Dr Shashank M Hiremath

Futures and Options Trading: The Gamble of Tomorrow Rajiv leaned back in his chair, eyes glued to the screen showing live market data. Numbers flickered as if teasing him, reflecting both opportunity and risk. He had been trading futures and options for a few years, with moderate success, but today he was feeling ambitious. Nifty was trading near an all-time high, and analysts were split on where it would go next. He believed he saw an opportunity - one that could make him more in a month than he’d made all year. Or… it could leave him in debt. But that was the allure of the market. He took a deep breath and logged into his brokerage account, skimming through the available contracts. A recent rally had pushed Nifty up to 24,550, and Rajiv was betting that it had more room to grow before month’s end. But he wasn’t interested in buying stocks outright. Futures and options trading - derivatives - was where he found his thrill. For weeks, he’d analyzed historical price movements, read econ...

 Dear Readers, Greetings!! The stock market's allure has grown immensely in recent years, drawing in a diverse array of participants across various demographics in India. Let's delve into the investment behaviours of different groups, shedding light on the approaches and perspectives of college students, working professionals, homemakers, entrepreneurs, and the self-employed within the Indian context. College Students: For college students, entering the stock market often represents an opportunity to learn and gain firsthand experience in financial markets. Their investment behaviour tends to be more exploratory and experimental. With limited funds, they might take smaller positions, often driven by curiosity and the desire to grasp market dynamics. Many turn to online resources, educational platforms, and apps to understand the basics of investing. However, risk-taking tendencies may be higher due to a lack of experience and a smaller financial cushion. Working Professionals: ...