Why most of the Indians fear to invest in Share Markets even today?

1.Lack of trust

The Indian stock market has had its share of past financial scams such as those involving Harshad Mehta and Ketan Parekh – that resulted in many stock market investors losing their money. Some of the recent scams include the Nirav Modi scam and the Satyam Computers scam.

2. Lack of knowledge

Most Indian investors lack a basic knowledge about the way stocks markets function. Despite extensive information on fundamentally strong stocks and companies, investors are reluctant to invest their hard-earned money into these companies.

Other investors believe that the stock market is an avenue for turning “quick profits.” As a result, they lack the necessary patience and end up buying – or even selling – stocks in quick time.

3. Availability of other financial instruments

Simply ask your friends or family members about where they usually invest their money. Most would answer – gold, fixed deposits & bonds, or even real estate. That is the reality – other financial assets (including gold) account for 30% of investments in India – while being just 10% around the world.

Comparatively, equities account for just 12.9% of investments in India – compared to 26.1% in the rest of the world.

4. Lack of capital

Take a look at the “top guns” or success stories of the stock market – the likes of your Rakesh Jhunjhunwalas or Rakesh Kedias. This has created a perception that you need to invest loads of capital or money into stocks – in order to earn healthy returns. But that is far from the truth – many successful investors have started small during their early days, working slowly and steadily towards sustainable profits.

For example, a systematic investment plan (SIP) in mutual funds can be started with a monthly investment of just 1000/- (as shown in the figure).

5. No appetite for risk

When it is a matter of investing their money, most Indians do not have the appetite to take risks. That is the reason why Indians invest in financial instruments like fixed deposits and gold – that are regarded safer in the long run.

Despite their higher returns, equity investments – along with mutual funds – do have an inherent element of risk that keeps most investors away. An additional risk factor is that common and small-time investors need to depend on the financial advice of “friends” or “experts” – as most don’t have the time to track or understand the equity market themselves

Source: Pavan Kumar