Women and financials are generally thought to run in parallel lines. But many women in the city are proving this wrong. They have learned how to tame the bull and the bear with reasonable flair. We are talking about women who have begun to invest and trade in the stock market
In fact, one firm in the city has taken the cue from this trend and begun a branch that focusses on women. Sreelekha, manager of the women's branch of Capstocks at Sasthamangalam, says they already have 50 customers who have taken the trouble to learn the A to Z of volatile markets.
All about the risk
Currently it is mostly working women who spend at least an hour a day to pick up the tricks of the trade and to familiarise themselves with the ups and downs of the markets. “This is one of the best investment options that women can use to their advantage. I would especially advise housewives to take this opportunity and make the most of their free time,” says Sreelekha.
She has been in this field for more than seven years now and has seen the market ups and downs at at close quarters. She says the name of the game is risk taking. “You should avoid being too conservative. As you get into investing, you will find where your level of risk tolerance is. Stocks are best for long-term benefits and retirement investments.”
Sreelekha says women prefer cash stocks to futures because they are less risky and you can buy single shares.
However, Kelly Cherian who began her tryst with stocks a year ago is not averse to risks, in fact, she goes for futures! “I tried equity before but it was no fun. With futures, the risks are high but so are the returns.” She does, however, caution newcomers against going all out and burning their fingers.
“You can go out of control once things are going your way. It's important to maintain a fine balance between caution and risk-taking,” says Kelly.
If trading in the stock market is a livelihood for some, for others it is a good investment option. Take Indu Ramakrishnan, an IT professional working in Technopark. She got intrigued by the world of stocks after she read Jeffery Archer's book Not a Penny More Not a Penny Less . The interest was stoked after a colleague introduced her to the stock market. She joined an investment club where money matters and financial options are discussed.
She says: “Normally when women network they discuss the latest recipes, fashion statements and hair colour, but with me it's like how is Coal India or Infosys doing?”
She adds: “I feel stocks are a safe bet for long-term investments. I am not one for buying and selling swiftly but look for stocks to mature for long-term benefits.”
Looks like women are finally taking the bull by the horns.
