Skip to main content

A Stock inclusion in the index and its effects


Don't buy or dump a stock simply because it becomes a part of — or is dropped from — a known index

Companies move in and out of indices because of changes in certain parameters, such as sector, market capitalisation and free float, that the index creator follows

When MSCI, a firm which creates stock indices, announced on May 11 that Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) would be included in the MSCI Emerging Market Index, the stock of the company rose 7.64 per cent and touched its all-time high of Rs 282 in two days.

The reason: There are many global index funds which invest in stocks that are present in the MSCI indices and in same proportion. So, all index funds which track the MSCI Emerging Market Index will have to buy REC shares.

Every time a company becomes part of a prime index, investor interest increases. Cipla is another example. On March 20, the Bombay Stock Exchange announced that Cipla would replace Sun Pharmaceuticals in the Sensex from May 3. In the next three days, it gained 4.5 per cent.

In most market capitalisation based indices, entry of a stock means it has a large market cap (number of outstanding shares multiplied by the share price) and indicates, in most cases, that the company has large revenues and profits, is among the leaders in its category (large-cap, mid-cap or emerging markets) or sector (health care, real estate or banking), has large trading volumes and is widely owned.

Does it mean stocks entering an important index are a blind buy? No, say experts. The fundamentals of the company do not change just because a certain class of investors (index funds) is pouring money into the stock. Companies move in and out of indices because of changes in certain parameters, such as sector, market capitalisation and free float, that the index creator follows. The parameters do not include fundamentals or ratios for evaluating a company.

A fund manager agrees the price of such stocks rises. But, the rise is marginal and short lived. There is nothing meaningful. When a company enters an index, there can be a price increase as index funds rebalance their portfolios. Funds that replicate the index in question need to add new stocks in their portfolio in the same weight as that of the benchmark they follow. They buy the stock coming in the index and sell the stock that's going out.

However, this is not done instantly after the announcement. These funds can take a day, a week or even a month to align their portfolios with the changes. The price also goes up as speculators try to make a quick buck when index funds are purchasing the stock. For investors, it always pays to stick to fundamentals such as management credibility, business strengths and investment ratios. Just like a stock getting in the index does not necessarily mean abetter investment opportunity, a stock going out does not mean it is unattractive. In fact, value and contrarian investors feel the scrip going out of the index deserves scrutiny, as it may give better returns compared to the one entering the index.

Prices of incoming stocks rise as investors seek them more than the outgoing stocks. This may make the index stock expensive.

An analysis of stocks that moved in and out of the Sensex between 1979 and 2005. There were 42 replacements. Of these, 22 stocks that moved out of the index outperformed the stocks that replaced them.

Stocks coming in the index do bear the certificate of being of a well-governed company but an investor should not make an investment decision just based on such movements.

INDEX INSIGHTS

INDEX PICK INDICATES

More credibility, well-governed

Stock will be more liquid

Stock will be widelyowned

Price may rise, but short term

 

ON INDEX OUTING

Firm's fundamentals don't change

Can get at reasonable valuations, as passive funds increase supply by selling these

 

Popular posts from this blog

What is Electronic Clearing Service (ECS)?

  As the name suggests, it's an electronic process through which money can be transferred from one bank account to another. According to RBI, this mode is usually used for regular payments and receipts, like distribution of dividend, interest, salary, pension etc. This mode is also used for collection of bills for telephone, electricity, water, various types of taxes, payment of EMIs , investments in mutual funds , payment of insurance premium etc. There are two types of ECS , like most other banking transactions, ECS credit and ECS debit. An ECS credit is used by a bank account holder , usually a large company or an institution for services like payment of dividend, in terest, salary, pension etc. If your mutual fund pays you dividend to your bank account, of all probability it is being paid through ECS credit.ECS debit, on the other hand, is used when a company or an institution is getting money from a large number of people. For example if you are investing in a mutual fund sc...

WEALTH TAX

Download Tax Saving Mutual Fund Application Forms Invest In Tax Saving Mutual Funds Online Buy Gold Mutual Funds Leave a missed Call on 94 8300 8300 WEALTH TAX   WHAT CONSTITUTES WEALTH? For wealth tax purposes, "wealth" means property , urban land, car, jewellery , yacht, boat, aircraft and cash in hand in excess of Rs 50,000. CAUTION POINT | Do not think you will have an easy escape from wealth tax by transferring your `wealth' without consideration to your spouse or minor child. Such assets will also be considered as your wealth. HOW TO DETERMINE YOUR TAXABLE WEALTH Add the taxable value of the above assets (computed as per the detailed rules for valuation) owned by you as on March 31 (for FY 2014-15, it will be March 31, 2015). In case you sold your car during the year, it will not be taxable wealth. Deduct loans if any obtained by you to acquire any of the taxable assets from the value of gross tax out for at least 300 days in a...

Equity Savings Fund

Invest Equity Savings Fund Online   The best part about these funds is that they are subject to equity fund taxation and at the same time are structured like MIP like funds . This new category, equity savings funds , offer a little of everything. They allocate money to equities & equity related instruments, and fixed income. They aim to generate returns by diversification. Such funds invest in fixed income and arbitrage to protect the investors from short term volatility and equity for capital gains. The best part of these funds is that they are subject to equity fund taxation and at the same time are structured like MIP funds.   MIP funds however are subject to debt fund taxation. Investors Equity savings funds are suitable for the following: First time investors who seek partial exposure to equity with less volatility and greater stability Investors seeking moderate capital appreciation with relatively lower risk Those wh...

8% Government of India Bonds quick guide

For those seeking comfort in safety of returns, the Government of India issued 8% savings bond once again comes to the fore. First launched in 2003, these bonds are issued by the government with a maturity of 6 years. The bonds are available at all times with specified distributors through whom you can apply to invest in them. Here is a quick guide to what the bond offers and its features to ascertain to check for suitability. What are Government of India bonds Government of India bonds are like any other government bonds with specified rate of interest. The rate is fixed at 8% per annum paid half yearly, or you can opt for cumulative payment of interest at the end of the tenure. You can buy these bonds from State Bank of India and its associates, other nationalized banks and some private sector banks such as HDFC Bank Ltd and ICICI Bank Ltd, among others. The bonds can be bought from the offices of Stock Holding Corporation of India as well. They are available in physical form onl...

Tax on Kisan Vikas Patra Returns

  Taxation of Kisan Vikas Patra The interest earned on Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP) doesn't enjoy any tax exemption   The interest earned on Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP) doesn't enjoy any tax exemptions. The interest earned from it is taxed as per the Income Tax slab applicable to the investor on redemption. That means an investor in the highest tax slab will pay 30 per cent tax on the returns from KVP . Also, 10 per cent of the interest earned would be deducted as tax deducted at source (TDS). ----------------------------------------------- Invest Rs 1,50,000 and Save Tax under Section 80C. Get Great Returns by Investing in Best Performing ELSS Mutual Funds Top 10 Tax Saving Mutual Funds to invest in India for 2016 Best 10 ELSS Mutual Funds in india for 2016 1. BNP Paribas Long Term Equity Fund 2. Axis Tax Saver Fund 3. Franklin India TaxShield 4. ICICI Prudential Long Term Equity Fund 5. IDFC Tax Advantage (ELSS) Fund 6. Birla Sun Life Tax Relief 96 7. DSP BlackRock Tax Saver Fu...
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
Invest in Tax Saving Mutual Funds Download Any Applications
Transact Mutual Funds Online Invest Online
Buy Gold Mutual Funds Invest Now