Navigating Change: The Impact of SEBI's F&O PolicySEBI's new rules for F&O traders will take effect on November 20. The changes include increasing the contract size for index derivatives from Rs 5-10 lakh to Rs 15-20 lakh, which i believe is not a good idea. They are also reducing the number of weekly expiry options for index derivatives, which i see as a positive change. However, the decision to eliminate weekly expiry for Bank Nifty options is viewed negatively.
It's hard to understand what SEBI is trying to achieve. i think the chairman believes she is making smart decisions, but it feels quite the opposite. It seems like they want to take more money from retail investors while claiming to act in their best interest. Increasing taxes, raising contract sizes, and removing Bank Nifty weekly expiration's doesn’t seem helpful for the stock market or retail traders. Retail investors and traders play a crucial role in providing liquidity for institutional investors, generating tax revenue for the government, and maintaining market vitality. However, it appears that SEBI primarily favors large traders and investors, which may seem unfair to the retail segment.
Instead of educating retailers, there appears to be a focus on restricting their earning opportunities in the stock market. In the future, this may leave only major players able to trade in India's stock market. SEBI should realize that there are many stock markets in different countries, and if retail investors and traders face restrictions here, they will move on to Forex or US stocks, which often offer higher leverage and lower brokerage fees. Retail traders will trade regardless.
The solution should be to educate investors and give them the freedom to make their own choices. I hope that in the future, SEBI will have a knowledgeable chairman who understands these issues better.
Sebi
Adapting to SEBI's New Rules: Contd.In our previous article, we examined the recent SEBI circular and its ramifications for retail traders and investors. Now, let's dive into the upcoming changes in contract sizes and how they will reshape margin requirements for various trading strategies
Currently, the contract size for index F&O contracts sits between ₹5 lakhs and ₹10 lakhs. Starting November 20, 2024, this will escalate to between ₹15 lakhs and ₹20 lakhs. This substantial increase will inevitably raise margin requirements, compelling traders to reassess their strategies.
Currently, the contract size for index F&O contracts sits between ₹5 lakhs and ₹10 lakhs. Starting November 20, 2024, this will escalate to between ₹15 lakhs and ₹20 lakhs. This substantial increase will inevitably raise margin requirements, compelling traders to reassess their strategies.
This change will increase the index F&O lot sizes and in turn will also the margin requirements.
The current table is a reference taken from an article published by Zerodha. They have mentioned the approximate lot size increase for the various indices traded on NSE and BSE respectively. Please keep in mind that these lot sizes are not final and are assumptions as both the exchanges are about to finalize on this.
1drv.ms
Let us see how this will impact some of the options trading strategies that some or majority of the options traders deploy in their portfolio.
1drv.ms
As one can observe from the above table that naked options and strategies will attract the maximum capital going forward with this impact. Since the margin requirement has increased nearly 2.5x it is advisable for the new entrants into the market to focus more on risk defined strategies such as Bull Call, Bear Put, Bull Put and Bear Call Spread. These strategies have the lowest margins as per the table. However, those with a capital of greater than Rs 2 lakhs can opt to trade non-directional strategies such as Iron Condors and Iron Fly that are also risk defined. For large capital retail traders and investors, it may be advisable to reduce the overall position size to 1/3rd and not overexpose oneself to a larger risk.
While SEBI has yet to reveal any changes regarding stock options, it's wise to stay vigilant and prepared for upcoming adjustments.
By understanding and adapting to these new regulations, retail traders can navigate the evolving landscape with greater confidence and strategic foresight. Embrace these changes as an opportunity to refine your trading approach and enhance your resilience in the market.
Conclusion
In summary, the forthcoming changes in SEBI's regulations herald a significant shift in the landscape for retail options traders. With increased contract sizes and margin requirements, it’s imperative for traders to adopt more strategic approaches and focus on risk-defined strategies. By being proactive and adaptable, you can better position yourself for success in this evolving market environment. Embrace these changes as a chance to refine your trading techniques and enhance your overall investment strategy.
Disclaimer
Investments in the financial markets are subject to market risks. Past performance is not indicative of future results. It is crucial to consult your financial advisor before making any investment decisions to ensure that your strategy aligns with your individual risk tolerance and financial goals.
Navigating the Challenges of Stock Market TradingLife can be tough for many of us because we need to earn money, whether we enjoy our jobs or not. To make a living, we often have to sacrifice our time and energy. Finding something that truly satisfies us is a challenge in itself, and only a few people manage to achieve that. Even when some of us do find our passion, others may criticize us for not sticking to the jobs we studied for. While some discover their passion and pursue it, others may feel trapped in their career choices.
For me, I find satisfaction in trading and investing in the stock market. I enjoy having the flexibility to spend my time how I want, which is why I chose this path. I know it isn't easy to earn money in the stock market, but I believe it's possible. With a strong desire to learn and confidence in my abilities, I am committed to making it work.
Like many traders, I've faced my fair share of obstacles. I've tried various strategies, and, unfortunately, I've lost a significant amount of money along the way. Despite being cautious, the nature of trading means that losses can happen. I remember when COVID-19 hit; it sparked chaos in the market, and my portfolio crashed. At that point, some of my funds were locked, which limited my ability to buy dips. However, I persevered and found a way to recover.
The journey didn’t stop there. After the pandemic, regulations changed, cutting leverage for trades. This was a significant setback for me, especially since I primarily traded in Futures & Options (F&O). Previously, I relied on leverage to amplify my trades, allowing me to use a portion of my funds to F&O trades while saving the rest for buy stocks .
However, when the leverage was cut, I found myself in a difficult spot. Now, I have to use my entire capital for F&O trading, which limits my ability to invest in other opportunities. Additionally, They have increased the margin requirements for F&O trades, meaning I need to put in even more money to take positions. Despite these setbacks, I'm trying to manage my situation and adapt to the new trading environment. I remain hopeful that with patience and a solid strategy, I can find my way back to successful trading.
After everything was set and going well another problem emerged: the market became extremely unpredictable due to global events, like the Russia-Ukraine war. I found that everything I’d learned seemed ineffective as I faced daily gaps in stock prices. I made losses instead of profits for some time, but I knew this volatility wasn't permanent. I decided to take a break from futures and options trading to focus on swing trading and creating and back-testing some strategies.
To be frank,It took me more than three years to become profitable in the stock market. While I eventually became profitable, the journey remained challenging for many retailers. Taxes on trading profits and loss can be daunting, and the government frequently raises these taxes, further complicating the situation for traders. Recent changes implemented by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), such as shifting from weekly expires to daily expires and now back to weekly expires, along with the changes in lot sizes and increased margin requirements, have made it more difficult for retail traders to navigate the market.
The current regulatory environment seems to disadvantage retail investors who have invested years in learning about the stock market, developing patience, and gaining experience through both struggles and mistakes. Despite these efforts, it feels as though recent changes implemented by SEBI are making it more challenging for many retail traders, both struggling and profitable. It appears that these regulations may be favoring institutional investors who have more financial resources to navigate the market, leaving smaller investors and traders at a disadvantage.
Despite these challenges, I want to stay hopeful for the future. I wish all traders the best in their journeys, hoping they find profitability and consistency in their trading. The path is not easy, but with perseverance, it's still possible to thrive in the stock market.
"Anyone can choose anything, but only a few have the perseverance to stay the course on the path they’ve chosen."
Sebi's F&O Regulation May Hit 30% of Zerodha's OrdersMarkets regulator Sebi's decision to impose stricter regulations in the F&O segment could affect up to 60% of overall F&O trades and approximately 30% of Zerodha's total orders, according to CEO Nithin Kamath. He noted that if traders don't shift from weekly to monthly trades, the impact could be significant. Zerodha has not yet altered its pricing structure and will evaluate the need to increase brokerages once the new regulations take effect on November 20.
Share your views on the comments.
Adapting to SEBI's New Rules: A Guide for Retail Options TradersIntroduction
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has recently announced new regulations aimed at strengthening the equity index derivatives framework. These changes, set to be implemented in stages from November 2024 to April 2025, will significantly impact retail options traders. This article explores the new rules, their implications, and how traders can adapt their strategies to thrive in this evolving landscape.
www.sebi.gov.in
New SEBI Rules and Their Impact:
Navigating the world of options trading in India just got a little more interesting with the introduction of new regulations by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). For retail traders who are trying to figure out how to adapt to these new rules, understanding the key details is a good first step. Let’s dive into the specifics of these regulations and their effects on trading practices.
1. Upfront Collection of Option Premium:
Starting February 1, 2025, traders will be required to pay the full options premium upfront. This measure aims to reduce excessive leverage and discourage positions beyond available collateral.
Impact: This will limit the number of contracts traders can buy, potentially reducing overall market participation but also encouraging more responsible trading practices.
2. Removal of Calendar Spread Treatment on Expiry Day:
From February 1, 2025, the benefit of offsetting positions across different expiries (calendar spread) will not be available on the expiry day for contracts expiring that day.
Impact: This could lead to increased margin requirements on expiry days, affecting traders who rely on calendar spread strategies.
3. Intraday Monitoring of Position Limits:
Beginning April 1, 2025, exchanges will monitor position limits intraday, with a minimum of 4 random snapshots daily.
Impact: Traders will need to be more vigilant about their position sizes throughout the trading day to avoid penalties.
4. Increased Contract Size:
After November 20, 2024, new index derivatives contracts will have a minimum value of Rs. 15 lakhs, up from the current Rs. 5-10 lakhs range.
Impact: This change may price out some smaller retail traders from the market, but it also encourages more serious participation and potentially reduces market volatility.
5. Rationalization of Weekly Index Derivatives:
From November 20, 2024, each exchange will offer weekly expiry contracts for only one benchmark index.
Impact: This could concentrate liquidity in fewer products, potentially leading to better price discovery but also limiting trading options.
The exchanges Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and National Stock Exchange(NSE) will have to select 1 index from the existing for weekly expiry and the rest will be monthly expiry. For example, there is a possibility that NSE may opt to go for Bank Nifty for weekly expiry and Nifty, Fin Nifty and Midcap Nifty for monthly expiry whereas BSE may opt to go for Bankex for weekly expiry and Sensex for monthly expiry.
6. Increased Tail Risk Coverage:
Starting November 20, 2024, an additional 2% Extreme Loss Margin (ELM) will be levied on short options contracts on expiry day.
Impact: This will increase the cost of writing options on expiry days, potentially reducing speculative activity.
Overview of the New Regulations
SEBI’s new rules are designed to ensure a more transparent and fair-trading environment. They cover a range of changes in how options trading is conducted, all aiming to protect traders and enhance market integrity.
- Increased Transparency: SEBI is pushing for more transparent trading activities. This means traders will have access to more information and insights about market movements which can help in making informed decisions.
- Higher Compliance Standards: With a stronger emphasis on compliance, SEBI is keen on maintaining robust regulatory practices. This is to prevent issues like fraud or market manipulation from affecting retail traders.
- Leverage Control: New rules have introduced strict controls on leverage, which impacts the amount of capital a trader can use relative to the actual cash they have. While this might seem restrictive, it’s intended to lower risk and safeguard trader investments.
Key Changes Affecting Retail Options Traders
Retail options traders have specific adjustments to make under these new rules. Here are some of the key changes directly impacting you:
1. Portfolio Diversification:
With increased costs and limitations in options trading, diversifying across different asset classes and strategies becomes crucial. Consider including a mix of stocks, ETFs, and other derivatives in your portfolio to spread risk.
2. Shift to Swing/Positional Trading Style:
The new rules may make intraday trading less attractive due to increased monitoring and costs. Traders should consider shifting focus to swing or positional trading strategies that align with longer-term market trends.
3. Focus on Risk-Defined Strategies:
With higher margin requirements and upfront premium payments, traders should prioritize risk-defined strategies like spreads (bull call spreads, iron condors) over naked options positions. These strategies offer better risk management and capital efficiency.
4. Continuous Education:
Stay updated with market developments and enhance your trading skills through trading reputable education providers. Focus on advanced options strategies, risk management techniques, strategy optimization and market analysis to adapt to the changing landscape.
Best Practices:
1. Proper Position Sizing: With stricter position limits, ensure your trades are appropriately sized relative to your account.
2. Regular Portfolio Review: Frequently assess your positions to ensure compliance with new regulations and to optimize your strategy.
3. Use of Technology: Leverage trading platforms and tools that can help monitor positions and calculate margins in real-time.
4. Risk Management: Implement strict stop-loss orders and consider using options to hedge your portfolio.
Conclusion:
The new SEBI regulations present both challenges and opportunities for retail options traders. While they may initially seem restrictive, these rules aim to create a more stable and fair market environment. By adapting strategies, focusing on education, and implementing best practices, traders can navigate these changes successfully. The key lies in embracing a more disciplined, risk-aware approach to trading, which ultimately contributes to long-term success in the markets. As the derivatives landscape evolves, those who adapt quickly and intelligently will be best positioned to capitalize on new opportunities while managing risks effectively.
Disclaimer
Investment in securities market is subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.
27th Sep 2024 - Nifty went up 356pts ~ 1.38%, dream run continueNifty Stance Bullish ️⬆️
The dream run continues, Nifty goes up 356pts ~ 1.38% this week. Seems like there is nothing that can stop this bull run. I guess, the bull market will only end until the last of the bears turn bullish.
Even though we closed slightly red on Friday, the call options premiums were pricing further upside, and the put options decayed so badly that ensured the short sellers got nothing. The current dream run started on 16th Aug and we are up 1934pts ~ 7.98%. Nifty has been a huge wealth creator for investors.
30th Sep 2024 will be the most critical day in the history of futures and options. After its meeting, SEBI will decide what the revised margins for options trading will be. Meanwhile, the revised STT and charges go live on October 1st.
Our stance remains bullish until 25979 is broken, below which we will go neutral.
Hindenburg Research ProblemA blog recently accused the Indian market regulator, SEBI, of not acting on a report about Adani's finances because SEBI's chairperson and her husband had investments in funds linked to Adani. We already know that Indian politicians often support big business leaders like Adani. But SEBI being involved in this is a new issue.
The question is, is Hindenburg Research doing good for India by revealing this information? Hindenburg is known for finding and exposing financial frauds to make a profit from the stock market. They usually release the news on weekends when the market is closed, so they can earn more money. This is because they need good liquidity to make a profit.
In reality, everyone is just looking out for their own interests. The ones who get hurt the most are the retail investors who buy and sell stocks.
"I hope that one day retail investors will come together and support each other."
"SEBI's Proposal: A Threat to Small Retail Traders"
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has proposed new rules to reduce the high volume of derivatives trading. One of these measures is to increase the minimum trading amount, known as the lot size, to ₹20-30 lakh. This is a concern for small retail traders who make profits, as it will make it difficult for them to trade.
However, the same SEBI allowed daily expiries for Nifty options, which has further led to an increase in trading volume. Now, they are proposing to switch back to weekly expiries, which is a good move actually. However, if the lot size is increased, only big players will be able to trade and earn profits, while small retail traders will either have to stop trading or borrow money to trade. But what if most of these traders borrow money and end up making losses again? In that case, this change is not a solution
The government claims that these new rules are beneficial for retail traders because many of them are experiencing significant losses. However, I believe this is nonsense. The government previously praised retail traders for participating in the market and even the National Stock Exchange (NSE) considered extending trading hours before. But everyone knows that many retail traders incur losses due to a lack of knowledge about the market and greed.
There are numerous social media fake influencers who deceive people by showcasing fabricated profits and promising easy money. These influencers attract individuals who are desperate for an additional source of income due to their low salaries, grueling work hours, or unemployment. These people yearn to earn money quickly without investing excessive time.
So Banning influencers who provide false P&L statements : Regulators can take action against influencers who mislead the public by presenting fake trading records, making it difficult for them to continue operating.
Implementing a "cooling period" for traders : If a trader consistently incurs losses for six months, their trading account can be temporarily blocked or restricted, giving them time to reassess their investment strategy.
Reintroducing traditional expiry methods : reverting back to the old expiration method (instead of daily expiration), the market may become more stable and less prone to excessive trading volumes.
By implementing these measures, the government and regulatory bodies can reduce trading volumes in derivatives and protect investors from fraudulent activities.
" Finally I respectfully ask SEBI to reconsider their proposal. There are many retail traders who have a good income, but they don't have a lot of money to start with. It's like starting a small business - you usually start with a little money and then gradually add more as the business grows. It would be unfair to require retail traders to start trading with a large amount of money.
NSE TRADING HOUR EXTEND IS A BAD DECISIONI came to know that NSE is extending the trading hours in India.
For equity till 5pm and F&O till 11.30pm.
I feel this is not a good move for the retail traders especially the positional traders like me because we have to watch the position till 11.30 pm. It create mental stress because no outing, no personal time etc we always have to watch the P&L to check the market condition. NSE says the logic behind seeking extended market hours is to have an overlap with the European markets which the exchanges hope would mean increased volume.But it definitely will not increase the volume in market because many retail people will quit their trading job either because of stress due to long trading hours or by blowing their account by over trading. We all know that the success rate for day traders is estimated to be around only 10% .It will increase if trading hours increased . So in long term this idea will not help to increase the volume in market instead it do the opposite. and the real factors had nothing to do with the trading hours. For example, t he SGX Nifty trading took off in a big way because traders did not have to pay STT while trading in the SGX as opposed to the Indian markets .Still There are so many negative points than the positive.
Point 1: If F&O market traded til 11.30 pm after equity market closed there will be a gap up or gap down will happen in equity market next day
2: The high volume takes place in the first and last hour of trading because retail traders getting executed in the first hour along with news based trades. The last hour goes in squaring off their positions. Most of the mid-session is generally dull and any movement is largely news-driven. Extending the market hours will result in extending only the dull session of the market.
3:Longer trading hours will mean greater pressure on brokers thus lead to increase in brokerage charges even taxes.
4: Longer trading hours in the Indian stock markets can potentially decrease the over night risk is the only positive reason pointed by many experts . we all know that we can hedge our position during market hours if there is some global events going to happen.even if traders feel about the over night risk they can always hedge their position in us market or any global market.Let the retail traders to take hedge in global market is the best solution i think.
Better SEBI create a platform to vote for new ideas from market participant before execute it in the market.
The IRCTC Incident - Who would pay for the MTM Shortfall?The IRCTC Incident - Who would pay for the MTM Shortfall?
Yesterday I was one of those who could use the 30% free fall in the share prices of IRCTC and added a few shares that are now available at an affordable price per share thanks to the share split done by the company. The split was done with the good intention of enabling more participation from the retail traders/investors and that is what happened as I could buy those shares at 700. The media is now full of articles trying to explain why was there a fall and why the convenience fee is important, etc.
However, no one is asking the question - who would fund the intraday Marked To Market losses that SEBI now mandates FNO traders to top up?
A few months ago it was Tata Motors whose share prices tanked big time when they announced semi-conductor shortage-related constraints, and then recently it was the turn of TCS, whose share prices were hammered post results and now IRCTC just because of a circular!!
I am wondering if the watchdog of the capital markets is indeed watching this? And if so, what it proposes to do to protect the interests of the genuine #traders and #Investors?
Consider this --
The IRCTC Nov 21 Future contract close price on 28-10 was 911
Lot size = 1625
IRCTC Futures low for 29-10 = 651
Difference = 260
Max MTM Loss = 422,500 per lot
EOD price = 846
Difference = 65
Max MTM Loss = 105,625 per lot
Who is going to fund this shortfall? Should the traders/investors be penalized for such unexpected shortfalls?
Who will answer these questions is my question to SEBI? I hope industry leaders like Nithin Kamath, Motilal Oswal, and the like would help retail traders/investors get some answers.
I was lucky not have been a part of FNO trade in the scrip as so far I am not familiar with its intraday price action. However, I am keen to know if any of the readers of this post were caught on the wrong foot or on the right foot?
Your views/experiences would help spread awareness and awaken the regulators to work for the benefit of the retail traders/investors.
Thank you!
Umesh
30-10-21
Pre-Expiry week's Volatiliy in Indian MarketDue to the physical settlement of stock derivatives(Futures and options) upon expiry, the margin required to trade/carry over such derivatives starts increasing gradually from Friday of the week preceding the expiry week. Forcing traders to close their positions in the pre-expiry week causes the pre-expiry week's volatility. In most cases, it results in a correction of the larger trend in the market. After SEBI has changed the margin rules for intra-day trading, many traders have moved to options thereby raising options share of net trading volume in monetary terms to almost 80%, thereby making the impact of pre expiry week very signifacant.
Like most things in market analysis, it isn't a rule but a general guideline that helps you better manage your risk better.
Future Retail - Bullish Investment OpportunityThe SEBI has approved Reliance Retail’s acquisition of Future Group’s retail assets on Wednesday. ( 20th jan 2021 )
This led to two days upper circuit in the Share Price. As the approval for the Future Retail led to positivity in the market and possible Target 150 within the month of Feb.
Hold for long term to get target as 350, asthe vaccines as been out and the stores are opening this will lead to strategic increase in share price.