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Market Index: Definition, How Indexing Works, Types, and Examples

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Synopsis:

A market index is one of the most useful indicators in the stock market. An index typically represents the whole market or a segment of the market. For example, Nifty 50 represents the whole market. However, Nifty Auto represents automobile stocks.

By tracking an index, you can gauge the performance of underlying securities without having to track them individually. Hence, it can save you a lot of time and hassle.

You can even compare the performance of your mutual fund investments with a relevant index to assess how your investments are performing.

Market indexes are extremely useful indicators that can help all sorts of investors and traders. A variety of indices are available in the Indian stock market. Some represent the overall market; however, others represent certain segments or sectors of the market.

Whether you are a seasoned investor or a newbie, you must track indices because they help you understand how the market is behaving without having to track individual securities.

Read this blog, as it discusses how indexing works, the types of indices and their examples.

What is a Market Index?

A market index tracks the performance of either the overall market or of a specific group of shares, bonds, or any other securities. If a market index tracks the overall market, it will have securities representing the overall market. However, if it tracks a segment of the market (e.g., the banking sector), it will comprise securities only from that segment.  

An index’s value is based on the market prices of securities it is made up of. There can be several ways to calculate an index. For example, to market prices of securities, you can apply the market capitalisation of stocks as weights. For weights, you can even use the revenue of the companies comprising an index.

Understanding Market Indices

As discussed market indices either represent the overall market or a segment of the market. But, why do we need market indices? Let us say that you want to track the performance of pharma companies in India. In the absence of a market index, you will have to track the price and other market-related data of various pharma stocks on a day-to-day basis, which is cumbersome.

Instead, you can follow the movements in the NSE Pharma Index daily, which will give you a clear picture of how pharmaceutical stocks are doing in the market. Most indices are weighted. For weights, typically market capitalisation of stocks is considered. For example, indices often use free float market capitalisation of stocks as weights. Free float market capitalisation is based on the number of shares of a company that are readily available in the market for buying or selling.

Types of Market Indexes in India

Following are the most popular market indexes in India:

a)  Benchmark Indices: The two most popular benchmark indices in India are – Nifty 50 and BSE Sensex. Nifty 50 is made up of the top 50 stocks of the best-performing publicly traded companies. Similarly, BSE Sensex comprises the best 30 stocks in the Indian stock market. Both Nifty 50 and BSE Sensex comprise stocks belonging to a variety of sectors, like banking, pharma, information-technology, etc. Hence, they represent the overall Indian corporate sector.

b)  Sectoral Indices: These indices comprise stocks of a specific sector. For example, the NSE Pharma Index is made up of the best pharma stocks in India. Similarly, BSE Auto comprises the top auto stocks in the country. Sectoral indices help you track the performance of the sector they represent.

c)  Market-Cap Based Indices: Certain indices represent companies with a specific type of market capitalisation. For example, the BSE Large Cap Index tracks the performance of large-cap companies. Similarly, the Nifty Smallcap 100 Index reflects the performance of small-cap companies in the market.

d) Other Types of Indices: There are certain other kinds of indices as well in India. For example, the S&P BSE 500 comprises 500 of the largest and most actively traded companies listed on the BSE. Such indices provide you with an overview of a much broader section of the market than other indices, and hence they can be useful.

 What are the Major Stock Indexes in India?

If you are about to open demat account in India, you must track the performance of the following major stock market indices because that will be a good way to start your trading journey:

a)      BSE Sensex: BSE Sensex tracks the performance of 30 of the largest and most liquid stocks in India. As this index is based on the 30 best companies with operations in India, it gives you a picture of how the most well-established companies are doing in the country. It is based on the free-float market capitalisation of companies.

b)      Nifty 50: Nifty 50 is a market index based on the performance of the top 50 companies in India. Along with BSE Sensex, Nifty 50 is the most tracked stock market index in the country.

c)      Sector-Based Indexes: Apart from BSE Sensex and Nifty 50, there are many sector-based market indexes in India, which are prominent. Some of the popular sector-based indexes in India are Nifty Auto, Nifty Bank, Nifty Financial Services, etc.

Why are Indexes Useful to Investors?

Indexes are extremely useful to investors because they help them track the performance of many securities without having to individually track those securities. Let us say that you want to track the performance of automobile stocks in India.

Hence, every day you will have to track the stock prices of Hero Motocorp, Maruti Suzuki, Bajaj Auto, Tata Motors, Hyundai Motor, etc. This can be a cumbersome task, which can take a lot of time. Instead, you can track the performance of the Nifty Auto Index.

You can also compare the performance of your mutual fund (MF) investments with indexes. Let us say that you have invested in an MF that invests in banking stocks. By comparing the performance of that MF with the Nifty Bank index, you will be able to assess its performance.

Conclusion

For anyone willing to trade in the Indian stock market, it is a must to track the broad indices like Nifty 50 and BSE Sensex. Besides, they should also track the indices of the sectors they are keen on. For example, if they want to invest in IT stocks, they should track IT indices.

Even if they are passive investors who invest in mutual funds, they should track stock market indexes to compare the performance of their MF investments with the relevant indices.

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 is a market index, and how does it work?

Answer Field

A market index tracks the performance of either the overall market or of a segment of the market. An index captures the movements in the prices of securities comprising it. For example, by observing the movements of BSE Sensex, you can gauge the changes in the prices of 30 stocks that comprise Sensex.

How are market indices calculated?

Answer Field

To calculate a market index, we first need the prices of securities. Then, we need to assign a weight to the prices. For the purpose of weights, often market capitalisation of stocks is considered. However, an index can even use revenue or any other parameter for weighting.

What is the purpose of a market index in stock trading?

Answer Field

A market index tells you about the performance of underlying securities. Instead of tracking those securities individually, you can track an index, which will save you time and effort and yet you will be able to make trading decisions correctly.

How does a market index affect individual stock prices?

Answer Field

A market index does not directly affect individual stock prices. However, when an index moves up or down significantly, it sends a signal to investors based on which they can buy or sell stocks, which can change their prices.

What are the main types of market indices?

Answer Field

The main types of market indexes are Benchmark Indices (Nifty 50 & Sensex), Sectoral Indices (NSE Pharma Index, BSE Auto, etc.), Market-Cap Based Indices (BSE Large Cap Index, Nifty Smallcap 100 Index, etc.), and Other Types of Indices (S&P BSE 500, etc.).

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