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Functions and Role of Stock Market

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The stock market is a place where different types of securities and assets are bought and sold. Buyers and sellers in the stock market come together to deal with securities such as stocks, bonds, derivatives, funds etc. Primarily, the stock market serves as a digital marketplace where buyers and sellers make transactions to purchase or sell securities securely. 

Before entering the stock market it is crucial to first understand the fundamentals. Let’s dive into the functions of the stock market along with the types of securities that are traded. 

List of Popular Stock Exchanges

Let’s start with the popular stock exchanges where stocks are listed for investors to put their money in. Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange are the two most popular stock exchanges in India. 

  • National Stock Exchange

The National Stock Exchange is the country’s first stock exchange that introduced screen-based or electronic trading in 1994. The stock exchange gained popularity and trust for the seamless trading experience it offers and cutting-edge technology that revolutionised the Indian stock market. NSE’s indices such as NIFTY 50 guide market trends reflecting the key role played by the stock exchange. 

Additionally, it serves as a platform featuring all kinds of securities and assets for investors to put their money in.  

  • Bombay Stock Exchange

One of Asia's oldest stock exchanges, the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) is known to be India’s cornerstone for financial evolution. BSE has touched several milestones through the years including becoming India’s first listed stock exchange in 2017 and launching India INX, the country’s first international stock exchange. 

Key Functions of the Stock Market 

The stock market, in addition to offering a space for buying and selling shares, has several other key functions that you must explore for a better understanding: 

  • Market Efficiency

The stock market strives to create efficiency in a way that ensures the quick transfer of information into stock prices for a smooth trading experience. 

Additionally, this also encourages companies, who have their stocks listed on the stock exchange, to provide accurate detail thus providing transparency and overall efficient market functioning.

  • Economic Indicator

The stock market is used as a reliable economic indicator by the government. When the market is performing well it reflects the investing capacity of individuals in the country, indicating economic growth.  

  • Benchmark for Performance

Sectors such as technology, agriculture, dairy, oil etc are all integral parts of the stock market. When these sectors perform well in the stock market they become a benchmark for overall performance. Not just this, every stock exchange in the market has different indices such as NSE Nifty, BSE Sensex, and BSE 200 etc that serve as a benchmark for the performance of different sectors and the overall market. 

  • Corporate Governance and Control

One aspect of investing in stocks that comes with an added advantage is voting rights. When investors purchase stocks of a company they get voting rights in the board meetings that ensure accountability, transparency and corporate governance. Every individual who puts their money into a company gets a say in the company’s functioning thus promoting control and good governance.

  • Risk Diversification

The stock market helps traders and investors mitigate risks by providing an opportunity to invest in different types of securities of multiple companies in different sectors. A diverse portfolio saves the investor/trader from facing a severe loss.

  • Transferring Risk

A major part of investing in companies is facing risks because of changing market performance and other factors. By indulging in the stock market, investors try to transfer these risks through multiple investments or buying and selling stocks at the right time. 

  • Dividend Income

In addition to generating profit from buying and selling stocks, investors also get to earn profit from dividends. Dividends are paid to investors from the company’s profit thus creating a steady source of income for investors. 

  • Wealth Creation

The stock market is a wide playing field for every individual who wants to generate additional income. From buying and selling stocks to investing in mutual funds and bonds there are several options created through the stock market for wealth creation. 

  • Price Discovery

An interesting function that the stock market performs is determining the value of companies based on demand and supply. Investors get to put their opinions forward showing interest or lack of interest in a company and based on this the value of stocks is determined.

  • Liquidity

The sole purpose of investing in stocks of different companies is to create wealth that can be used by investors for their varying lifestyle requirements. The stock market allows liquidity to investors by offering a platform where stocks can be easily bought and sold. Liquidity allows investors to transfer their digital investments into cash without having to pay unreasonable charges or time limitations. 

  • Capital Formation

The stock market is primarily viewed from the perspective of an investor or trader. However, it also serves as a space where companies can generate capital to expand their business. For instance: Companies who are looking to expand, get their shares listed on the stock exchange via IPOs to generate capital by inviting investors to put their money in. 

Types of Securities Traded and Role in Stock Market

The stock market creates a financial hub for traders and investors to buy and sell different types of securities. Here’s a list of 4 types of securities that are traded in the stock market: 

  • Debt Securities

A debt security operates like a debt instrument featuring pre-determined clauses like interest rate, maturity and renewal date. These securities are issued by corporations and the government to investors. Investors put their money in hope of return through interest rates. A few common examples of debt securities are government bonds, corporate bonds, municipal bonds etc. 

  • Equity Securities

Simply put, equity shares are financial assets that represent an investor’s ownership in the company. Investors who hold equity securities of a company enjoy benefits when the company is performing well and have to deal with risks when the company is in loss. The most common type of equity securities are stocks or shares of a company.

  • Derivative Securities

As the name suggests, derivative securities are like contractical instruments that derive its value from one or more underlying assets. Stocks, bonds, currencies, commodities etc are commonly used as underlying assets. These are also called leverage instruments that make them highly rewarding and risky. Some examples would be future and options, swaps etc. 

  • Hybrid Securities

Hybrid securities represent a broad group of securities that operate on the fundamentals of two or more types of securities like debt and equity. It is a single instrument with features of two or more different types of securities. For instance: A common type of hybrid security is convertible bond that represents regular bonds but can be influenced by stocks into which it is to be converted. 

Market Participants and Their Roles

The stock market is a space dominated primarily by a few important participants including investors, traders, brokers and regulatory bodies. Let’s take a look at their roles: 

  • Investors and Traders

Investors and traders are often taken to be the same but they differ in their role. Traders are primarily focused on buying and selling securities based on their price for instant gains whereas investors put their money in promising security to generate profit in the long run without indulging in frequent buying/selling.

  • Brokers and Market Makers

Brokers are intermediaries between the client and the market and market makers are active participants who indulge in buying securities from sellers and selling to buyers in the market.

  • Regulatory Bodies

The Indian stock is regulated primarily by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). These bodies have the role of overseeing the rules and regulations under which the market has to operate. 

Importance of the Stock Market in the Economy

The Indian stock market is huge and it impacts the economy, as well. A simple rule that applies in the given scenario is that the rise and fall in prices of stocks in the market influence several economic factors like demand and supply, consumption, participation of investors etc. 

The changing prices of stocks in the stock market are a major reason for the volatile nature of the Indian economy. When the market is facing a bull phase, the stock prices go up thus boosting the economy’s confidence and vice-versa when the prices fall.  

Additionally, the stock market facilitates funding in different sectors of the economy that eventually impacts the overall economic health of the country. 

Conclusion

Before you leave, remember that the role of the stock market is primarily to serve as a financial hub for investors, traders and companies to generate wealth by indulging in different types of trading and investing activities. There are different aspects of the stock market, like risk mitigation, diversification, a wide pool for investment, market regulation etc, that come together to create a sound economy. As a seasoned trader or a beginner, it is crucial that you first understand the multifaceted nature of the market.

 

Disclaimer: Investments in the securities market are subject to market risk, read all related documents carefully before investing.

This content is for educational purposes only. Securities quoted are exemplary and not recommendatory.

For All Disclaimers Click Here: https://bit.ly/3Tcsfuc

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the primary functions of the stock market?

Answer Field

The primary function of the stock market is to provide a financial hub for investors and traders to generate wealth and companies to get funds for their expansion strategies.

How does the stock market facilitate capital formation?

Answer Field

The stock market plays a key role; capital formation. Investors and traders get to generate capital by putting their money in different types of securities in the stock market or buying and selling these securities during the right window. On the other hand, companies also benefit as they generate capital through investors.

What role does the stock market play in price discovery?

Answer Field

A rather interesting aspect of the stock market is that it has a key role in price discovery or determining the price of securities and a company’s value. Investors show interest or lack of interest in a company and based on this the value of stocks is determined.

How does the stock market provide liquidity to investors?

Answer Field

Liquidity allows investors and traders to encash their investments. The stock market creates a space where investors or traders can easily buy or sell securities without having to pay high charges and meet their requirements easily. Market makers play a crucial role in providing liquidity by engaging in buying/selling securities.

What is the importance of the stock market for the economy?

Answer Field

The stock market and the Indian economy are interlinked in many ways. When the prices of stock increase there is a boost in the economy's confidence, different sectors get funding through investors in the stock market and the stock market also works as an economic indicator for the government.

How do stock market functions impact individual investors?

Answer Field

The stock market is a luring place for investors to earn profit and generate a steady source of income by putting their money in different types of securities in the market like stocks, bonds, funds, equity etc.

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