Indian Stock Market Statistics: Everything You Need to Know

Indian stock market statistics refer to numerical data and figures reflecting the performance, trends, and activities of companies listed on Indian stock exchanges. Indian stock market statistics offer insight into economic health, investor sentiment analysis, and the overall state of the market. Important indicators include market capitalization, trading volume, indexes, financial ratios etc.

India boasts one of the fastest-growing economies worldwide, and its stock market reflects this dynamism. Millions of investors and traders participate actively in its development; we will discuss its statistics here as well as activities conducted within it, including recent significant increases in stock investors and traders.

India currently hosts two main stock exchanges where stocks are listed, bought, and sold ; The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and The National Stock Exchange (NSE). BSE was Established in 1875 and it is Asia’s oldest stock exchange with over 5,000 listed companies and an estimated market capitalization of USD 2.5 trillion., India’s National Stock Exchange is India’s top exchange in terms of total market capitalization and trading volume, featuring more than 1,600 companies with combined market caps of USD 2.7 trillion.

Two key indices, the BSE Sensex and NSE Nifty 50, measure the performance of India’s largest and most actively traded companies, providing investors with an accurate picture of the market’s overall performance. Trading volume is another vital metric that measures the total number of shares exchanged during a specific timeframe. Higher trading volumes indicate strong investor enthusiasm and liquidity within a market – both are favorable indicators for investors. Market capitalization (MC) measures the total value of all outstanding shares of a company’s stock.

It provides investors with an accurate representation of both the size and market value of an organization, helping them evaluate performance as well as potential investment opportunities. Investors use financial ratios when assessing company performance, including price-to-earnings (P/E), dividend yield, and return on equity (ROE). These ratios give valuable insights into a company’s financial health as well as the potential for growth and profitability.

What is Stock Market?

The stock market is a marketplace where shares of publicly-listed companies are bought and sold, enabling companies to raise capital from investors for business operations and expansion. Stock markets are used by investors by purchasing shares of companies they anticipate experiencing strong growth with the potential for long-term gains. They also provide a place for companies to raise capital for their growth, helping the economy grow.   

Stock market investing has seen an explosion of popularity since 2010, partially driven by start-up companies raising equity financing through initial public offerings (IPOs). This allows ordinary investors to access innovative new companies like Uber, Lyft and Pinterest – some high-profile tech giants have recently gone public. Online trading has made it much simpler for individuals to buy and sell stocks on their own without brokerage services, providing retail investors with greater access to investment opportunities. This is different from an era where stock market trading required a lot of expertise and only a few sections of the society are able to afford the same.

The stock market has historically yielded strong long-term returns, despite some fluctuations. The S&P 500 has historically averaged returns of about 7% annually after inflation over its lifetime – something which attracts investors seeking ways to grow their money over the long haul. Many have turned to investing in stocks as an avenue of doing so. Passive investing has seen an upswing, as index funds and ETFs offer investors access to broad market exposure without needing to delve deep into individual stocks for analysis. This approach appeals to many investors looking for less hands-on investing experiences. This is because passive investing helps investors take advantage of the growth of the overall stock market with a lesser expense ratio and associated fees.     

People want their investments to reflect their values and priorities. Investors who care about the social impact of new technologies, for instance, invest directly in companies working in those fields. This has given rise to socially responsible investing options and other tailored investments tailored towards individual preferences. A bull market has attracted numerous new investors eager to participate in its gains. Though past performance does not guarantee future returns, strong past performance often fuels enthusiasm about investing. Therefore, many people are investing in hopes of reaping its strong performance and seeing dividends themselves.

What is a Stock Market Statistics?

Stock market statistics encompass the extensive amounts of data generated by stock exchange transactions. Key stats for reference include. The primary data here is the volume of shares traded. Billions of shares are traded on the stock market each day. This represents investors buying and selling stocks. Over 1 billion shares are exchanged daily, just on the New York Stock Exchange alone. Market capitalization is another such metric. This term refers to the total value of all stocks traded on an exchange. In the U.S. alone, this figure stands at over $30 trillion, reflecting its immense size. Five more such key figures are listed below.

Indices Levels

Indices such as the Nifty 50 provide an overall picture of stock market performance; even small changes can signal major shifts due to their sheer scale.

52-Week Highs/Lows

These statistics demonstrate how a stock price has changed within one year, providing insight into its volatility and performance.

Earnings Reports

Quarterly earnings reports provide an important source of data regarding the operating performance and financial results of public companies. Stock prices typically respond strongly to earnings announcements, creating significant market activity. These reports produce lots of market activity statistics.

Price ratios

Investors use valuation ratios like the price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio to assess whether or not a stock is under or overvalued relative to its earnings or assets, with variations reflecting investor sentiment and their willingness to purchase shares.

Short Interest

Short interest is the total value of shares sold by investors betting on price declines and often serves as an indicator of pessimism surrounding a particular stock. When levels of short interest reach an unusually high number it indicates more pessimistic sentiment toward it.

Stock market statistics provide investors with a quantitative window into the activity generated by millions of buyers and sellers in the market, and its huge fluctuations. Investors use these statistics to track trends, make buy and sell decisions, and develop trading strategies; their sheer volume prove overwhelming since statistics only reflect what has already taken place, not what might happen in the future. Hence some perspective must be applied when interpreting stock market stats.

What counts in Stock Market Statistics?

Stocks themselves are at the core of stock market statistics. Their prices, their rate of change over time, the total market capitalization (across industries or market caps), trading volume (number of stocks trading each day), type of stocks traded and types traded (by industry, market capitalization or growth/value ratio etc) all provide crucial measurements of overall health and direction in an increasingly globalized world. The behaviour and prices of individual stocks as well as aggregate indexes provide insights into market health and direction.

Trading volume, or the total buying and selling activity in a market, is another crucial metric. A higher trading volume signals greater market activity and interest while higher volatility or price fluctuations could indicate that investors and traders lack conviction in its direction. A lower trading volume indicates a lack of commitment by investors and traders who view its prospects less positively.

Trading activity encompasses variables such as the number of trades executed, pace of trading, spread between bid and ask prices and other indicators of market participation. More activity with narrower spreads often indicates greater liquidity and efficiency in a market while less activity and wider spreads indicate lower liquidity and efficiency in it.

New investors and money entering the stock market provides valuable information about optimism and stock demand. But declining numbers indicate doubt, lack of faith or transitioning away from shares altogether. Inflow or outflow of investor money drives stock prices and overall market trends.

What is the History of Indian Stock Market Statistics?

Indian stock market history spans more than 100 years. Indian stock markets were formally established in 1875 with the creation of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). Trading began initially under a banyan tree on Dalal Street in Mumbai with less than 50 brokers joining BSE at first. India’s stock market has experienced extraordinary expansion after that. Securities trading was heavily regulated following independence in 1947; but after economic liberalization occurred during the 1990s, its operations opened significantly. This led to an explosion of initial public offerings (IPOs) and new brokers. The BSE benchmark index also launched during this time.

The early 2000s saw India adopt advanced electronic trading systems, improving transparency and efficiency. Two major stock exchanges, BSE and NSE, became publicly listed companies that allowed trading of their own stock. India also began developing its derivatives market with index futures being traded along with stock futures, options, and other derivatives products by the late 1990s.

India’s stock market has become one of the largest in Asia today. BSE, listed with over 5,000 companies, ranks 10th globally and NSE is the world’s largest derivatives exchange by volume. Foreign investors have invested billions of dollars into Indian stocks; stringent market regulations and reforms have only served to strengthen it and gain investors’ trust while maturing significantly over time. India’s stock market has emerged as an impressive global player though far from fully developed. Driven by population, economic expansion, structural reforms, and capital market potential in the coming decades; India has come a long way from trading under a banyan tree to becoming a digital technology-driven market integrated with global financial systems.

What are the Trading Activities in India Stock Market in the past years?

Indian stock market has experienced remarkable expansion over the last several years due to an array of trading activities. Long-term or position trading is one of the most prevalent forms of trading. Investors buy stocks for an extended period based on fundamental analysis and growth projections of each company they invest in, holding on for months or even years with hopes of reaping substantial returns over time. Many retail investors and mutual funds follow such strategies. Short-term trading has also become very popular. Investors use short-term strategies such as short-term stock trading to capitalize on short-term price fluctuations and market momentum, taking advantage of short-term price fluctuations or momentum shifts within hours or days to make trades.

Day trading is an extreme form of short-term investing where investors buy and sell stocks throughout a single trading day; day traders and algo traders often utilize these types of strategies. Scalping is another short-term trading technique in which investors quickly place multiple buy/sell orders within seconds or minutes to take advantage of small price movements in highly liquid stocks, with each trade yielding small profits that add up over time to substantial returns. Scalping requires plenty of patience, skill and decision-making abilities. There has also been an upsurge in option trading. Call-and-put options enable investors to gain exposure to stocks with lower capital outlays; though options trading is riskier, it can produce greater returns if the direction and magnitude of stock price movements can be accurately anticipated.

What are the Fast Gainer Stock in India Stock Market?

Below is a list of the fastest gainer stocks in the Indian stock market for the last 20 years. 

What are the top gainer stocks in the past 20 years in India Stock Market?

Below is a table of top gainer stocks in the past 20 years in the Indian stock market.

What are the most active stocks in the past 20 years in india stock market?

Activeness of a stock is gauged by the trading volume. Below is the list of most active stocks in Indian stock market for the past 20 years.

What are the currencies used in the past years in Trading India Stock Market?

Indian stock market has traded predominantly using Indian Rupee (INR). India’s Rupee was mostly non-convertible and domestic investors could only purchase and sell stocks using INR before 1990. Foreign investors and NRIs had limited access to its stock market due to this. India’s currency became partially convertible and opened up to foreign institutional investors and NRIs through designated routes such as Portfolio Investment Scheme (PIS) and Foreign Institutional Investor (FII) limits after liberalization. India’s rupee became fully convertible by the 2000s, opening up its stock market further to foreign investors through Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI). New products like American Depository Receipts (ADRs) and Global Depository Receipts (GDRs) allowed foreigners to invest in Indian stocks using dollars as well as other currencies.

But the Rupee remains the dominant trading currency on Indian stock exchanges like BSE and NSE, where most stocks trade. Only some larger companies have issued ADRs and GDRs to facilitate trading in foreign currencies. Recent years have witnessed increasing interest in internationalizing the Indian Rupee and permitting select stocks to trade in other currencies; however, most market participants prefer INR due to its familiarity and limited foreign exchange risks.

What are the platforms used in Trading stocks in India Stock Market?

Zerodha Kite, Trade Station, Angel Broking Speed Pro, Stock and ICICI direct All-in-1 App are the top platforms used for trading in India. Below are more details about them in detail. 

1. Zerodha Kite

Zerodha Kite is an online trading platform tailored to Indian stock market traders provided by broker Zerodha. It features advanced charting, multiple market watch lists, and easy order management with its user-friendly interface, low brokerage fees and educational resources available – but occasionally experiences platform downtime due to limited customer support services and limited customer service availability.

2. Trade Station

Trade station from TradeStation Securities is an intuitive and versatile trading platform offering advanced charting, backtesting, automation capabilities and market scanners. It has competitive pricing structures and free platform access for registered traders. Trade Station is ideal for experienced and active traders due to its customizable tools and exceptional customer support; however, it requires technical knowledge as well as having a steep learning curve.

3. Angel Broking Speed Pro

Angel Broking’s desktop-based trading platform, Angel Broking Speed Pro offers advanced charting, multiple market watch lists and a customizable interface, as well as free account opening and competitive brokerage fees for active traders. This trading platform boasts excellent customer support as well as offline support services. But, it requires software installation and experience intermittent downtime due to being desktop based.

4. m.Stock

Motilal Oswal Financial Services offers the mobile trading app “m.Stock,” offering an easy and user-friendly platform for trading stocks, commodities and currencies in India’s market. It has advanced charting capability as well as low brokerage fees and free account opening. m.Stock makes trading accessible on-the-go with access to research reports as well as fast customer support. But its features differ slightly compared to desktop platforms while it experience occasional app downtimes.

5. ICICI Direct All-in-1 App

This is a mobile trading app offered by ICICI Securities that provides an easy trading experience across stocks, derivatives, IPOs and mutual funds. The app has user-friendly navigation and one-click order placement as well as 3-in-1 account integration and competitive brokerage fees. ICICI direct All-in-1 App is suitable for traders looking for an all-encompassing trading experience across a range of investment opportunities – however, its higher brokerage fees compared to discount brokers may result in occasional app downtimes.

Different trading platforms fit different investors. It is hence imperative to do you research and choose a platform that works the best for your goals.

Is Sensex a Trading Platform in India Stock Market?

No, Sensex isn’t an Indian stock exchange platform but an index that tracks the stock prices of major companies listed on Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). The BSE Sensex index, introduced in 1986, is India’s flagship and most-popular stock market index. Comprising 30 of the biggest and most actively traded stocks at the BSE, including major firms like Reliance, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, ITC etc, its constituents make up India’s first and most famous index. The Sensex index is calculated using a free-float market capitalization method. As stock prices of constituent companies change, so too does its index reflect this movement and overall market sentiment; serving as an accurate barometer of India’s economy and stock market.

The Sensex does not serve as a trading platform itself. Real stock trading and settlement processes take place on the BSE platform as well as linked platforms like Star MF. Investors cannot directly buy or sell the Sensex; rather they gain exposure indirectly by purchasing its constituent stocks or index mutual funds/ETFs. The Sensex serves merely as an indicator, offering a quick snapshot of how prominent BSE-listed stocks and the market are performing daily. 

What is Sensex?

The Sensitive Index, commonly referred to as Sensex in India, is the oldest and most popular stock market index. The Sensex tracks the 30 largest actively traded stocks on BSE that change price over time – providing one value that illustrates overall price changes within the market. The Sensex was first compiled in 1986 as an indicator of market sentiment in India. It is calculated using the free-float market capitalization method, and its base year is 1978-79 with 100 being its base value. The composition of Sensex was reviewed periodically so as to include active companies. Its index increases indicate rising share prices among major BSE listed firms and strong economic performance while any decrease could indicate that share prices have decreased and markets not performing as effectively.

Investors closely track the ups and downs of India’s Sensex to gauge overall market sentiment as well as see how individual sectors and companies are faring. It serves as a benchmark to measure mutual funds’ and stocks’ performances in India as well as provides an indicator for foreign investors looking to invest in its stock market. Its movements reveal much about India’s corporate sector health as well as consumer confidence within its economy. Any major falls tend to dampen market sentiment and consumer trust while strong rallies often boost optimism among both economic optimism as well as investor confidence among its participants.

India’s Sensex index has experienced numerous ups and downs reflecting major events in its economy. It suffered major falls due to major events such as the Harshad Mehta scam in 1992, the dot-com bust in 2000, the global financial crisis of 2008, the Indian currency crisis in 2013, strong economic growth during periods of optimism as well as periods of market depression or currency crises in 2013. Investors have over time experienced strong returns at the same time.. It has rallied strongly from its base in the late 1970s up to over 40,000 points currently representing India’s economy and markets since then – truly making Sensex an indispensable barometer of India’s stock markets and economy 

What is the volume of stock investors in India Stock Market?

There were over 20 million registered investors on the Indian stock market In March 2023, according to data from NSE and BSE. This figure has steadily been increasing as more Indians gain interest in investing. Factors contributing to the growth of India’s stock market include its rising middle class. More Indians with disposable income have found safe ways to invest their savings – and many consider stock markets safe investments with promising returns. One another factor contributing to the growth of India’s stock market has been the increased accessibility of information. It has been difficult in the past for regular Indians to gain access to such details, with the internet now making learning about and making informed investment decisions much simpler for all involved parties. Indian stock market growth is an encouraging development for its economy. Businesses use it as a source of capital for investments that create jobs while diversifying its economy away from agriculture-reliant practices.

Is Stock Trading popular in india?

Yes, stock trading is becoming increasingly popular in India. The number of stock investors in India has grown steadily in recent years, and it is now estimated that there are over 20 million registered investors in the Indian stock market.

Is Indian Stock Market the biggest in the world?

No, the Indian stock market is not the biggest in the world. New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is currently the biggest stock market in the world.

Is India Stock Market worth investing in?

Yes, the Indian stock market is worth investing in. The Indian economy has strong long-term growth potential. India is a developing economy with a large population base. It has a fast-growing middle class and improving standards of living. This bodes well for the growth of Indian companies and in turn, the stock market. India’s GDP grew at around 7% per year on average in the last decade. The government aims to make India a $5 trillion economy by 2025. If the economy continues its strong growth trajectory, the stock market is likely to benefit in the coming years.

The Indian stock market offers a chance to participate in some of the best growth stories. The Indian market is home to some of the fastest-growing companies in the world in sectors like technology, e-commerce, finance, etc. The rapid rise of software companies like Infosys and TCS since the 1990s led to huge wealth creation for investors. Recent years have seen the emergence of startups like Flipkart, Paytm, etc. Investing in the Indian stock market provides an opportunity to benefit from the growth of these companies over the long run.  

Reforms carried out by the government are making the Indian market more attractive. The government has initiated several reforms to boost the economy and open up more sectors for investment. Reforms like the bankruptcy code, GST, opening up FDI in retail and defense, etc. have helped improve the ease of doing business in India. The government’s push for initiatives like Digital India, Skill India, and Make in India are helping transform different sectors. These reforms and initiatives are positive for companies and the stock market.

Valuations of Indian stocks are reasonable compared to global peers. Despite a sharp rally since March 2020 during the covid 19 period, Indian stock valuations are still lower than most other global emerging and developed markets. The Nifty trades at a forward P/E of around 22 which is lower than the S&P 500’s forward P/E of over 26. This indicates that there is still room for stocks to rise further based on fundamentals. The risk-reward remains favorable for long-term investors. 

However, there are some risks to consider as well. The Indian economy faces issues like fiscal deficit, unemployment, poverty, income inequality, etc. The banking system has high NPAs which remain a concern. Changes in government policies and regulations also inject uncertainty at times. But for investors with a long investment horizon of 10-20 years or more, the rewards of investing in the India growth story far outweigh the risks.

Arjun Remesh

Head of Content

Arjun is a seasoned stock market content expert with over 7 years of experience in stock market, technical & fundamental analysis. Since 2020, he has been a key contributor to Strike platform. Arjun is an active stock market investor with his in-depth stock market analysis knowledge. Arjun is also an certified stock market researcher from Indiacharts, mentored by Rohit Srivastava.

Shivam Gaba

Reviewer of Content

Shivam is a stock market content expert with CFTe certification. He is been trading from last 8 years in indian stock market. He has a vast knowledge in technical analysis, financial market education, product management, risk assessment, derivatives trading & market Research. He won Zerodha 60-Day Challenge thrice in a row. He is being mentored by Rohit Srivastava, Indiacharts.