Introduction to Investments – Meaning, Objectives and Elements

Concept of Investment Investment is the employment of funds with the aim of getting return on it. In general terms, investment means the use of money in the hope of making more money. In finance, investment means the purchase of a financial product or other item of value with an expectation of favorable future returns. Investment of hard earned money is a crucial activity of every human being. Investment is the commitment of funds which have been saved from current consumption with the hope that some benefits will be received in future. Thus, it is a reward for waiting for money. Savings of the people are invested in assets depending on their risk and return demands. Investment refers to the concept of deferred consumption, which involves purchasing an asset, giving a loan or keeping funds in a bank account with the aim of generating future returns. Various investment options areContinue reading

SEBI (Prohibition of Fraudulent and Unfair Trade Practices relating to the Securities Market) Regulations, 2003

The SEBI (Prohibition of Fraudulent and Unfair Trade Practices relating to the Securities Market) Regulations, 2003 enable SEBI to investigate into cases of market manipulation and fraudulent and unfair trade practices. The regulations specifically prohibit market manipulation, misleading statements to induce sale or purchase of securities, unfair trade practices relating to securities. SEBI can conduct investigation, suo moto or upon information received by it, by an investigating officer in respect of conduct and affairs of any person dealing, buying/selling/dealing in securities. Based on the report of the investigating officer, SEBI can initiate action for suspension or cancellation of registration of an intermediary. The term “fraud” has been defined by Regulation 2(1)(c). Fraud includes any act, expression, omission or concealment committed whether in a deceitful manner or not by a person or by any other person or his agent while dealing in securities in order to induce another person with hisContinue reading

SEBI(Prohibition of Insider Trading) Regulations, 1992

Insider trading is prohibited and is considered an offence vide SEBI (Insider Trading) Regulations, 1992. The definitions of some of the important terms are given below : ‘Dealing in securities’ means an act of subscribing, buying, selling or agreeing to subscribe, buy, sell or deal in any securities by any person either as principal or agent. ‘Insider’ means any person who, is or was connected with the company or is deemed to have been connected with the company, and who is reasonably expected to have access to unpublished price sensitive information in respect of securities of a company, or who has received or has had access to such unpublished price sensitive information. A “connected person” means any person who- (i) is a director, as defined in clause (13) of section 2 of the Companies Act, 1956 of a company, or is deemed to be a director of that company byContinue reading

SEBI (Stock brokers & Sub-brokers) Regulations, 1992

In terms of regulation 2(g), ‘small investor’ means any investor buying or selling securities on a cash transaction for a market value not exceeding rupees fifty thousand in aggregate on any day as shown in a contract note issued by the stock-broker. Registration of Stock Broker A stock broker applies in the prescribed format for grant of a certificate through the stock exchange or stock exchanges, as the case may be, of which he is admitted as a member (Regulation 3). The stock exchange forwards the application form to SEBI as early as possible as but not later than thirty days from the date of its receipt. SEBI takes into account for considering the grant of a certificate all matters relating to buying, selling, or dealing in securities and in particular the following, namely, whether the stock broker: (a) is eligible to be admitted as a member of a stockContinue reading

Securites and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992

Major part of the liberalisation process was the repeal of the Capital Issues (Control) Act, 1947, in May 1992. With this, Government’s control over issues of capital, pricing of the issues, fixing of premia and rates of interest on debentures etc. ceased, and the office which administered the Act was abolished: the market was allowed to allocate resources to competing uses. However, to ensure effective regulation of the market, Securites and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992 was enacted to establish SEBI with statutory powers for: (a) protecting the interests of investors in securities, (b) promoting the development of the securities market, and (c) regulating the securities market. Its regulatory jurisdiction extends over companies listed on Stock Exchanges and companies intending to get their securities listed on any recognized stock exchange in the issuance of securities and transfer of securities, in addition to all intermediaries and persons associated with securitiesContinue reading

Securities Contracts (Regulation) Rules, 1957

The Central Government has made Securities Contracts (Regulation) Rules, 1957, in the exercise of the powers conferred by section 30 of SC(R) Act., 1956 for carrying out the purposes of that Act. The powers under the SC(R)R, 1957 are exercisable by SEBI. Contracts between members of recognised stock exchange All contracts between the members of a recognised stock exchange shall be confirmed in writing and shall be enforced in accordance with the rules and bye-laws of the stock exchange of which they are members (Rule 9). Books of account and other documents to be maintained and preserved by every member of a recognised stock exchange : (1) Every member of a recognised stock exchange shall maintain and preserve the following books of account and documents for a period of five years: (a) Register of transactions (Sauda book). (b) Clients’ ledger. (c) General ledger. (d) Journals. (e) Cash book. (f) BankContinue reading