A trading terminal is a powerful tool that enables investors and traders to execute trades, analyze market trends, and manage portfolios. It provides real-time access to stock prices, charts, indicators, and other crucial data. With a stock market terminal, users can place market, limit, and stop-loss orders efficiently.
Modern trading terminals are equipped with features such as advanced charting tools, algorithmic trading capabilities, and integration with news feeds. They support trading across multiple asset classes, including stocks, commodities, derivatives, and forex. Whether you are a beginner or a professional trader, a trading terminal helps streamline investment decisions and enhances trading efficiency.
What is a Trading Terminal?
A trading terminal is an electronic platform used by traders and investors to buy and sell securities. It connects users to stock exchanges, allowing them to execute trades in real-time. These share market terminals offer various analytical tools, including technical charts, indicators, and historical data, to assist traders in making informed decisions.
Trading terminals come in different types, such as web-based platforms, desktop applications, and mobile apps. They also provide essential market data, including price movements, order book details, and trade execution reports. With enhanced security measures and seamless access to financial markets, trading terminals are indispensable for active market participants.
How to Invest with Your Trading Terminal?
To invest using a stock market terminal, start by selecting a brokerage platform that offers a terminal with robust features. Open a trading account, complete the KYC verification, and fund your account to begin trading. Once set up, explore the interface to familiarize yourself with market watchlists, charting tools, and order placement features.
Next, analyze stocks based on technical or fundamental factors and place orders accordingly. You can execute market orders for immediate trades or limit orders to set a preferred price. Risk management tools like stop-loss and trailing stop orders help protect investments. Regularly monitor market trends and adjust your portfolio as needed.
Previous Day's Close
The previous day's close refers to the last trading price of a security before the market closed. This value serves as a benchmark for the next trading session and helps traders assess overnight market trends.
OHLC Data
OHLC (Open, High, Low, Close) data provides a snapshot of a stock’s price movement during a specific period. It is crucial for technical analysis, helping traders identify trends and potential entry or exit points.
Volumes
Trading volume represents the total number of shares or contracts traded in a specific period. High volume indicates strong market interest, while low volume may suggest reduced activity or lack of liquidity.
Market Depth
Market depth displays the number of buy and sell orders at different price levels for a security. It helps traders understand liquidity, identify support and resistance levels, and make better trading decisions.
What Happens When You Buy a Stock?
When you buy a stock, your order is sent to the exchange through your broker. The order is matched with a seller, and once executed, the trade is confirmed. The exchange records the transaction, and the stock is credited to your demat account on T+1 (next trading day).
The buying process also involves brokerage fees, taxes, and exchange charges. Your broker facilitates the trade and ensures regulatory compliance. Successful stock purchases depend on factors such as liquidity, bid-ask spreads, and market conditions.
Brokerage
Brokerage is the fee charged by your broker for executing buy and sell orders. It can be a fixed rate or a percentage of the trade value, varying across brokerage firms.
Securities Transaction Tax (STT)
STT is a government-imposed tax on the purchase and sale of securities. It is levied on equity trades, derivatives, and mutual fund transactions conducted on recognized stock exchanges.
Exchange Transaction Charges
These charges are fees imposed by stock exchanges for facilitating trades. They are a small percentage of the trade value and vary based on the exchange and type of security traded.
GST
Goods and Services Tax (GST) is applicable to brokerage and exchange transaction charges. The current GST rate is 18% on brokerage and other applicable charges.
SEBI Charges
SEBI charges are regulatory fees imposed by the Securities and Exchange Board of India for overseeing market transactions. These charges ensure compliance and market integrity.
Day 2 – T+1 Day
On T+1 day, the stock sale process moves forward as the trade is officially recorded and cleared by the exchange. At this stage, your brokerage and the clearinghouse work together to validate the transaction details, ensuring that the shares are available for transfer to the buyer. While the proceeds from the sale are reflected in your account balance, they remain unsettled and cannot yet be withdrawn or used for further transactions requiring settled funds.
During this period, investors should be mindful of potential market fluctuations and tax implications. If you plan to reinvest, some brokerages allow immediate use of unsettled funds, but restrictions may apply. It’s important to track the settlement process to manage liquidity and investment decisions effectively.
What Happens When You Sell a Stock?
When you sell a stock, you are essentially closing your position in that particular investment. The process begins when you place a sell order through your brokerage account. Depending on the order type—market, limit, or stop-loss—the stock may be sold instantly at the current market price or when it reaches a specified price level. Once the sale is executed, the shares are transferred from your account to the buyer’s, and you receive the corresponding proceeds from the sale.
After selling a stock, the proceeds are credited to your brokerage account, usually within two business days, as per the settlement cycle known as T+2. However, selling a stock may have financial implications, including capital gains taxes. If you sold the stock for more than you paid for it, the profit is subject to taxation, with rates depending on whether it was a short-term or long-term gain. Short-term gains, from stocks held for less than a year, are taxed at a higher rate than long-term gains.
Another key aspect to consider is the impact on your portfolio. Selling a stock may change your asset allocation, risk exposure, and investment strategy. If the stock was a major holding, its sale could reduce diversification and require reinvestment elsewhere. Investors often sell stocks to realize profits, cut losses, or rebalance their portfolios based on market conditions or personal financial goals.
Finally, emotions can play a role in selling decisions. Fear, greed, or market speculation can sometimes drive investors to sell prematurely or hold onto declining stocks for too long. Successful investors maintain a disciplined approach, ensuring their selling decisions align with their long-term financial strategies rather than short-term market fluctuations.
Conclusion
Trading terminals simplify the buying and selling of securities by offering real-time market access and analysis tools. They provide investors with the ability to track stock movements, manage orders, and execute trades efficiently.
By understanding market mechanisms, brokerage fees, and regulatory charges, traders can optimize their investment strategies. Leveraging a share market terminal effectively enhances decision-making and trading success.