Trade Futures & Options with PCJ

A future is an obligation to buy/sell at a set price and date; an option gives the right, but not the obligation, to do so. Both are traded on exchanges with margin.

Yes — derivatives are leveraged. SEBI data shows 9 of 10 individual F&O traders incurred net losses. Trade only with a clear understanding of the risks.

Yes — the strategy builder lets you construct strategies and see pay-off charts and Greeks before you trade.

F&O trades in fixed quantities called lots, set by the exchange for each underlying; you trade in multiples of the lot.

Every contract has an expiry date on which it is settled. Index and stock derivatives have weekly and/or monthly expiries.

An F&O-enabled trading account and sufficient margin — plus a clear understanding of the products and their risks.

Futures and options are contracts whose value depends on an underlying asset — a stock, index, commodity or currency pair. A future is an agreement to buy or sell at a fixed price on a future date. An option gives you the right — but not the obligation — to do so, for a price called the premium. They are tools for hedging and trading, and they carry leverage, which magnifies both profit and loss.

Very. SEBI's own study found that about nine out of ten individual F&O traders lost money, with sizeable average losses. Leverage means a small market move against you can wipe out a large part of your capital. If you still want to trade derivatives, start small, learn payoff structures, always use stop losses, and never trade with money you cannot afford to lose.

Margin is the deposit the exchange requires you to keep with the broker to take a leveraged position. It ensures you can honour your obligations if the market moves against you. Margins change with volatility, and if your losses eat into the margin, you get a margin call asking for more funds — failing which the position may be squared off.

SEBI requires brokers to collect income proof before activating derivative segments because F&O involves leverage and is suitable only for investors who can bear the risk. A recent salary slip, six months' bank statement, ITR acknowledgement or demat holdings statement usually works.

Muhurat trading is a special one-hour trading session that exchanges hold on Diwali evening, considered an auspicious time to invest. The exact timing is announced by NSE and BSE each year. It is a symbolic session — liquidity is thinner than normal hours, so trade thoughtfully.

There is no minimum. You can buy a single share, and many good companies trade at modest prices. If you prefer mutual funds, SIPs start from as little as ₹500 a month. What matters is starting early and staying regular — the amount can grow with your confidence.

In delivery trading you buy shares and hold them — they are credited to your demat account and remain yours until you sell. In intraday trading you buy and sell the same day, closing your position before the market shuts. Delivery builds long-term wealth; intraday is short-term trading that needs skill, discipline and strict stop losses.

Normal equity market hours on NSE and BSE are 9:15 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday to Friday, with a pre-open session from 9:00 to 9:15 AM. Markets are closed on exchange holidays — see our Market Holidays page for this year's full list and a live open/closed status.

A stop loss is an order that automatically exits your position if the price crosses a level you set, capping your loss. For traders it is essential — it turns an unlimited risk into a known, small one. Decide your exit level before you enter a trade, not after the price starts falling.

Yes, in most cases you can convert an intraday position to delivery before the market closes, provided you have the full funds for the purchase. The reverse is also possible subject to margins. Do note that conversion depends on the stock being available for delivery trades and on your available balance.

No. PCJ does not run a research desk and does not provide any investment advice, tips or recommendations. We provide the trading platform, market data and execution only; your Relationship Manager assists with account and service support, not with what to buy or sell. Every investment decision is entirely your own — SEBI registration and NISM certification do not guarantee returns, and no honest broker will promise them.

Yes. PCJ Holdings is a SEBI-registered stock broker and a depository participant with NSDL, and a member of NSE, BSE and MCX since 2006. Your shares are not held by us — they sit in your own demat account with the depository (NSDL) in your name. Your funds are kept in client bank accounts that are separate from the company's own money, as SEBI rules require. Exchanges also run regular inspections of every member broker.