Understanding Share Trading

Blog post description.

Mr. Arunabha Chakraborty

11/26/20252 min read

Share trading involves buying and selling shares of publicly listed companies on stock exchanges. When you purchase a share, you become a partial owner of that company and your return comes from price appreciation and potentially dividends. The major stock exchanges in India include the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).

Why consider share trading?

  • Growth potential: Individual stocks can offer significant upside if the company performs strongly.

  • Liquidity: Stocks can often be bought and sold quickly on exchanges, making them a relatively liquid asset.

  • Ownership: Shares give you a stake in companies and the chance to benefit from business success.

Risks and trade-offs
Share trading is inherently riskier than many other investment styles. Prices can move sharply up or down—sometimes due to market sentiment, regulatory changes, or company-specific news. Past performance of a stock is not a reliable indicator of future results. Ownership also brings risk: companies may underperform, face scandals or go bankrupt.

How to approach share trading

  1. Define your objective. Are you trading for short-term gains (day trading, swing trading) or investing for the longer term (buy-and-hold)? Your strategy influences your risk and required discipline.

  2. Understand the company. For longer-term investments, research the business model, financial health, management and competitive edge.

  3. Risk management counts. Set stop-loss levels (for trading), diversify across stocks or sectors to reduce company-specific risk, and only invest money you can afford to lose.

  4. Stay informed. Monitor financial news, company results, data releases and market sentiment.

  5. Avoid emotional trading. Impulsive decisions driven by fear or greed often lead to mistakes. A disciplined plan is key.

Conclusion
Share trading can be a powerful way to participate in the growth of companies and benefit from financial markets. It requires careful strategy, risk awareness and consistent discipline. Whether you choose short-term trading or long-term investment, aligning your actions with your goals, risk-tolerance and time horizon is critical.

Standard Disclaimer
The content above is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any security. Share trading is subject to market risk including the risk of loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. Before undertaking any trading or investment, you should consult with a qualified financial advisor who understands your specific financial situation, goals, and risk tolerance.