We are all aware of and agree on the importance of investing. Where to invest in an often contested topic. Should one stick to safe, conventional investing vehicles such as bank fixed deposits, post office savings schemes, and PPF, or should one branch out and play in the stock market? Investing in the stock market has the potential to generate higher returns than investing in fixed-income securities.
RETURNS COULD BE EXTREMELY HIGH
Investing in the stocks enables you to potentially earn a better rate of return on your investment. Thus, traveling here provides an opportunity to multiply your money over time and accumulate riches for various life goals. If you purchase shares in a reliable company and retain them for an extended length of time, you can amass a sizable fortune.
IT BEATS INFLATION’S EFFECTS
Inflation is the gradual increase in an economy’s price levels over time. It depreciates the value of your investments and your money’s purchasing power. A food item that costs 100 rupees now may cost 120 rupees next year. Bank FDs and PPF returns are unlikely to outperform the effects of inflation. As a result, they cannot effectively combat inflation. If you remain invested over the long term, the returns from the stock market are significantly larger and can help you beat inflation.
DIVERSIFICATION
Diversification is a fundamental principle of investment. You can invest in various asset classes in the stock market, including debt instruments, common stock, preference shares, large-cap stocks, mid-cap stocks, and small-cap stocks. You can diversify risk by investing in a variety of securities. Thus, if one’s returns decline, the other can compensate. However, it is critical to avoid over-diversification, as this will add no real value to your investment.
SIMPLICITY AND FLEXIBILITY
Investing in the stock market is straightforward. All you need is a disciplined commitment to long-term investing and a little background research on the firms in which you wish to invest. You can do it on your own or with the assistance of a broker. All that is required is a trading and depository account. Similarly, because stock market investments are not subject to a lock-in period, you can purchase and sell shares at any time. You can invest amounts as little as Rs. 100. Stocks can be given as a gift to a recipient, with the recipient benefiting from any price appreciation. Giving stock as a gift can also benefit the giver, remarkably if the stock has risen in value since the gift was made, as the giver can avoid paying taxes on those earnings or gains. Although there are numerous methods for gifting stock, the process is dependent on how the stock is currently owned.
STOCKS MAKE FANTASTIC GIFTS AS WELL!
Stocks can be given as a gift to a recipient, with the recipient benefiting from any price appreciation.
Transferring stock from an existing brokerage account to a recipient’s brokerage account requires an electronic transfer of the shares.
Additionally, investors can purchase a single share of a stock through their broker or organizations specializing in single share sales.
Understanding How to Make a Stock Gift
Giving stock as a gift can be a fun way to pique interest in the stock market, a company, or an industry. Through a brokerage business, stock shares can be gifted to recipients from an existing investment portfolio. Additionally, single shares of stock can be gifted to youngsters to teach them about money, investing, and saving.
Please keep in mind that gifted shares that generate a capital gain will be transferred to the receiver along with the gain. As a result, when the receiver sells those shares, they must pay capital gains taxes on the difference between the initial cost basis or purchase price and the selling price. Please consult a tax expert since capital gains taxes on short-term versus long-term holdings may be different.
CHANGING THE OWNERSHIP OF A STOCK CERTIFICATE
If the stock is kept in certificate form, a physical stock transfer will be necessary. The stock must be endorsed by the owner in the presence of a guarantor, who may be their bank or broker. Additionally, the certificate may include a document for transferring ownership. After completion, the certificate becomes non-negotiable and transferable.
TRANSFERRING STOCK VIA A BROKER
Typically, there will be no actual stock; instead, the shares will be held electronically in a brokerage account. The sender or recipient of the shares may transfer all or a portion of their stock holdings to a particular company. Numerous brokers also allow for periodic gifting of shares. For instance, the sender and broker could agree to give or transfer shares to a child on the child’s birthday each year.
Most brokerage accounts demand written and signed consent from the sender, along with detailed instructions on how to complete the transfer. Generally, a broker will have an online form that may be filled out with the following information:
- Information about the sender
- Name and address of the account
- Stock description (the number of shares and the name of the company)
- Information on the Recipient
- Name of the account Account number
The process should be relatively straightforward if the shares are to be transferred inside the same brokerage business. If the transfer is being made to another financial institution, the sender should contact the receiving institution to ascertain the receiving institution’s processes for completing a stock ownership transfer. Since shares can be transferred electronically from the sending broker, the receiving institution will undoubtedly have an address to which the written authorisation or electronic transfer instructions should be delivered.
Additionally, the sender must ensure that an account has been opened with the receiving broker before performing the transfer.
A SINGLE SHARE AS A GIFT
Additionally, you can gift a single share of stock, which can help spark a child’s interest in the financial markets. Investors can purchase a single share of stock through their broker or organisations specialising in single-share sales.
A share might be customised to a youngster or adolescent’s interests or activities. For instance, a single share of Nintendo or Sony could be handed to a young gamer. Gifting a single share of Disney to a younger child can be a fun way to introduce them to stock ownership.
