As an investor or trader, it is crucial to have a comprehensive understanding of the charges involved when it comes to pledging and unpledging shares. These charges play a significant role in determining the financial implications and feasibility of utilising shares as collateral for trading purposes. Whether you are seeking to leverage your holdings to secure an additional margin or looking to regain ownership of your shares, being aware of the associated fees is essential for making informed decisions.
What is Pledging of Shares?
Experienced traders and investors often find themselves in possession of a substantial portfolio consisting of stocks, mutual fund units, and ETF units. However, the limitation of limited cash margins can hinder their ability to fully capitalize on lucrative trading opportunities.
To avoid such constraints, traders have the option to leverage their held stocks or mutual fund/ETF units through a process called margin pledge. This mechanism operates akin to a mortgage loan, where an asset (such as a share or MF/ETF unit) is utilised as collateral to secure additional trading margin.
By pledging shares held in their demat account, traders can unlock extra margin after a haircut or percentage deduction, enabling them to seize greater trading potential and explore a broader spectrum of investment opportunities.
Start Investing with Free Expert Advice!
How Does a Margin Pledge Work?
When utilizing pledge share margins for trading, you can engage in the following:
- Equities (intraday)
- Future derivatives writing
- Equity Options writing
- Currency futures and options
It's important to note that at the end of the trading day, price variations are adjusted. Nevertheless, you cannot utilise collateral margins for trades until you clear any negative balances.
According to stock exchange regulations, the following requirements must be met:
- 50% collateral in cash or its equivalent
- 50% collateral in non-cash collateral margin
In the event of a shortage in the necessary cash collateral, which is compensated by non-cash collateral, a delayed charge will be incurred.
What is the Unpledging of Shares?
Once you have pledged shares to obtain trading margin, you have the option to unpledge them once the margin requirement is fulfilled. Upon unpledging, the shares will be promptly transferred back to your demat account.
In addition, unpledging shares entails relinquishing the corresponding margin associated with them. In other words, once you unpledge your shares, the margin derived from them can no longer be utilised for trading purposes.
What are the Charges for Pledging & Unpledging Shares?
There are four types of charges for pledging and unpledging shares, including:
- Rs. 25 per scrip for the funding pledge
- Rs. 12.5 per scrip for the margin pledge
- Rs. 12.5 per scrip for unpledging
- Rs. 25 (Rs. 12.5 + Rs. 12.5) per scrip for unpledging and selling
You must pay the abovementioned charges whenever you pledge/unpledge the shares in your account. These charges will be deducted directly from your ledger account.
When you engage in the process of pledging or unpledging shares, it is imperative to be aware that the aforementioned charges must be paid. These charges will be deducted directly from your ledger account, ensuring a seamless and transparent transaction.
Final Words
Understanding the charges and procedures involved in pledging and unpledging shares is crucial for traders and investors alike. By familiarising oneself with the costs associated with these transactions, individuals can make informed decisions and effectively manage their trading strategies.
Pledging shares offers the opportunity to leverage one's existing holdings as collateral, providing an additional margin for trading and unlocking greater potential in the equity market. Conversely, unpledging allows traders to regain ownership of their securities, but at the expense of forfeiting the associated margin.
It is essential to note that charges, such as the fixed per scrip fees, apply to both pledging and unpledging processes. By paying attention to these charges, traders can optimise their trading capabilities and seize larger opportunities, even in the absence of sufficient funds.
Whether it is maximising buying capacity or navigating the intricacies of collateral margins, understanding and accounting for these charges is a crucial aspect of a trader's financial journey.
Popular Stocks: ICICI Bank Share Price | HDFC Bank Share Price | Britannia Share Price | Divislab Share Price | Tata Consumer Share Price
Related Articles: Do I have to pay Initial Margin and Mark - to - Market Margin to the Broker | How to Calculate Initial Margin for Futures Contracts