With significant increase in retail investors participation during last few years, stock prices were on rise with mid & small cap index making all time high in Jan 2018 last year. As many new investors get into stock market during such times, its always important for an individual investor to understand what is his/her investment profile and risk tolerance.
From Jan 2018 onwards, with lot of pessimism building around equity market due to global as well as domestic factors, we have seen severe correction in broader markets over next 14 months. Since beginning of last year, we have seen severe correction in broader indices. Even after pre election rally in markets, BSE Small Cap & BSE Mid Cap Index is still down by 26% & 16% respectively from their all time high made in January last year. Steep fall in broader indices have hurt sentiments and created panic for many of retail investors who got into market during last couple of years. Its important to know, whether you would be able to hold on your equity investments, think to exit if stock market tanks further or accumulate good companies available at reasonable to attractive valuations after a long time.
Its always wise to be greedy when others are fearful. Fall in stock prices of small and mid cap companies by 40% to 60% from their peaks use to happen during panic times, if a particular company delivers 3x to 5x or even 10x type of returns on your investments in period of 3 to 7 years, it can easily fall by 40% to 60% or even more from its 52 week high during tough times which arises due to profit / loss booking, series of negative events / news flows and severe sell off due to panic across markets. Below are some of the major reasons of severe fall in stocks prices of small & mid cap stocks since beginning of 2018:
ii) Introduction of Additional Surveillance Measures by SEBI to curb volatility
iii) Auditors exit from various companies on fear of stringent action from authorities
iv) Unfavourable macros with increasing crude oil prices and depreciating rupee
v) Trade war fears between US and China, rising interest rates, continuous selling by FIIs
vi) Panic in market due to liquidity concerns, IL&FS default on debt repayments
vii) Political uncertainty with setback of BJP in assembly elections in 3 key states
viii) Concerns in market due to severe sell off in large caps stocks like Zee, Tata Motors
ix) Panic arising due to stock prices of ADAG companies falling line nine pins
x) Nervousness on Dalal street with rise in geopolitical tensions post Pulwama attack
Historical data indicates that most of the new investors get fascinated towards stock market to make quick bucks and finally end up loosing their capital as they cant hold on their stocks in case market corrects and sell out their stocks in a panic. Stock market is not a money making machine, you need not to be greedy on rising market or fearful when stock market falls, simply buy right and sit tight having sufficient patience with you to see your investment growing over a period of time.
We strongly recommend our members (who are new to stock market) to kindly go through our Asset Allocation Questionnaire to understand your investment profile and risk tolerance.
By answering 15 questions about your risk preferences, you can find out your investment profile and risk tolerance. This score will determine the asset allocation that best suits your risk preferences, you can use our simple excel workbook - Saral Gyan Asset Allocation Questionnaire which suggests the optimum split between cash, bonds and stocks.
Time has shown that smart investors have made their fortune by investing in equities in long term. None other asset class can match giving you such extra ordinary returns. Yes, its important for you to invest in right set of companies at right price with medium to long term perspective. If you think to invest in stocks for period of 3 to 6 months or even 12 months, we suggest you to stay out of stock market because you are not investing, you are betting on volatility of stock market which could be risky.
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