Investing in the stock market can be a powerful way to grow your wealth over time. Despite the inherent risks involved, many people have made significant gains by strategically investing in the right companies at the right time. If you’re looking for ways to boost your savings and build a more secure financial future, now might be the perfect time to start investing in the stock market. In this article, we’ll explore 10 compelling reasons why you should consider investing in the stock market in 2023. From the potential for high returns to the ease of diversifying your portfolio, there are plenty of benefits to be gained by taking the leap and investing your money in stocks. So let’s dive in and explore why investing in the stock market could be a smart move for you in the year ahead.
1. To keep pace with inflation
Inflation is defined as a state where the prices are rising and the value of purchasing power of money is decreasing. Inflation occurs in an economy when there is an expansion in the total amount of money. Overall, Inflation is not desirable for a common person.
Let us understand inflation with an example. Suppose you have Rs 5 lakhs in your account and you want to buy a car, which also costs Rs 5 lakhs currently. However, you changed your mind, deciding to buy the car next year, and kept your money in the savings account.
The bank is giving you a decent interest of 3.5% pa. Now, let us fast forward to next year. You went to the bank and came home happily with your money that has become Rs 5.17 lakhs now. Next, you went to the car showroom. But boom! You get the shock.
The price of that car has now increased to Rs 5.5 lakhs. The car, which you could have easily bought last year, is now not affordable to you. That is inflation. The same thing happens with groceries, or all other products that you buy and their price inflates with time.
The inflation in India for the last few years has been around 4-5%. The return on the savings account (Interest rate) is around 3-4% per annum. Hence, a savings account cannot beat inflation.
Overall, if you want to beat inflation, you have to invest your money intelligently in high-return investment instruments. And the stock market is the best place for intelligent investors. If you buy stocks of good companies, you can make a decent consistent return of 12-18% per annum depending on how good the stock is and how much time you invested in choosing the stock. Therefore, investing in the stock market is a great option if you want to keep pace with rising inflation.
2. Most Capital Growth Potential
For the past couple of decades, Stocks and real estate are the two investments, which have constantly beat all other forms of investments in India.
Whether it is fixed deposits, insurances, bonds or commodities like gold, silver, petroleum, etc. the stock market has been able to outperform all these investments with the best returns on the investments. Hence, with the tremendous growth potential in the stock market, it is always advisable to invest in stocks for those who want to grow their money.
3. Investing Makes Your Money Work for You
Money is important to buy comforts and in all other aspects of life. Most people say that they do not work for money and lack of money is the root of most problems. However, investing is the solution to this problem.
If you invest your money in good companies, you just have to sit idly and do nothing. Your money will grow as the company prospers. In the meanwhile, when your money is growing by itself, you can use your time to focus on your primary job or in whatever way you want. In this way, you can make your money work for you, unlike your primary job where you have to work for money. It is for this reason that it is regarded as one of the top 10 reasons to invest in stocks.
4. Stock Investing Requires As Little Amount as buying a ‘Burger’
There is a common misconception among many people that they need a huge amount to start investing in the stock market. However, that is not true. You can start investing with as little money as required to buy a burger.
There are a number of stocks whose price is less than Rs 100. You can invest very small amount of money and start getting good returns. This option is not available in other for other forms of investments like gold or real estate. In addition, remember a little bit of things every day ads up to a big result.
5. You do not need to be a ‘Genius’ to invest in Stock Market
Peter Lynch is one of the most renowned fund managers famous for giving around 30% return for a continuous period of 13 years at Fidelity. He always inspires common people to invest in stocks and believes the stock market is for everyone. You do not need to be a mastermind or rocket scientist to invest in stock market.
Unlike starting most business or start-ups, the stock market requires only a little money, knowledge, time and interest. Anyone can get decent returns by investing in the stock market.
6. Investing in Stocks is lot easier ‘Now’
Investing and trading with the online brokerage account is a lot simpler now. Now with the help of leading online brokers, you can buy and sell stocks within seconds using your smart phone.
Moreover, with the increase in financial websites and apps; finding and selecting stocks is also simpler. You do not need to go through all the boring financial newspapers and magazines now and need not rely on newsletters to get the company’s financial reports now.
7. Tax benefits from Government on Stock Investing
There are a number of tax benefits in investing in stock market. The long-term capital gain tax is 10% for gains exceeding Rs 1 lakh. Still, this is better than the return of 6.5% from FDs, which is again taxable up to 10-30% depending on your tax slab. That’s why it is a popular quote ‘The rich pay less tax’.
8. You do not Always have to Pick Hidden Gems.
There are a number of other examples of common stocks as well that has given more than several hundred percent returns over the last few years. For example, Asian Paints, Hindustan Unilever, HDFC Bank, Symphony, Maruti Suzuki, Titan Company, etc. These companies are well-known to the common people. People can easily find such growing companies around them as they are already using their products.
In short, you are not always supposed to find a hidden gem or a very rare/unheard chemical stock. You just have to look around and find leading companies with amazing products and invest in them, Which makes this point as one among the top 10 reasons to invest in stocks.
9. To create a Alternate source of income
It has always been taught in our school- ‘Get a high paid safe and secure job’. What is not taught is what will happen if you’re fired or the company is shut down. We should always have multiple source of Income. For the common people, stocks market investment can help to create this additional source of income.
Most people are completely busy with their office their entire life. For those people, Investing in the stock market can be their second source of income. Through value appreciation and dividends, they can steadily grow additional income. That is why people need to start investing in the stock market.
10. The Power of Compounding through Long-term Investments
Stock Investing allows you to take advantage of compound interest, which grows your wealth exponentially. Most of the bank savings account gives you a simple interest. However, with investing in stock, you can get compounded returns. The famous scientist Albert Einstein once said- “Compounding is the eighth wonder of the world”.
The world’s greatest investor, Warren Buffett, is known to have a compounded return of around 22% for the last 5 decades. Moreover, this compounded return for a long time has made him one of the richest men on earth. The power of compounding is one of the major reasons why people should invest in stock market.
