies is the lowest brokerage and someone with a fast-growing online brokerage background. Hedging Consider hedging as a type of insurance. By hedging, people protect themselves from the financial consequences of an unfavourable event. This does not stop all bad things from happening. However, if a negative event occurs, properly hedged, the damage is lessened. Hedging happens very universally. For example, buying a homeowner’s insurance protects you against fires, burglaries, and other unanticipated events. Portfolio managers, investors, and organisations employ hedging to decrease risk. In the financial markets, hedging is not as straightforward as paying an annual insurance premium. Hedging investment risk involves strategically using financial instruments or market tactics to offset price risk. Traders hedge one investment by trading in another. To hedge, you must conduct counter-trades in securities having negative correlations. Of course, you must still pay for this type of insurance. For example, if you own XYZ stock, you can buy a put option to protect your investment from large declines. However, to buy an option, you must pay a premium. Less risk means less possible profit. So, hedging is a practice used to decrease prospective losses (and not maximise potential gain). If the investment you’re hedging against is profitable, you’ve usually lowered your prospective profit. If the investment fails, your hedging will have decreased your loss. Hedging Explained Derivatives are commonly used in hedging strategies. One of the most common derivatives is options. In trading techniques involving derivatives, a loss in one investment is compensated by a gain in another. Assume you hold Tata motors stock. You believe in the company’s long-term success, but you are concerned about recent losses. Put options let you protect yourself against a decline in CTC by selling it at a predetermined strike price. This is called a married put. If your stock price falls below the strike price, the gains from the put option reduce your losses. Hedging Drawbacks Every hedging approach has a cost. So, before you utilise hedging, consider whether the possible benefits outweigh the costs. Hedging is used to safeguard against losses, not to create money. The cost of hedging, whether it’s an option or lost earnings from a futures contract, is unavoidable. While hedging is similar to insurance, insurance is more precise. With insurance, you are fully paid. Portfolio hedging isn’t exact. Things can get unpredictable. The perfect hedge is a goal that risk managers strive for but rarely accomplish. Hedging and You Most investors will never trade a derivative. In fact, most long-term investors overlook short-term volatility. Hedging has little value for these investors because they let their investments expand with the market. So why hedge? In order to understand how it works, you should hedge your own portfolio. Many large corporations and financial funds will hedge their protfolio. Examples of hedges include oil companies. For example, an international mutual fund may protect against currency swings. Understand and assess these investments with a rudimentary understanding of hedging. Forward Hedge Example A wheat farmer and the wheat futures market are two examples of hedging. The farmer sows in the spring and harvests in the fall. In the interim, the farmer faces the danger of decreased wheat prices in the fall. While the farmer wants to maximise his harvest’s profit, he does not want to bet on wheat’s price. At the present price of $40 per bushel, he can sell a three-month futures contract. It’s called a forward hedge. After three months, the farmer is ready to harvest and sell his wheat at market price. It is now only $32 per bushel. They buy wheat for that price. Simultaneously, he buys back his short futures contract for $32, netting $8. His wheat sells for $32 + $8 hedging profit = $40. When he planted his crop, he locked in the $40 price. Assume now that wheat is $44 a bushel. Sells his wheat at market price and buys back his short futures for $4. His net profit is $40 ($44 – $4). Both his losses and gains are reduced. The Verdict Investing involves a certain amount of risk. A fundamental understanding of hedging methods can help any investor understand how corporations and investors protect themselves. Whether or not you decide to start using complex derivatives, learning about hedging will improve your market knowledge and make you a better investor. At Zebu, we are one of the best brokerage firms in the country. We provide one of the lowest brokerages and are becoming one of the most sought-after online brokerages in India. Please get in touch with us to know more about our services and products.
  • Here’s How Bond Yields Affect The Market

    Large Cap vs Mid Cap vs Small Cap: Key Differences That Actually Matter

    On Wednesday, India’s benchmark 10-year government bond yields soared to a high of 6.66 per cent before falling to 6.60 per cent. What has caused this increase? Rising crude oil prices, inflationary threats, and earlier-than-expected interest rate hikes indicated by the US Federal Reserve have all contributed to bond yields hardening. Rising bond yields, logically, have sparked anticipation that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) may eventually abandon its accommodative policy and begin increasing interest rates. What is the difference between a bond and a bond yield? Bonds are simply loans made to a firm or the government. Throughout the loan’s term, the interest payments are virtually unchanged. Furthermore, if the borrower does not default, the principle is returned after the loan term. Bond yield is the rate of return that an investor receives on a certain bond or government instrument. Bond yields and prices are linked. Bond prices rise and fall in response to changes in interest rates in an economy. Bond yields, on the other hand, fall/rise in response to this. Bond yields and inflation expectations As money moves from relatively safer investment bets to riskier equities, a stock market boom tends to raise yields. When inflationary pressures rise, however, investors tend to return to bond markets and sell shares. What impact do bonds have on stock markets? Before we get into how the share market is impacted by bonds and bond yields, you need one of the best trading accounts from a leading online stock broker like Zebu to capitalise on market changes. With a leading online trading platform, you can anticipate market moves and maximise your profits. More on how bond yields affect the stock markets: To calculate the expected rate of return, investors add the equity risk premium they seek to a risk-free rate when pricing equities. Defaulting to the long government bond yield is usually the simplest way to estimate the risk-free rate. Long bond yields are important to equities because of this. Given that the risk-free rate is the long bond yield, a higher bond yield is unfavourable for equities, and vice versa. However, it’s important to recognise why bond rates are changing, not just the direction in which they’re changing. Long bond yields reflect the economy’s growth and inflation mix. Bond yields normally rise when growth is robust. They also rise in response to rising inflation. However, the impact of these is different for stocks. When growth is strong, the positive impact of larger cash flows or, more accurately, dividends more than outweighs the negative impact of higher yields, resulting in higher equity share values. The difference between actual GDP growth and the 10-year bond yield corresponds well with stock prices. Indeed, share prices should be fine if GDP increases faster than bond yields in the next month. If growth accelerates from here equities are likely to break this range on the upside, in line with the fundamental relationship. How Should Investors Play It? In the scenario that growth accelerates, investors can opt for rate-sensitive instruments like mid- and small-cap stocks and funds. However, if inflation makes a rapid return, you can go with reliable companies in solid sectors like technology, healthcare and FMCG. Whatever your take is on bond yields and their correlation to the Indian markets, you need the best online trading platform to change your game plan. At Zebu, we have taken our expertise as one of the leading online stock brokers in India and created the best trading accounts and investment platform to seamlessly capitalise on any economic macro and invest in the best stocks and funds that you find reliable. To know more about our products and services, please get in touch with us.
  • Multiple Asset Classes That Can Form Your Financial Goals

    Large Cap vs Mid Cap vs Small Cap: Key Differences That Actually Matter

    Since March 2020, when the stock markets plummeted, asset values have rebounded at a similar rate. What develops is a type of agreement that, regardless of short-term blips, equities do well in the long run. While the volatility persisted into 2021, it also demonstrated that the stock market is not just a home for the bulls and that prices do fall. So what moves up the prices of stocks? Corporate earnings and growth prospects in the years ahead are what ultimately drive equities asset prices. Current valuations appear to be on the high side, and many companies’ input costs are under pressure. However, truly valuable companies come with good promoters and a sound business fundamental and are always good investments in the long run. Here is how you can diversify your investment across multiple asset classes to build over wealth over a long period of time. Before we start… Before investing a lump sum in your portfolio, make sure to have an emergency fund that covers the basic health and life risks for your family. This way, your family can stay financially secure in any emergency. It is also important to apply and obtain enough health insurance for every member of your family. You can also choose a term insurance plan that covers at least 15 times your annual income and reassess it every five years or if new financial obligations arise. Another thing to keep in mind is to choose the right investment partner for your financial objectives. Zebu is one of the leading share market brokers for online share trading. Get started in a few minutes with us to own one of the best trading accounts in India. Fixed Incomes The fixed income asset class, which is the most popular among Indians, is one of the most trusted and oldest types of investments. Two examples are fixed deposits and public provident funds (PPF). Is this, however, a sound investment? You’re simply allowing the bank to borrow money from you under the terms of capital protection, pre-agreed returns, and liquidity. You will not lose money if you invest in fixed income asset types because they have no risks. Furthermore, you receive consistent profits as promised at the time of investment. Fixed income plans may offer yields of 7% to 8%, but they are hardly inflation-beating rates. Fixed income plans only provide security and are subject to STCG or LTCG depending on the term. SIPs Start SIPs (systematic investment plans) in a few equities mutual funds with a good mix of large, mid, and small-cap schemes. When you have a large sum of money to invest, put it into your current folios. Also, take advantage of market dips to add extra shares to your roster. Importantly, diversify among stock, debt, and gold to maintain asset allocation and avoid switching from one asset or scheme to another based on short-term performance. You can put funds in a liquid fund and migrate them to equity schemes at periodic intervals using the STP (systematic transfer plan) technique. These strategies assist in taking a managed approach and regularly subjecting your funds to the prospects of the equity market for a better risk-adjusted return. Depending on your risk profile and the general economic climate, a portion of your portfolio can also be invested in sector-specific funds such as pharma and IT funds. Mutual funds A mutual fund is managed by an analyst or fund manager who handles the money from multiple investors and invests it in stocks, bonds, and short-term debt. The mutual fund comprises stocks from various market segments that the fund manager deems well-performing. And shares of the mutual funds are purchased by investors. With every share you own, it is a representation of the fund’s ownership and revenue. Mutual funds are seen as a relatively risk-free tool for investors to diversify their portfolios. Debt funds Debt funds are mutual fund schemes that are focused on fixed income instruments such as government and corporate bonds. In these finds, your capital is relatively safe and you also earn a small interest on it. Debt funds now include floating rate bond funds. These are debt instruments whose interest rates vary with the value of the underlying instruments. These can be chosen by investors for goals that are at least three years away. Gold Over the last year, gold has remained nearly unchanged. However, in light of growing inflation, one can consider a 5-10% exposure in their portfolio. You could invest in gold using sovereign gold bonds rather than physical gold. Depending on your risk appetite and capital, you can tap into a sea of investment options that are right for you. At Zebu, we complement your financial goals with the best trading account we can give you. We are one of the leading share market brokers in the country and come with a wide range of products and services to help you make the right financial and trading decisions. We give you the ideal platform for online share market trading as well for the risk-taking individuals. To know more about our products and services that will help you maximise your returns across all asset classes, please get in touch with us now.
  • Signs That You Need To Change Your Mutual Funds Scheme

    Large Cap vs Mid Cap vs Small Cap: Key Differences That Actually Matter

    You conduct research, select a mutual fund plan that meets your aims, budget, perform all kinds of analysis, and then invest in a mutual fund scheme. Then, when the investment period comes to a close, you can reap the rewards of capital growth. It is as simple as that, right? Not always. Investing in a mutual fund entails more than just putting money into it and waiting for it to pay off at the end of the investment term. To truly enjoy its full benefits, more effort is required from your end to constantly monitor and analyse various parameters of your portfolio. To achieve optimal capital growth, you must keep a careful eye on it and manage it well during the investing period. Sometimes, switching between funds is necessary to avoid market risks, avoid fund underperformance, and avoid fund performance stagnation. Signs that you need to change your mutual find scheme Change in investment goals Before you begin investing in mutual funds, you must first devise a strategy that is tailored to your specific objectives, risk appetite, investment horizon, budget, and other objectives. The type of mutual fund schemes you should invest in is determined by these criteria. Mutual fund investments can be divided into three categories based on their investment horizon: short, long, and intermediate. Risk appetites are divided into three categories: aggressive, moderate, and conservative. It is important to keep your expectations in check in terms of the kind of profits do you hope to get from your mutual fund investment. In this instance, mutual fund schemes might be classified as income-oriented, balanced, or growth-oriented. When investing in a mutual fund scheme, you may have had a certain goal in mind. But what happens if your goal shifts in the middle of the project? You can switch between funds in this situation to suit your new investing goal, horizon, and risk tolerance. On a side note, one of the first things to keep in mind when it comes to investing in mutual funds is to identify the top brokers in share market . Zebu is a leading online share broker that offers one of the lowest brokerage fees when it comes to investing in mutual funds. Read on to know more about when to change your mutual fund plans. Your scheme is underperforming There’s no guarantee that the mutual fund scheme in which you invested will perform well over time. You may have analysed prior fund performance and tried every permutation and combination to find the right mutual fund investment for you. Despite your best efforts, you never know when your scheme will underperform or become vulnerable to hazards, even in favourable market conditions. To ensure that your portfolio does not become stagnant, you must switch to a different fund. To keep the portfolio balanced, over-weight mutual funds should be rotated. You simply feel like you made the wrong choice When it comes to even the safest investment options, mistakes are bound to occur (especially if you are doing the research by yourself). Fortunately, investing in mutual funds is not one of them. Worry not if you bought in a mutual fund without doing your homework or understanding key technical features, only to discover later that it isn’t a good fit for your goals or risk tolerance. Your current assets can easily be reallocated into a portfolio that matches your needs. In the world of mutual fund investing, erroneous predictions are more common than you would think. Sometimes, even seasoned fund managers can get their analysis proved wrong. For these reasons and more, it is crucial that you keep a close eye on your mutual funds and keep your options open and diverse. Apart from this, to maintain balance and enhance fund performance, an investor should rotate the assets in his or her portfolio on a regular basis. With Zebu’s seamless investment platform, which is one of the top brokers in share market, you can get started with direct mutual funds and make more than 1% of the returns you would otherwise make with managed mutual funds. And with our lowest brokerage fees, you can confidently make changes to your scheme as per your requirements. We are, in fact, one of India’s leading online sharebrokers. To know more, please get in touch with us now.