Introduction
Navigating the stock market requires a strong understanding of the various regulations and measures that safeguard investor interests. Among these, the Additional Surveillance Measure (ASM) and the Graded Surveillance Measure (GSM) stand out. These mechanisms aim to protect investors from market manipulation and speculative activities. Here’s more about ASM and GSM to help you understand their frameworks, significance, and impact on your investments.
What Is ASM in the Stock Market?
ASM (full form: Additional Surveillance Measure) is a regulatory framework introduced by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and implemented by stock exchanges (BSE, NSE) to enhance market integrity. It focuses on stocks that show unusual price movements, high volatility, or speculative trading. The primary aim is to protect investors and maintain transparency in the market.
ASM doesn’t imply any wrongdoing by the listed stock but acts as a preventive measure to curb manipulation and safeguard the interests of retail investors.
Applicability of Long-Term ASM
Long-term ASM applies to stocks that exhibit consistent irregularities over an extended period. These stocks are monitored for issues like:
- Non-compliance
- Notable fluctuations in price movements.
- Unexpectedly high trading activity.
- Potential concerns about market manipulation or insider dealings.
- Issues related to financial discrepancies or questionable corporate governance practices.
Long-term ASM is crucial as it promotes market stability and prevents long-term investor exposure to undue risks. Once a stock enters the long-term ASM list, they are reviewed thoroughly based on the stage they fall under. In total, there are four stages and the stock can exit these stages upon meeting the relevant criteria.
Framework of ASM Stocks
There are two types of ASM frameworks – long-term and short-term additional surveillance measures. The type imposed is based on the nature of non-compliance or irregularity, and decides the duration of the scrutiny along with the specific steps to be undertaken. The long-term ASM, for example, has four distinct stages while the short-term ASM has only two.
Stage 1:
Securities are shortlisted using specific ASM (Additional Surveillance Measure) criteria.
The margin requirement is set at 100%, effective from T+3 days.
Stage 2:
Stocks already under Stage 1, which meet specified conditions for five consecutive trading days, progress to this stage.
Key conditions include notable price fluctuations and concentrated client activity.
A 100% margin remains applicable from T+3 days, and the price band is reduced to the next lower level.
Stage 3:
Stocks in Stage 2 that satisfy designated conditions for another five consecutive trading days move to this stage.
The margin requirement of 100% continues from T+3 days, with a further reduction in the price band to the next lower level.
Stage 4:
Stocks in Stage 3 that adhere to defined criteria for five continuous trading days advance to this final stage.
At this stage, settlement occurs on a gross basis, with a 100% margin applied to all clients and a restricted 5% price band.
How does ASM Help?
ASM enhances investor protection by reducing speculative trading and mitigating the risks of manipulation. It promotes fair pricing and helps maintain the stock market's stability. For investors, ASM acts as an early warning mechanism, encouraging caution when dealing with volatile or speculative stocks.
List of ASM Stocks
The list of ASM stocks is updated periodically by exchanges like the NSE and BSE. It includes stocks that meet the ASM criteria. These updates are publicly available and aim to ensure transparency for investors.
You can easily check the list here: https://www.nseindia.com/reports/asm
How Are Securities Selected for the ASM List?
Securities are shortlisted for the ASM framework using objective parameters jointly defined by SEBI and stock exchanges. These criteria cover a broad range of market-based and dynamic factors, including:
- High-low price variations
- Client concentration levels
- Day-to-day price fluctuations
- Market capitalisation
- Changes in trading volume
- Percentage of shares delivered
- Number of unique PANs involved
- Price-to-earnings (PE) ratio
What are the Different Types of Regulatory Measures under ASM?
ASM stocks are selected based on specific parameters, including:
- High price volatility: Stocks with erratic price movements.
- Concentration risk: Stocks dominated by a small group of investors.
- Volume spikes: Unusual trading volumes over a short period.
Once listed under ASM, trading restrictions like higher margins and reduced price bands are implemented to mitigate risks. It is worth noting that certain stocks are exempted from the long-term ASM framework. This includes Public Sector Enterprises and Banks, securities already under the Graded Surveillance Measure (GSM) list, those with derivative products available, and those already under the Trade for Trade segment.
How To Check the List of Stocks Under ASM?
You can easily check the list of ASM stocks on NSE by clicking here:
https://www.nseindia.com/reports/asm
What is the Significance of ASM-listed stocks?
ASM-listed stocks are under scrutiny for market irregularities, potentially making them riskier for speculative trading. For long-term investors, ASM can act as a cautionary flag to reassess their positions and avoid potential losses due to volatility or manipulation. It is also common for stocks under ASM to experience increased volatility and reduced liquidity. In any case, an ASM-listed stock requires further scrutiny and analysis before you decide to enter or exit a position in it.
What Should an Investor Do if They Find Their Stocks in the ASM List?
If your stock is on the ASM list:
- Avoid panic selling; ASM doesn’t mean a company is fraudulent.
- Reassess the fundamentals and long-term prospects of the stock.
- Stay informed about regulatory updates and ASM measures applied to the stock.
How Can You Be Aware of Stocks Under Surveillance Measures?
The list of securities under the ASM framework is periodically updated and made available on the exchange's website for reference. For NSE, the list of securities can be checked here:
https://www.nseindia.com/reports/asm
What Is GSM?
GSM (full form: Graded Surveillance Measure) is another regulatory initiative designed to address concerns in securities trading. It targets securities exhibiting pricing abnormalities in relation to their financial stability and fundamental metrics such as earnings, book value, fixed assets, net worth, P/E ratio, and market capitalisation.
GSM serves two main objectives: first, to alert and caution investors about the identified securities, and second, to encourage market participants to undertake comprehensive due diligence before trading in these securities. The framework classifies securities into different levels based on trading patterns, applying varying levels of surveillance and restrictions accordingly.
How Are Stocks Selected for the GSM List?
There are two main criteria for shortlisting and reviewing securities under the GSM list:
Condition 1:
A company qualifies if:
- Its net worth (calculated as Share Capital + Reserves & Surplus – debit balance in P&L) is ₹10 crore or less,
- Its Net Fixed Assets (Tangible Assets + Capital Work in Progress) are ₹25 crore or less,
- AND its PE ratio exceeds twice the PE of the Benchmark Index (Nifty 500) or is negative.
Condition 2:
A company is also considered if:
- Its market capitalisation is below ₹25 crore,
- AND its PE ratio exceeds twice the PE of the Benchmark Index (Nifty 500) or is negative.
- For securities with a negative PE ratio, the Price-to-Book (P/B) value is further evaluated. The criteria are:
- The P/B value is either more than twice the P/B value of the Benchmark Index (Nifty 500),
- OR the P/B value is negative.
How To Check the List of Stocks Under GSM?
You can easily check the list of GSM stocks on NSE by clicking here:
https://www.nseindia.com/reports/gsm
What is the difference between ASM and GSM?
While both ASM and GSM are regulatory frameworks built to safeguard the interest of retail investors, there are slight differences between how the two operate.
- Focus: ASM targets stocks with unusual market activity, while GSM focuses on fundamentally weak stocks.
- Applicability: ASM applies to speculative and volatile stocks; GSM applies to financially weak stocks.
- Measures: GSM often includes stricter trading restrictions compared to ASM.
Conclusion
ASM and GSM are vital mechanisms that ensure transparency, protect investors, and uphold market stability. While they may appear restrictive, they play a crucial role in fostering trust in the stock market. As an investor, staying informed and cautious about ASM and GSM-listed stocks will help you make better financial decisions and safeguard your portfolio.
If you wish to access the complete list for detailed insights, we've made it easy for you. Simply click the button below to download the CSV file directly. This file contains all the relevant data shared by the exchanges, allowing you to analyze and review it conveniently at your own pace.