Mumbai, India – Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman expressed concern over the increasing participation of Indian households in the stock markets, emphasizing the need to protect their savings. Speaking at an event hosted by the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), Sitharaman highlighted the risks associated with retail trading in the derivatives market.
Sitharaman warned that uncontrolled growth in retail trading in futures and options could pose challenges for market stability, investor confidence, and household finances. The Minister referenced a study by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) which revealed that a significant number of individual traders had incurred losses in the equity F&O segment during the previous fiscal year.
In response to these concerns, BSE announced measures to address sudden increases in options prices and enhance surveillance efforts. Sitharaman urged BSE to collaborate closely with SEBI to improve compliance standards and regulatory practices, ensuring the continued confidence of investors and promoting corporate governance among listed companies.
The Finance Minister emphasized the importance of safeguarding household savings, noting the shift towards investing in equities rather than traditional instruments. She encouraged exchanges to prioritize market stability, mitigate risks, and leverage technology such as blockchain, AI, and big data to enhance market efficiency.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the shift to online Know Your Customer (KYC) processes have spurred Indian families to allocate a portion of their savings to equities, leading to a significant increase in demat accounts and mutual fund assets. Sitharaman acknowledged the growing influence of retail investors in balancing Foreign Portfolio Investor (FPI) flows and the increased confidence in the Indian equity market due to shorter settlement cycles.
Addressing concerns about market volatility and foreign investor sell-offs, Sitharaman reassured investors about the stability of the future government. She underscored the market’s independent nature in responding to global and domestic situations while expressing confidence in the outcomes of the ongoing elections, assuring investors that there was no need for worry.
Overall, Sitharaman’s remarks at the BSE event underscored the government’s commitment to protecting household savings, enhancing market stability, and promoting investor confidence in the Indian stock market. Investors were encouraged to remain informed and seek professional advice before making investment decisions.