The market is made up of a variety of participants, ranging from the average investor or trader to large financial institutions and commercial and central banks. These participants play different roles in the market, such as hedgers, arbitrageurs, brokers, hedge funds, mutual funds, and pension funds. Each of these roles is important in ensuring the efficient functioning of the market and providing the necessary liquidity to make it possible for investors to buy and sell assets.
Here are the eight main categories of market participants:
1.Retail
2.Professional
3.Speculator
4.Investor
5.Novice
6.Institutional
7.Demand side
8.Supply side
1. Retail Traders:
Retail traders are people who trade in financial instruments, such as stocks, bonds, and options. Retail traders often use online trading platforms to trade, but they don't have the same access or analytics as professional traders. Retail traders are both short-term and long-term investors who want to profit from market volatility .
2. Professional Traders:
Professional traders are people who trade financial instruments like stocks, options, and futures. These traders often have extensive market knowledge and can use their skills and discipline to profit from market opportunities. To increase their profits, professional traders might also employ advanced strategies like algorithmic trading or arbitrage.
3. Speculative Traders:
Speculative traders trade and buy financial instruments like bonds, stocks and currencies, commodities, and derivatives with the aim of earning a profit from market fluctuations. They typically utilize strategies like technical analysis, risk management and hedging, to safeguard their investment and increase the returns they earn. While speculative trading is risky however, it is also extremely profitable.
4. Investors:
Investors are individuals or organizations who invest their funds to purchase and hold financial instruments, such as bonds, stocks, and real estate with the intention of earning profits from their investments . Investors also contribute capital to businesses through equity or debt. They could be individual or institutional. They can range from individuals who invest in their retirement accounts to large corporations like hedge funds and pension funds that invest for the benefit of many others. The majority of investment decisions are designed with the intention of producing long-term gains however some investors might prefer quick-term gains.
5. Novice Traders:
Novice traders are just starting their journey in trading. They are not experienced with the stock market and aren't knowledgeable about the various kinds of investments, strategies for trading as well as the risks that come with trading. They might need to conduct more research and practice prior to deciding to invest their own funds. There are numerous websites that can assist novice traders to get started and learn the fundamentals of trading.
6. Institutional Traders:
Institutional traders are usually large corporations like hedge funds, banks insurance companies, banks, and pension fun ds which trade financial assets on market capitals. They usually trade massive amounts of assets with the intention of earning profits or hedge risk . They typically have access to advanced trading instruments, research tools and strategies for managing risk which aren't accessible to individuals.
7. Demand Side Traders:
Demand traders typically focus only on short-term trading; they only hold positions for just a few days or even hours. They use a variety of techniques, such as technical analysis and charting, to identify potential trading opportunities only for Buy side.
8. Supply Side Traders:
Supply Traders typically focus only on the short-term trading, they only hold positions for just few days or even hours. They use variety of techniques, such as technical analysis and charting, to identify potential trading opportunities only for Sell side.
Fig 1.1
Market participants may also be categorized as:
1. Discretionary Traders
2. Nondiscretionary Traders
1. Discretionary Traders:
Discretionary traders are individuals who make investment decisions based on their own judgement, rather than using a pre-determined set of rules or following a specific trading plan. They assess market conditions and make decisions on when to enter and exit positions, as well as how much to risk on each trade. This type of trading requires a high degree of skill, experience, and market knowledge to be successful.
2. Nondiscretionary Traders:
Nondiscretionary traders are those who make trading decisions based on predetermined criteria such as technical analysis or fundamental analysis. They typically follow a set of specific rules to determine the best times to buy and sell securities. Unlike discretionary traders, they are not allowed to make subjective decisions based on their own individual judgment. Nondiscretionary traders rely on their technical and fundamental analysis to make trading decisions.
Market participants can be categorized by a variety of factors, such as the amount of time they spend in the markets, the methodology they use, the types of investments they make, the size of their portfolios, their risk tolerances, their trading strategies, and their overall goals. Additionally, they can be classified based on whether they are active or passive investors, as well as individual or institutional investors. Each of these factors can be used to create a more comprehensive picture of the various market participants.
Fig 1.2
lists the five main groups of market participants by the amount of time they spend in the markets.
Conclusion:
Market participants can trade and invest in both main markets as well as instruments which allow access to these markets. these instruments are also called as derivatives as they derived from the main underlying markets.
• By buying the silver itself (main market)
• Selling and buying a futures contract on silver (derivatives market)
• Selling and buying options contract on silver (derivatives market)
• Investing in silver-backed -ETF Shares
• Trading and investing through silver contracts for difference.
Comments