Last Updated on May 24, 2022 by Anjali Chourasiya

If you’re an investor, one of your greatest joys would be seeing stock prices rise. Depending on your return expectations and risk appetite, you can make decent profits during a healthy market uptrend. However, stock market trends are not always upward facing. New investors find it baffling that stock prices change every second and have a hard time aligning their portfolios. 

Understanding what moves and dictates the price of stocks is basic investment knowledge. It helps investors develop portfolios, invest wisely, and make profits in the long run.

This article will explore what causes stock prices to fluctuate and how to tap these swings to your benefit.


What causes stock prices to fluctuate?

NSE Nifty and BSE Sensex are two common indicators in the context of the stock market index. So let’s look at some factors which drive the stock market index up or down:

Demand and supply

The price of a particular stock goes up if its demand increases for some reason. Likewise, stocks with low demand attract fewer investors, causing a price drop. For example, stock prices of air conditioners companies shot up last year with the government banning the import of the same with refrigerants from China. This was done to promote domestic manufacturing in the country.

Company earnings

A company making substantial profits with revenues exceeding quarterly projects will attract more investors. The price of stocks of such a company will usually spike. But if a company does not meet its projections, its stock prices will most likely drop.

Company news

Company-related positive or negative news affects its stock price. For example, a stock price rise can result from acquiring another company, diversifying into a new market, or an interest hike. Likewise, scams, lay-offs, shut-downs, etc., cause investors to sell stocks, driving down prices. For example, Bharti Airtel’s stock price rose to new heights with its announcement of venturing into 5G.


Stock mispricing

Overvalued stock prices are a hallmark of speculative bubbles that eventually pop, driving prices low as rapidly as their rise. Similarly, investors dump stocks out of fear that a company may be doomed after a downturn, resulting in undervalued stock prices.

Economic factors

Finally, macroeconomic and microeconomic factors play their part in fluctuating stock prices. Political unrest, natural/anthropogenic disasters, war, civil unrest, unemployment, inflation, availability of workforce, etc., all impact stock prices. Covid-19 pandemic can be a prime example here. It has kept the markets on their toes with constant highs and lows.

How to benefit from fluctuations?

Most often, mispricing of well-established, large-cap companies is because of temporary sensations arising from scandals, legal issues, shutdowns, etc. These factors bring down stock prices, but only temporarily. Likewise, bear markets or general economic pessimism often beat down companies with no significant shortcomings. But, again, it’s only temporary.

In other words, it is primarily the judgement of market participants that shifts the prices. When a large bunch of investors perceive a bright future for a company, they’d be more interested in buying stocks, thereby causing prices to rise. Similarly, the market will see a downtrend when the participants don’t feel great about future prospects.

But here’s the trick: as an investor, it is up to you whether you choose to follow the herd or simply wait. Temporary setbacks can cause a company’s stock prices to go down, but it doesn’t mean that the company is gone for good. Businesses recover, and that’s the most important thing you should remember as an investor. 

Fluctuating stock prices are a market trait. However, as an insightful investor, you can benefit from dynamic market trends by not letting short-term volatility and losses cloud your judgement. Instead, wait for the prices to rise after a downtrend and sell when you have the chance of making substantial profits. Likewise, you can hang fire till the stock you want to buy is mispriced on the lower side. The key is to wait for the ripest opportunity.

52-week high vs 52-week low: A lesson for investors

Let’s look at the 52-week highs and lows of some BSE companies to understand the buy-low-and-sell-high mantra:

CompanyCurrent Market Cap (Cr.)Current Price (As of 31 December 2021)52-week Low52-week HighChange (%)
Reliance Industries LtdRs. 16,01,382.07Rs. 2,368.15Rs. 1,830.00Rs. 2,750.0050.3%
Tata Consultancy Services LtdRs. 13,82,280.01Rs. 3,736.85Rs. 2,701.00Rs. 3,990.0047.7%
HDFC Bank LtdRs. 8,20,164.27Rs. 1,479.80Rs. 1,342.00Rs. 1,724.3028.5%
Infosys LtdRs. 7,94,714.60Rs. 1,889.65Rs. 1,230.00Rs. 1,913.0055.5%
Hindustan Unilever LtdRs. 5,54,444.80Rs. 2,359.75Rs. 2,104.25Rs. 2,859.1035.8%
Source: BSE India

As evident from the table, the difference between the 52-week high and low is significant for all of these companies. However, these are established firms with negligible chances of the business’s worth overturning within a few months.

The point is this: it is solely the market participants’ sentiments that cause the fluctuations and lead to mispricing. The key is to play on the market sentiments and spot the right opportunity to trade and invest.

Conclusion

Several factors contribute to the ever-fluctuating price of stocks. It is a market characteristic that investors need to get used to and take advantage of as much as possible. If you’re a risk-averse investor looking out for long-term investment opportunities, temporary volatilities should not concern you largely. Companies that have survived the wraths of shifting market trends in the past have the potential to do so again. 

Manonmayi
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

The blog posts/articles on our platform are purely the author’s personal opinion and do not necessarily represent the views of Anchorage Technologies Private Limited (ATPL) or any of its associates. The content in these posts/articles is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as professional financial advice. Should you need such advice, please consult a professional financial or tax advisor. The content on our platform may include opinions, analysis, or commentary, which are subject to change, without notice, based on market conditions or other factors. Further, the use of any third-party websites or services linked on the website is at the user's discretion and risk. ATPL is not responsible for the content, accuracy, or security of external sites. Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks. Read all the related documents carefully before investing. Registration granted by SEBI, membership of BASL (in case of IAs) and certification from NISM in no way guarantee performance of the intermediary or provide any assurance of returns to investors. The examples and/or securities quoted (if any) are for illustration only and are not recommendatory. Any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk. In no event will ATPL be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website.

By accessing this platform and its blog section, you acknowledge and agree to the Terms and Conditions of this website, Privacy Policy and Disclaimer.