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Capital Market – Functions & Participants

Introduction

The Capital Market is the market for long-term finance. It is the heart of a capitalist economy.


1. Functions of Capital Market

  1. Resource Mobilization: Channels long-term savings into industrial investment.
  2. Liquidity: Provides a platform (Stock Exchange) to sell investments easily.
  3. Price Discovery: Determines the value of companies based on performance.
  4. Operational Efficiency: Reduces transaction costs and settlement time.

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2. Participants / Intermediaries

A. Stock Exchanges

  • Platform where trading happens (BSE, NSE).
  • They monitor trading and ensure compliance.

B. Depositories (NSDL & CDSL)

  • Hold securities in electronic (Demat) form.
  • Facilitate paperless trading.

C. Depository Participants (DPs)

  • Agents of Depositories (e.g., Zerodha, HDFC Bank).
  • Investors open Demat accounts with DPs.

D. Stock Brokers

  • Registered members of Stock Exchange.
  • Investors must route orders through brokers.

E. Institutional Investors

  1. FIIs (Foreign Institutional Investors): Foreign funds investing in India.
  2. DIIs (Domestic Institutional Investors): Indian Mutual Funds, Insurance Cos (LIC).

Summary

  • Role: Long-term funds.
  • Exchange: Platform (NSE/BSE).
  • Depository: Holds shares (NSDL/CDSL).
  • Broker: Executes trade.

Quiz Time! 🎯

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