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Indices
Definition of Indices
Indices are a collection of financial instruments that measure the performance of those very instruments.
For example, stock market indices like Nifty 50 and Sensex measure the top 50 and 30 stocks by market capitalization.
If indices go up, it generally means that the underlying stocks are performing well. The opposite is true when indices plummet.
By the way, there’s no limit to how many instruments an index can track. The Nifty Smallcap 250 tracks 250 stocks whereas Nifty Bank tracks 12 stocks.
For example, stock market indices like Nifty 50 and Sensex measure the top 50 and 30 stocks by market capitalization.
If indices go up, it generally means that the underlying stocks are performing well. The opposite is true when indices plummet.
By the way, there’s no limit to how many instruments an index can track. The Nifty Smallcap 250 tracks 250 stocks whereas Nifty Bank tracks 12 stocks.
Related Terms
Income Stocks
Income stocks are shares of companies that help you earn a steady income, typically in the form of dividend payouts. At the same time, income stocks are known to have lower risk compared to others and thus, relatively decent returns over a period of time. But the consistently growing dividend yield makes up for the perceived lack of returns.
Capital Growth
Capital growth is the profits an investment generates on the principal amount. Since the capital grows on earning profits, the term capital growth is also used to describe the overall corpus of an individual (principal + profits).
Swap
A swap is a financial agreement between two parties. They exchange cash flows or liabilities, mostly to manage risk. Common examples of swaps include currency swaps or interest rate swaps. For instance, one party may swap a fixed interest payment for a floating one to hedge against changes in interest rates. A swap helps both parties involved manage exposure and optimize financing costs.
Gold ETF
A gold ETF is an exchange-traded fund that invests in gold bullion. Every unit of a gold ETF is backed by one gram of gold of assured purity that is held in the physical or demat form (digital).
Gold ETFs combine the lucrative value of gold with the liquidity of stocks. Thus, gold ETFs track the price of gold bullion and are traded on stock exchanges like NSE and BSE.
Gold ETFs combine the lucrative value of gold with the liquidity of stocks. Thus, gold ETFs track the price of gold bullion and are traded on stock exchanges like NSE and BSE.
Basis Trading
Basis trading means futures trading strategies that use the difference between the spot price and the futures contract price of a stock or commodity.
The difference between the spot and futures prices forms the “basis” for the trading strategy. Hence the name basis trading. These are the two ways in which a trader may use the basis:
The difference between the spot and futures prices forms the “basis” for the trading strategy. Hence the name basis trading. These are the two ways in which a trader may use the basis:
- Short the basis : Done if the price difference or basis is expected to reduce
- Long the basis :Done if the price difference or basis is expected to increase
Debentures
A debenture is a legal certificate that a company issues in exchange for a long-term unsecured loan. A debt instrument like a debenture is issued by companies who want to fund their business without diluting existing shares.
The components of a debenture are as follows:
The components of a debenture are as follows:
- Principal: The loan amount or the money lent by an investor
- Tenure: The duration of the loan
- Interest rate: The rate of interest
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Repayment: Terms and conditions of the amount to be repaid
Debenetures can also be issued by small-size companies who may not be creditworthy enough to secure a loan from traditional lenders. Hence, the unsecured aspect of the loan may help achieve their objective.
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