Investing in stock markets has proven to be a highly profitable option, although it still has its risks. There are millions of investors who have already made a profit in the markets and they continue to do so. At the same time, there are many who tend to stay away from stocks simply because they can be far too confusing or too difficult for them to understand. There is so much information out there that you may not be entirely sure what to do with your money.
Before you decide to enter the markets, you should familiarize yourself with some common myths so that you can make a better decision. In this article, we will take a look at 7 of these common misconceptions about stock markets.
1. Only the rich can invest in stock markets
This is one of the most common myths about stock markets. At some point in our lives, we must have heard people say that they don’t invest in the markets because they aren’t rich enough. However, this is not true. As long as you have money available, you can invest. There are plenty of online stock brokers which don’t require a minimum deposit and they are often accompanied by low brokerage fees. Furthermore, you also have many promising stocks which are not that expensive, to begin with. As long as you pick your stocks correctly, you can very well end up making decent returns on your investment. The best you can do is research and there some of the finance blogs like Learn Investing where you get tips and tricks on how to invest in the stock market.
2. Market predictions can be trusted
Before you enter the exciting world of stock markets, you should know that they are constantly shifting. There are numerous factors at play here, all of which are linked so intricately a change in any one of them can cause a ripple effect in the markets. Furthermore, the performance of stock markets also depends on international conditions. It is next to impossible to predict with utmost certainty how a particular stock will behave.
3. What goes up comes down
Many people believe that a stock that goes up will come down, sooner or later. However, if a company is performing incredibly well, there is no reason why its stock should not increase in price. For example, the share price of MRF Limited, as of early July 2018, is close to Rs.75,000! The scrip has been on a bull run for the longest time and the reason for this lies in the company’s performance. That’s why, instead of believing in this myth, it’s better to carefully research and fundamentally analyze the company. Otherwise, you may end up losing an opportunity of a lifetime to benefit from an exceptional stock.
4. A stock that has fallen will rise again
This is the opposite of the last myth. One of the most common misconceptions that people have about the markets is that if a stock is trading close to its new 52-week low, it will rise again. If a company’s stock has fallen from Rs.600 to Rs.150, many people will invest in this company hoping that it will bounce back again. However, the company’s shares may be down because of a serious reason. Instead of blindly jumping on the bandwagon, research and understand why the company’s scrip has suffered and see whether it is worth investing.
5. Higher the risk, greater is the reward
You must have heard this phrase several times in different contexts, but if you invest in stock markets solely based on this philosophy, you will have a bad time. The thing with this myth is that you are only hearing one side of the story. What you are not hearing is the fact that it can lead to high losses too. For example, if you invest Rs.10,000 in a company which promises to be the ‘next big thing’ without doing your due diligence on the organization, then there is a possible scenario where you will end up losing all your investment.
That’s why it is better to take the low-risk path and invest in companies which are fundamentally sound. Investors like Rakesh Jhunjhunwala and Warren Buffett have benefited greatly from this strategy.
6. You have to be a financial expert to invest in the markets
It is a well-known fact that stock markets are quite complex and their intricacies can be difficult to understand for a layman. However, at the end of the day, it is buying and selling of securities. There are many people who have made a fortune in the markets without having attended an elementary class in economics or finance. Trading in stocks does not require a lot of expertise. It doesn’t even need the help of a financial expert. It is a subtle art which you need to master over time.
Yes, granted that you are likely to make mistakes in the beginning but as you move along, you will find yourself navigating through the world of stock markets rather easily. There is plenty of information on the internet to help you get started with the markets. Similarly, the likes of Peter Lynch and Warren Buffett have written many books on the subject, which are well worth a read.
7. Investing in stocks is like gambling
Of all the myths that we have listed in this article, this one is without a doubt the most common stock market myth. Many people don’t like to invest in stocks because they believe that it is just like gambling. However, you should know that nothing can be further from the truth.
When you purchase a stock of a company, you are essentially purchasing an ownership share in that organization. This means that as a shareholder, you are entitled to the assets and a fraction of the profits that the company makes, which are often referred to as dividends. One of the reasons why stock prices often vary is because investors are trying to determine how the company is performing. If the company goes on to perform well, it will be reflected in its stock price. That is why; it is possible to grow wealth by investing in companies which are fundamentally sound and are performing well. As the company grows, it will add value to the economy through its products and services.
Gambling, on the other hand, is a zero-sum game. No value is created here. It simply takes the money from the loser and hands it over to the winner. You can’t grow wealth here and for this reason, you should never confuse gambling with investing.
Final Thoughts
If you steer clear of these common myths on your journey to become a successful investor, then your odds of earning a decent return on your investment will greatly improve. As we have said time and again, always research the company you are planning to invest in, rather than blindly following the crowd. It will take some time and effort but in the end, it will be well worth it.