NIFTY 50 Index    (NIFTY)

The Nifty is an Indian benchmark stock index introduced by the National Stock Exchange (NSE).

The index is a collection of the top-performing 50 stocks, often called as Nifty 50 stocks.

You can invest in the Nifty index in four ways:

• Stocks: Nifty is a collection of 50 stocks. Hence an investor can choose to invest in Nifty by investing in the stocks that form Nifty. An investor should create a portfolio of stocks in the same ratio as the Nifty. Thus investment will move in tandem with Nifty.

• Index funds: Index funds are mutual funds. These mutual funds have invested in stocks in the same ratio as Nifty. Thus investing in these mutual funds will give you the same exposure as investing in Nifty.

• Exchange-traded funds: An exchange-traded fund is a basket of securities. The basket can be traded on the stock exchange. These ETFs track an index and generate returns in line with the index.

• Derivatives: Derivatives derive their value from an underlying asset. The underlying asset can be anything of value that can be traded. Hence, there are Nifty futures and options which have the Nifty index as their underlying asset. However, there is no physical delivery in derivatives.

Nifty is a collection of 50 top-performing stocks listed on the NSE. These 50 stocks are the largest Indian companies.

The Nifty is computed using the free-float market capitalisation weighted method wherein the level of the index reflects the total market value of all the stocks in the index relative to the base period of 3 November 1995.

The NIFTY 50 Index was at 17,616.3 (down 0.3%).

Within the NIFTY 50 Index, the top gainers were ITC (up 2.6%) and TATA STEEL (up 2.0%). On the other hand, ADANI PORTS & SEZ (down 19.7%) and HDFC LIFE INSURANCE (down 11.0%) were among the top losers.

Note: Outside of Indian market hours, the performance of NSE Nifty can be tracked via its derivative that trades in Singapore, SGX NIFTY.

Nifty is a collection of stocks and not a security that is traded on any stock exchange. Hence, we cannot buy Nifty directly.

However, there are ways in which one can invest in the Nifty.

These are investing in Nifty 50 stocks, investing in index funds representing the Nifty index or buying future and options for the Nifty index.