Things to Keep in Mind While Buying Fractional Shares

Summary:

Fractional shares, also called partial shares or fractional investing, allow investors to buy and have ownership of a portion of the company's stock rather than a complete share. This blog explains how investors can go about putting their money in fractional shares. 

Introduction to fractional shares

Fractional shares, also called partial shares or fractional investing, allow investors to buy and have ownership of a portion of the company's stock rather than a complete share. Usually, stock trading entails purchasing and selling whole shares of a firm's stock, which may be expensive, especially for stocks that are priced high. Through fractional shares, investors are able to invest in stocks with smaller amounts of money. This makes it more accessible to a wider range of investors. The following are the key features of fractional shares:

• Fractional ownership: When fractional shares are bought, a portion of a full share of a company's stock is purchased. For example, if one share of a firm's stock costs INR 100, a 0.5 fractional share can be bought for INR 50, or any other fraction/denomination, depending on the budget.
• Affordability: Through fractional shares, investors are able to own the stocks of companies where the share prices are high. 
• Diversification: Investors are able to diversify their portfolios more easily by spreading their investments across multiple ETFs and stocks. They are able to do this even with limited capital by buying fractional shares in different companies.
• Dividends and voting rights: Owners of fractional shares are entitled to dividends based on the extent of the ownership. However, there may not be voting rights while holding those shares because they are usually tied to whole shares. 
• Platform availability: Typically, fractional shares in India are offered by online brokerage platforms and investment apps, which makes it simple for investors to purchase and sell fractions of shares.
• Costs and fees: It is essential to be aware of the fees associated with purchasing and selling fractional shares. Some platforms charge commission fees or markup the cost of the shares slightly when fractions are being purchased.

Fractional shares are popular among investors who have limited funds, enabling them to achieve diversified investment portfolios and invest in organisations that may have otherwise been out of their reach.

Things to keep in mind while buying fraction shares: 

When purchasing fractional shares, a number of important considerations have to be kept in mind in order to make informed investment decisions. Some of those are as follows:

• Select a brokerage that is reputable: One of the most important steps while buying fractional shares is to select a reputable and well-established brokerage or investment platform that has fractional shares on offer. They must have a track record of security, efficient customer service and fee structures that are transparent.
• Fees and commissions: Investors need to be aware of the fees and costs associated with purchasing and selling fractional shares. Different brokerages charge separate fees, including commission fees and/or markups on the price of the share. Comparing these fee structures helps to minimise costs.
• Liquidity: With fractional shares, liquidity is a bit of a concern. Even though it is easier to purchase them, selling fractional shares is not as straightforward. There are some platforms which do not permit selling fractions directly and require selling the entire position. This may not work for all investors.
• Dividend handling and voting rights: Owners of fractional shares are entitled to dividends (if the stock pays so), but the amount is in proportion to the ownership. Investors need to conduct their research and know if the dividend is paid out in cash or reinvested in additional fractional shares. However, owning fractional shares does not grant voting rights.
• Diversification: Through fractional shares, it is easy and convenient to diversify portfolios, but it is necessary to do this with a well-balanced investment strategy. Diversification through fractional shares can help spread risk across different asset classes and industries.
• Minimum investment: Some brokerages mandate requirements for minimum investments for buying fractional shares. Given that fractional shares are an option for those with limited funds, this may be a deal-breaker for many.
• Research and due diligence: It is necessary to conduct thorough research to understand companies' financials, competitive position, business model and growth prospects before investing in their fractional shares.
• Tolerance for risk: An in-depth assessment of the risk tolerance and investment goals will help determine if the fractional shares are worth opting for. Some stocks and industries may be slightly riskier than others. This makes it necessary to align the risk tolerance and the financial objectives.
• Market orders: One concern that does bother investors is that fractional shares do not always execute at the exact price that is seen because of fluctuations in the price of the stock.

Summing up

Fractional shares are usually very handy for investors, but like other forms of investments, they have their set of considerations and risks. Careful consideration of the factors mentioned above and in-depth research help with making informed decisions when buying and managing fractional shares, meaning that they are similar to other forms of investments.