Investment Risks in Stock Market

Before you start investing in the securities market, it’s crucial to understand and identify your investment goals, objectives, and risk appetite (the level of risk you are willing to take). Every investment decision should align with your personal needs and preferences. For example, consider whether you prefer safe investments that offer steady returns or if you’re willing to take on higher risk for the potential of higher returns. Each investment carries the risk of changes in its inherent value. For instance, investing in shares of the automobile industry involves risks associated with that sector, such as fluctuations in sales or the varying popularity of different car brands.

Once you have defined your goals and assessed your risk appetite, decide on the amount you want to invest and the time period for your investment. Risk tolerance varies among investors and can depend on individual goals and age.

Investors should be well informed about their rights, responsibilities, and the Do’s and Don’ts of investing.

Before investing in a company’s shares, investors should make informed decisions by thoroughly reviewing all relevant information about the company, such as disclosures about the company, its promoters, project details, and financial information. These details are available on the stock exchanges’ websites.

Investors can also seek guidance from SEBI-registered Investment Advisers. A list of these advisers can be found at the following link: SEBI Investment Advisers.

Key Risks in Investing in Securities Market

  • Market risk or Systematic Risk: It denotes the risk encountered by investments stemming from factors that influence the collective performance of securities and the broader economy of the nation.
  • Unsystematic Risk: Unsystematic risk, also known as company-specific or industry-specific risk, is the risk associated with a particular company or industry.
  • Inflation risk: Inflation risk, often referred to as purchasing power risk, is the possibility that the future cash flows from an investment may diminish in value due to a decrease in their purchasing power caused by inflation.
  • Liquidity risk:  Liquidity risk occurs when an investment cannot be swiftly bought or sold.
  • Business Risk: It denotes the risk that a company’s business operations could be impacted or halted due to unfavorable operational, market, or financial circumstances.
  • Volatility Risk: Volatility risk emerges from the potential for fluctuations in a company’s stock prices over time.
  • Currency Risk: It denotes the risk of potential losses resulting from fluctuating foreign exchange rates that investors may encounter when they have invested in foreign currency or made investments traded in foreign currency.

How to Mitigate the Risk?

Investors can endeavor to reduce risk through various methods. Asset allocation stands out as a strategy whereby investors can mitigate risk by diversifying their investments across different companies and asset classes.