Markets today

Sensex	21074.59	41.88	0.20%
Nifty	6278.90	10.50	0.17%
Gold	Rupees
22 Ct - 1 gm	2782.00
22 Ct - 8 gms	22256.00
24 Ct - 1 gm	2975.00
24 Ct - 10 gms	29750.00
Silver	Rupees
1 gm	46.60
Currency	Rupees
Dollar	62.11	0.31	0.50%
Euro	85.04	0.52	0.61%
Pound	101.73	0.72	0.71%

Market Updates

Sensex	21032.71	68.32	-0.32%
Nifty	6268.40	16.10	-0.26%
Gold	Rupees
22 Ct - 1 gm	2786.00
22 Ct - 8 gms	22288.00
24 Ct - 1 gm	2979.00
24 Ct - 10 gms	29790.00
Silver	Rupees
1 gm	46.30
Currency	Rupees
Dollar	61.79	0.16	-0.26%
Euro	84.58	0.09	0.11%
Pound	100.76	0.35	-0.35%

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Market Updates

Sensex	21032.71	68.32	-0.32%
Nifty	6268.40	16.10	-0.26%
Gold	Rupees
22 Ct - 1 gm	2782.00
22 Ct - 8 gms	22256.00
24 Ct - 1 gm	2975.00
24 Ct - 10 gms	29750.00
Silver	Rupees
1 gm	46.30
Currency	Rupees
Dollar	61.79	0.16	-0.26%
Euro	84.43	0.42	-0.50%
Pound	101.10	0.21	-0.21%

The Investment space (ispaze) is the place for all the financial information. The blog explains each and every financial terminologies, investment options, diversification of funds, income tax information, and savings. It covers other financial areas as well.

Let us look into various investment options available in India.

Deposits

                Deposits are one of the secured forms of investment. Deposits provide you with a regular return on investments. It’s also called as term deposits as it always extends for a specific period of years.   Deposits can be classified as Fixed and Recurring deposits.

                Fixed Deposits are deposits for a specific term for a fixed interest rate. The funds deposited under the fixed deposit scheme can earn interest at monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, yearly or at the end of the tenure based on the option chosen by the depositor.

                Recurring Deposits are also deposits for a specific term, but the difference with respect to fixed deposits is the amount is invested on regular basis. Fixed deposits are one time investment which earns interest regularly. Recurring deposits are one where the investment has to be made on recurring basis, say every month a certain amount is deposited to the banks.    

                In India, Banks offers attractive interest rates for both fixed and recurring deposits. There are deposits offered by Companies also. 

Bonds

                Bonds are contract between the issuer and the holder wherein the issuer has to pay a fixed interest to the holder and has to repay the principal on maturity of the bond. The interests are paid at regular intervals (Half-yearly, annual or monthly). Bonds can be traded in the secondary market (covered in later phase) where it is listed. Bonds can a fixed rate government bonds, tax free bonds and capital gain bonds issued on time to time.

Saving Schemes

                Similar to bank deposits, in India, there are small saving schemes available for safe and secured returns on your investment.  Post Offices offer Monthly Investment Scheme (MIS), National Savings Certificate (NSC), Savings account and Time deposit scheme. There is also a Public Provident Fund (PPF) for a term of 15 years.

Non Convertible Debentures

                Non Convertible debentures (NCD) are debt instrument issued by the companies for the purpose of raising money for business. These are issued for a fixed tenure and with definite rate of return. These can be traded in the secondary market as well.

Equities

                The shares of the companies form the equity investment. These are highly risky investment. It needs more knowledge about the companies and analysis before you investment on any company. The Equity market may be of two types, Primary and the Secondary Market.

                The Primary market is the market for new issue of shares or the Initial Public Offering (IPO) which will be listed in the stock exchanges on a later date. In India, National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) are the major stock exchanges. There are other stock exchanges available as well. These stock exchanges form the secondary market. The stocks issued through public issue are listed and traded through these stock exchanges.    

Mutual Funds

                Mutual Funds are nothing but pooling of funds from various investors and investing in various financial instruments. Here the process of analysing the stocks or other instruments is taken care by the Fund Managers reducing the burden of the investor.  But again choosing the right fund is in the hands of the investor.

                Mutual Funds may be of Equity fund, Debt fund, Money Market, Diversified, ELSS and any other financial areas. Each mutual fund has a definite purpose which will be mentioned in the prospectus. Read the prospectus before investing on mutual funds.

Commodities

                In Commodities market, one can trade in various commodities. It may be gold, silver, copper, nickel, etc. It can be traded in spot market (buying and selling immediately) or derivatives market (based on future contracts).          

Gold

                Investment in gold can be in the form of Jewellery which involves making and other charges, Exchange Traded Funds (ETF) and Gold Coin or bar. Before investing in gold, think about the purpose of your investment. Based on your purpose, it can be a Jewellery or investment in coin or ETF.

Real Estate

                Investments in Properties are the long term investment.  Banks and other financial institutions offer attractive interest rates for home loans.  Also, there are tax rebates for the first house purchased. The income tax rebate can be availed on both the principal and interests.

Insurance

                Insurance is to secure yourself and your family in your absence. There are multiple plans offered by various insurance companies. Before investment think the purpose of investment. There are Life insurance, Retirement plans, Pension Plans, Child Education plans, Medical, Endowment plans, Whole life cover, Money back plans and so many other plans which provide returns as well as life coverage with an assured sum payable to nominee in your absence.

Income Tax

                The return on any investment has its tax applicability. The tax slabs changes every year during the financial budget. The finance minister defines tax slab applicable for each of the category of investment. Also, there are savings under various sections which can be deducted from the income and the tax is applied only on the net income after all deductions.