SEBI Regulations
SEBI Regulations: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is the regulator for the securities market in India. It was established in 1988 and given statutory powers on 30 January 1992 through the SEBI Act, 1992.
Initially, SEBI was a nonstatutory body without any statutory power. However, in 1992, the SEBI was given additional statutory power by the Government of India through an amendment to the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992. In April 1988 the SEBI was constituted as the regulator of capital markets in India under a resolution of the Government of India.
Its main objective was to promote orderly and healthy growth of securities and to provide protection to investors.
Role of SEBI
The main objective is to create such an environment that facilitates efficient mobilization and allocation of resources through the securities market. This environment consists of rules and regulations, policy framework, practices and infrastructures to meet the needs of three groups which mainly constitute the market i.e. issuers of securities (companies), the investors and the market intermediaries.
(i) To the Issuers
SEBI aims to provide a marketplace to the issuers where they can confidently look forward to raise the required amount of funds in an easy and efficient manner.
(ii) To the Investors
SEBI aims to protect the right and interests of the investors by providing adequate, accurate and authentic information on a regular basis.
(iii) To the Intermediaries
In order to enable the intermediaries to provide better service to the investors and the issuers, SEBI provides a competitive, professionalized, and expanding market to them having adequate and efficient infrastructure.
SEBI Regulations
Stock Exchanges
The secondary tier of the capital market is what we call the stock market or the stock exchange. The stock exchange is a virtual market where buyers and sellers trade in existing securities. It is a market hosted by an institute or any such government body where shares, stocks, debentures, bonds, futures, options, etc are traded.
A stock exchange is a meeting place for buyers and sellers. These can be brokers, agents, or individuals. The price of the commodity is decided by the rules of demand and supply. In India, the most prominent stock exchange is the Bombay Stock Exchange. There are a total of twenty-one stock exchanges in India.
How Does the Stock Market Work?
If the thought of investing in the stock market scares you, you are not alone. Individuals with very limited experience in stock investing are either terrified by horror stories of the average investor losing 50% of their portfolio value – for example, in the two bear markets that have already occurred in this millennium – or are beguiled by “hot tips” that bear the promise of huge rewards but seldom pay off. It is not surprising, then, that the pendulum of investment sentiment is said to swing between fear and greed.
The reality is that investing in the stock market carries risk, but when approached in a disciplined manner, it is one of the most efficient ways to build up one’s net worth. While the value of one’s home typically accounts for most of the net worth of the average individual, most of the affluent and very rich generally have the majority of their wealth invested in stocks. In order to understand the mechanics of the stock market, let’s begin by delving into the definition of a stock and its different types.
Functions of the Stock Exchange
Liquidity and Marketability: One of the main drawing factors of the stock exchange is that it enables high liquidity. The securities can be sold at a moment’s notice and be converted to cash. It is a continuous market and the investors can divest and reinvest with ease as per their wishes.
Price Determination: In a secondary market, the only way to determine the price of securities in via the rules of supply and demand. A stock exchange enables this process via constant valuation of all the securities. Such prices of shares of various companies can be tracked via the index we call the Sensex.
Safety: The government strictly governs and regulates the stock exchanges. In the case of the BSE, the Securities Board of India is the governing body. All the transactions occur within the legal framework. This provides the investor with assurances and a safe place to transact in securities.
Contribution to the Economy: As we know the stock exchange deals in already issued securities. But these securities are continuously sold and resold and so on. This allows the funds to be mobilized and channelized instead of sitting idle. This boosts the economy.
Spreading of Equity: The stock exchange ensures wider ownership of securities. It actually educates the public about the safety and benefits of investing in the stock market. It ensures a better quality of transactions and smooth functioning. The idea is to get more public investors and spread the ownership of securities for the benefit of everyone.
Speculation: One often hears that the stock exchange is a speculative market. And while this is true, the speculation is kept within the legal framework. For the stake of liquidity and price determination, a healthy dose of speculative trading is necessary, and the stock exchange provides us with such a platform.