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Bombay Stock Exchange

Brokers with access to the Bombay Stock Exchange offer trading on one of two major stock exchanges operating in India. A list of our top BSE brokers and a comparison guide is provided below. This BSE trading tutorial will also outline market opening hours and holiday lists, plus average online daily trading volume, before running through the best times to trade. Find out how to start day trading the Bombay Stock Exchange.

Best Bombay Stock Exchange Brokers

These are the 5 best brokers for trading on the Bombay Stock Exchange:

  1. Vantage
  2. XTB
  3. IG
  4. SuperForex
  5. Admiral Markets

#1 - Vantage

Why We Chose Vantage

Founded in 2009, Vantage offers trading on 1000+ short-term CFD products to over 900,000 clients. You can trade Forex CFDs from 0.0 pips on the RAW account through TradingView, MT4 or MT5. Vantage is ASIC-regulated and client funds are segregated. Copy traders will also appreciate the range of social trading tools.

"Vantage remains an excellent option for CFD traders seeking a tightly-regulated broker with access to the reliable MetaTrader platforms. The fast sign-up process and $50 minimum deposit make it very straightforward to start day trading quickly."

- DayTrading Review Team
  • Instruments: CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Bonds
  • Regulator: FCA, ASIC, FSCA, VFSC
  • Platforms: ProTrader, MT4, MT5, TradingView, DupliTrade
  • Minimum Deposit: $50
  • Minimum Trade: 0.01 Lots
  • Leverage: 1:500

Stock Exchanges

Vantage offers trading on 14 stock exchanges:

  • Australian Securities Exchange (ASX)
  • Bombay Stock Exchange
  • CAC 40 Index France
  • DAX GER 40 Index
  • Dow Jones
  • Euronext
  • FTSE UK Index
  • Hang Seng
  • IBEX 35
  • Japan Exchange Group
  • London Stock Exchange
  • Nasdaq
  • National Stock Exchange Of India
  • S&P 500

Pros

  • The broker has recently made efforts to expand its suite of CFDs providing further trading opportunities
  • It’s quick and easy to open a live account – taking less than 2 minutes
  • Vantage maintains its high trust score thanks to its strong reputation and top-tier regulation from the FCA and ASIC

Cons

  • The average execution speeds of 100ms to 250ms are slower than alternatives based on tests
  • It's a shame that some clients will need to register with the offshore entity, which offers less regulatory protection
  • A steep $10,000 deposit is needed for the best trading conditions, which include the $1.50 commission per side
Visit Vantage

#2 - XTB

Why We Chose XTB

Founded in 2002 in Poland, XTB now serves more than 935,000 clients. The forex and CFD broker combines a heavily regulated trading environment with an extensive selection of 5,600+ assets and a commitment to trader satisfaction, featuring an intuitive in-house platform with superb tools to support aspiring day traders.

"XTB stands out as a top choice for new day traders with the terrific xStation platform, commission-free pricing, no minimum deposit, and excellent educational tools, many of which are seamlessly integrated into the platform. "

- DayTrading Review Team
  • Instruments: CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto, ETFs
  • Regulator: FCA, CySEC, KNF, CNMV, DFSA, FSC
  • Platforms: xStation
  • Minimum Deposit: $0
  • Minimum Trade: 0.01 Lots
  • Leverage: 1:30 (EU) 1:500 (Global)

Stock Exchanges

XTB offers trading on 17 stock exchanges:

  • Australian Securities Exchange (ASX)
  • Bombay Stock Exchange
  • CAC 40 Index France
  • DAX GER 40 Index
  • Deutsche Boerse
  • Dow Jones
  • Euronext
  • FTSE UK Index
  • Hang Seng
  • Hong Kong Stock Exchange
  • IBEX 35
  • Japan Exchange Group
  • Nasdaq
  • New York Stock Exchange
  • Russell 2000
  • S&P 500
  • SIX Swiss Exchange

Pros

  • XTB offers fast withdrawals with same-day payments if requested before 1 pm, ensuring day traders have quick access to their funds.
  • First-class 24/5 customer support is available, including a friendly live chat with response times of under two minutes during testing.
  • The xStation platform continues to impress with its user-friendly interface and intuitive features, including customizable news feeds, sentiment heatmaps, and trader calculator, reducing the learning curve for newer traders.

Cons

  • The research tools at XTB are good but could be great if they went beyond in-house features with access to leading third-party tools such as Autochartist, Trading Central and TipRanks.
  • Not being able to adjust the default leverage level of XTB products is frustrating, as manual adjustment can significantly mitigate trade risk, especially in forex and CFD trading.
  • The demo account expires after just four weeks, a serious limitation for traders who wish to thoroughly test the xStation platform and practice short-term strategies before committing real funds.
Visit XTB

#3 - IG

Why We Chose IG

Founded in 1974, IG is part of IG Group Holdings Plc, a publicly traded (LSE: IGG) brokerage. The brand offers spread betting, CFD and forex trading across an almost unrivalled selection of 17,000+ markets, with a range of user-friendly platforms and investing apps. For 50 years, IG has maintained its position as an industry leader, excelling in all key areas for traders.

"IG continues to provide a comprehensive package with an intuitive web platform and best-in-class education for beginners, plus advanced charting tools, real-time data, and fast execution speeds for experienced day traders."

- DayTrading Review Team
  • Instruments: CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures, Options, Crypto, Spread Betting
  • Regulator: FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA
  • Platforms: Web, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, MT4, AutoChartist, TradingCentral
  • Minimum Deposit: $0
  • Minimum Trade: 0.01 Lots
  • Leverage: 1:30 (Retail), 1:250 (Pro)

Stock Exchanges

IG offers trading on 20 stock exchanges:

  • Australian Securities Exchange (ASX)
  • Bombay Stock Exchange
  • Borsa Italiana
  • Deutsche Boerse
  • Dow Jones
  • Euronext
  • Hong Kong Stock Exchange
  • IBEX 35
  • Japan Exchange Group
  • Korean Stock Exchange
  • London Stock Exchange
  • National Stock Exchange Of India
  • Russell 2000
  • S&P 500
  • SIX Swiss Exchange
  • Shanghai Stock Exchange
  • Shenzhen Stock Exchange
  • Tadawul
  • Taiwan Stock Exchange
  • Toronto Stock Exchange

Pros

  • IG is amongst the best in terms of its range of instruments, which includes stocks, forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies, providing ample diversification opportunities
  • IG offers an extensive collection of professional and engaging educational resources, including webinars, articles, and analysis
  • The IG app offers a superb mobile trading experience with a clean design that helped it secure Runner Up at our Best Trading App award

Cons

  • While there is negative balance protection in the UK and EU, there is no account protection or guaranteed stop losses for US clients
  • IG applies an inactivity fee of $12 per month after 2 years, deterring casual investors
  • Beginners might find IG’s fee structure complex, with various fees for different types of trades or services, potentially leading to confusion or unexpected charges
Visit IG

#4 - SuperForex

Why We Chose SuperForex

Established in 2013, SuperForex is an offshore CFD and forex broker offering highly leveraged trades on 400+ instruments via the popular MetaTrader 4 platform. The broker has gained clients in over 150 countries and is regulated by the Belize IFSC. With a range of STP/ECN account types, including swap-free, micro and zero spread, this broker continues to suit traders with different styles and setups. SuperForex also offers a range of welcome bonuses and trading contests.

"SuperForex will suit experienced traders looking for high leverage rates and premium membership packages. The broker also continues to stand out for its wide selection of beginner-friendly accounts, although the lack of top-tier regulation is a notable drawback."

- DayTrading Review Team
  • Instruments: CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Cryptos, Commodities
  • Regulator: IFSC
  • Platforms: MT4
  • Minimum Deposit: $1
  • Minimum Trade: 0.01 Lots
  • Leverage: 1:2000

Stock Exchanges

SuperForex offers trading on 7 stock exchanges:

  • Australian Securities Exchange (ASX)
  • Bombay Stock Exchange
  • Deutsche Boerse
  • Euronext
  • Japan Exchange Group
  • New York Stock Exchange
  • SIX Swiss Exchange

Pros

  • The broker offers an impressive range of 12+ account base currencies covering multiple global regions
  • Traders can receive 5% annual interest on their account equity - a great way to earn passive income
  • Various accessible payment methods are supported, including crypto, with zero fees and fast processing times

Cons

  • The 0.5-pip minimum spreads in the standard ECN accounts are not as tight as some of the cheapest ECN brokers, such as Pepperstone
  • The Belize IFSC is not considered a top-tier regulatory provider, so clients may receive fewer financial safeguards
Visit SuperForex

#5 - Admiral Markets

Why We Chose Admiral Markets

Admirals is an FCA- and ASIC-regulated broker with an excellent range of leveraged instruments, including forex, stocks, indices, ETFs, commodities, cryptos and more. The broker supports the MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and TradingCentral platforms. With both spread betting and CFDs available and thousands of instruments, this broker provides more flexibility than most rivals.

"Admirals is a good pick for novice-to-intermediate traders that want a trustworthy, regulated broker with access to a wide range of markets with tight spreads and no commission."

- DayTrading Review Team
  • Instruments: Forex, CFDs, indices, shares, commodities, cryptocurrencies, ETFs, bonds, spread betting
  • Regulator: FCA, CySEC, ASIC, JSC
  • Platforms: MT4, MT5, TradingCentral
  • Minimum Deposit: $100
  • Minimum Trade: 0.01 Lots
  • Leverage: 1:30 (EU), 1:500 (Global)

Stock Exchanges

Admiral Markets offers trading on 14 stock exchanges:

  • Australian Securities Exchange (ASX)
  • Bombay Stock Exchange
  • CAC 40 Index France
  • DAX GER 40 Index
  • Dow Jones
  • Euronext
  • FTSE UK Index
  • Hang Seng
  • Hong Kong Stock Exchange
  • IBEX 35
  • Nasdaq
  • Nasdaq Nordic & Baltics
  • SIX Swiss Exchange
  • Shanghai Stock Exchange

Pros

  • Demo account to test the broker before real-money trading
  • Tight spreads and low to zero commissions mean Admiral Markets is a good option for active traders
  • Copy trading service with easy account controls

Cons

  • US traders not accepted
  • The demo account expires after 30 days
  • Monthly inactivity fee
Visit Admiral Markets

Comparing BSE Brokers

Brokers with access to the Bombay Stock Exchange allow investors to trade on India’s top stocks and shares via a range of instruments. When choosing between BSE brokers, consider the following:

Platforms & Tools

When comparing the best BSE brokers, consider the tools and software most important to your strategy. This could include the integration of customizable charts or graphs using historical data, and a live calendar of Indian economic events.

The top BSE brokers will also integrate training and step-by-step guides on how to use platforms, including how to open and close positions and review data important to your BSE trading strategy.

Access to a mobile app may also be important, particularly if you are wanting to trade BSE stocks while on the go. Beginners may also want to check for a demo account so they can test tools and features before risking funds. IG, for example, allows retail clients to practice investing with $10,000 in virtual funds on both desktop and mobile. Additionally, day traders benefit from exclusive educational content via the IG Academy.

Fees & Costs

The fee structure is a key comparison point. Look for BSE brokers with a transparent and competitive commission arrangement. How much will it cost to trade BSE stocks? And are there any swap charges or other non-trading fees to take into account, such as inactivity penalties?

A low minimum deposit requirement may also be important, particularly for beginners or those with limited access to capital. Other things to review when choosing between BSE brokers include a margin trading facility and free currency conversions if opening trades in money other than your account denomination.

Capital.com, for example, offers no fees for any deposits, withdrawals, educational content, real-time quotes or dynamic charts and indicators.

Regulation & Security

The best brokers with access to the Bombay Stock Exchange will be regulated by a trusted financial agency, such as the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). Also check whether you have access to compensation schemes and scam support in case of broker insolvency or other issues.

Secure login protocols, such as two-factor authentication (2FA) or face recognition biometrics, can also be important when comparing BSE brokers. The top-ranked brokers will provide this alongside SSL secure data transmissions and one-time-password (OTP) protection when making any account changes or attempting to withdraw funds.

Note, the latest news indicates that the Securities and Exchange Board of India may soon allow individuals to directly carry out BSE investments rather than having to trade via registered brokers. This initiative could change the way India’s investment market functions and provide challenges for existing BSE brokers and international firms.

What Is The Bombay Stock Exchange?

The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) was the first exchange introduced in Asia, established in 1875 and is currently owned by BSE Ltd.

Based in Mumbai, India, it is now the oldest but second-largest stock exchange in India after the government-owned National Stock Exchange Of India (NSE), with a market capitalization of approximately $2.2 trillion.

History

The history of the exchange has a humble beginning. At its origin in the 1850s, five brokers would discuss business under a banyan tree in front of the Mumbai town hall. Dalal Street was selected in 1874 as the setting for the creation of the Native Share and Stock Broker’s Association. This would eventually become the BSE.

In 1956 the exchange was recognized under the Indian Securities Contacts law (SEBI) as the country’s first exchange. Today, this famous street is home to several financial corporations, banks and investment firms that are regularly reported on and used to understand the Indian financial industry’s health.

In 1986, a tool was developed to measure the overall performance of the BSE institute. The operations measurement is known as SENSEX, a stock market index hosting trading volume and an outlook view of 30 well-established companies listed on the exchange.

In 1995, the Bombay Stock Exchange converted from an open trading floor to an electronic system. This is known as BOLT (BSE Online Trading). Today, the BSE and BOLT are recognized for their fast execution times and competent system with few errors, ranking alongside other globally established exchanges such as the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). This was a major milestone in BSE history.

What Is The Bombay Stock Exchange Used For?

The Bombay Stock Exchange has helped to develop India’s capital markets, supporting the growth of the Indian corporate sector. The three main functions of the BSE are economic contribution, marketability & liquidity and price determination. BSE has also expanded to provide other capital market services, such as clearing, risk management and settlement procedures.

As many significant national corporations are featured on the exchange, it can also act as a gauge of economic health or a reflection of the impact of major events. The top BSE brokers offer insights and metrics on individual stocks and the index as a whole.

The exchange is known for being used as an investment platform by individuals across the globe looking to make a profit from Indian stock price fluctuations. Traders can invest in a listed corporation’s stocks, ‘short selling’ or ‘going long’ depending on market sentiment trends. The BSE securities list is comprehensive and enables members to trade in equities, options, futures, currencies, and mutual funds, among others.

BSE Vs NSE Trading

The National Stock Exchange (NSE) is a newer exchange in India, founded in 1992. It is now the largest exchange in India but has fewer listed companies, at around 2000 vs the BSE with over 5000.

The NSE benchmark index is known as NIFTY 50, tracking the 50 largest and most liquid stocks by market capitalization. The BSE index is named SENSEX (stock exchange sensitive index). A stock market index essentially summarizes the movements of the overall market in real time. Look out for both of these on your BSE brokers list of available assets.

How The BSE Works

Listing Rules

There are several BSE listing requirements that companies must adhere to before being considered to list as members on the exchange and be available to trade at BSE brokers.

The application is comprehensive and approval is granted by the provisions of the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act and guidelines issued by SEBI. Circular trading window information is distributed to all listed companies by the SEBI. The main BSE rules and requirements include:

SENSEX

Stock market indices such as the BSE SENSEX operate to depict the condition of the market and support investors in discovering patterns. SENSEX comprises the 30 largest and most actively traded stocks on the BSE markets. The components of the index are selected by the S&P committee based on the following criteria:

The largest plunge experienced by the index was in 1992, dropping almost 13%, following reports of a scam. It was revealed that a broker had siphoned money from the banking sector to propel money into stocks.

However, India’s surging economy has witnessed significant BSE highlights. With this, the SENSEX index on the Bombay Stock Exchange has seen significant volume growth, averaging around +14% per year between 1986 and 2021.

From launch, the index was based on a market capitalization weighted mechanism, before moving to a free-float method in 2003. This uses the number of available shares to trade, removing suspended stocks such as those held by company insiders.

BSE SME

The BSE SME exchange was set up to provide small and medium enterprises with a platform for raising equity capital for expansion and growth. This was backed by a government task force, with SEBI creating governance regulations. Existing members of the exchange may trade on the shares of the SME. Company listing requirements include:

Indian Numbering System

BSE investments are conducted in Indian Rupees (INR). It should also be noted that the exchange uses an Indian numbering system which you may see quoted on your BSE broker’s trading platform. References include INR 100,000 referred to as 1 Lakh and INR 10 million denoted as 1 Crore.

With these definitions of major intervals taking the place of millions and billions, numbering physically looks different too. When counting with Lakhs and Crores, large numbers follow a 2,2,2,3 system, rather than the western 3,3,3. That is to say, the number 100 million is written as 100,000,000 in the West but 10,00,00,000 in India. There are also more names for larger numbers but the numbers continue to be separated in pairs rather than threes. It is useful to understand this system before investing on the exchange.

How To Start Day Trading On The Bombay Stock Exchange

Once you have compared BSE brokers and are ready to start investing, there are a few considerations:

Strategy

Beginning your investment journey can feel quite complex. However, it is worth following a strategy to turn a profit. The best approach is to analyze previous market data, facts, charts and patterns as a tool for price predictions. Many strategies will also integrate risk management tools like stop orders and preset position sizes to reduce losses.

Tip: the top brokers with access to the Bombay Stock Exchange will let you test systems using a demo account.

Choose A Stock

Another difficult decision is ascertaining the best stocks to invest in on the Bombay Stock Exchange. With the ever-growing company search list, which will provide the best profit potential? The level of unpredictability surrounding stocks can influence price fluctuations within a session. Stocks with low volatility tend to offer less profit potential.

Spend some time analyzing price shifts and average trading volumes across the past few weeks for example. Volume gives weight to market moves. The greater the volume, the greater the movement. Expanding your search out of the top 20+ stocks in the trading ring that BSE brokers may offer could also make a difference to your profit potential. Live index trackers and screeners can also be valuable when looking into the Bombay Stock Exchange.

BSE Trading Hours

The Bombay Stock Exchange is open Monday to Friday for a total of 6 hours and 15 minutes, exclusive of extended hours. See below for the typical opening hours schedule:

BSE stock exchange trading hours operate in the Indian time zone, GMT + 05:30. Note that the exchange is not open on Saturday or Sunday, though it does not close for lunch during the week.

Keep an eye on public holiday dates as the stock exchange will likely close. Many BSE brokers will integrate a holiday calendar into personal account portals, including those upcoming throughout 2024.

The Bombay Stock Exchange holds Muhurat hours during Diwali. For example, the BSE market opening time in 2020 was between 18:15 to 19:15 IST. Watch your BSE brokers’ holiday schedule for announcements of new timings, changes to start or closing times, or upcoming holidays for 2024.

Biggest Players

There are over 5,600 companies listed on the Bombay Stock exchange, representing several diversified categories from energy to banking to information technology. Some of the largest listed companies by market cap include:

BSE Trading Tips

There are several ways to increase the potential of your BSE trading strategy. Our top tips include:

Educational Resources

Access to comprehensive teaching resources is important whether you are a new or experienced trader. Useful resources include a full BSE NSE calendar with public holidays, company annual report publications, reviews of the most volatile/liquid days in a week, specific asset types and investing methods that can be accessed in the index chart.

It can also be useful to research forex, retail bonds, futures and more. The best BSE brokers will integrate many of these services into their offerings. Look out for content organized by experience level.

For advanced education, there are many full-scale online courses or training days. These webinars and live events are often led by experts in the field and can give you useful advice, tutorial demonstrations, an understanding of the best trading hours and live BSE investment examples.

Algorithms

You may also want to consider automated (algo) BSE trading once you have an appropriate strategy. These algorithms can be added to BSE brokers’ platforms to execute trades that follow pre-determined strategies with specific entry and exit signals, position sizes and risk management systems in place.

The benefits of using automated services include reducing the time and effort required to manually enter and exit the market. Trades can be automatically closed or stopped when pre-set thresholds are met. This can be added via an online robot system or API integration.

Demo Accounts

Many of the top BSE brokers will offer a demo terminal on their website or through their desktop clients. These are great for beginners and veterans alike. The simulated environment is perfect for exploring new strategies, markets and platforms without the risk of any monetary loss, as the accounts are funded with virtual money.

DSIJ and BSE 2 NSE also offer a free BSE online virtual game, a system developed to improve understanding of the Indian equity market. Practice bonds, commodities like gold and derivatives investing on the platform site today with no pre-data experience or research needed.

News

Keeping up to date with the latest BSE news events is important. This will support you in anticipating market movers during your BSE session. It is also worth keeping abreast of events happening within the companies list. Big events or news can create volatile swings in individual stock prices and market indices.

Historical price data and information will also be published across a variety of sources including on BSE brokers’ platforms. Data may include insider trading from events and average trading turnover. These will help you to understand previous market gainers and fallers, so you can better predict those in the future.

Final Word On BSE Brokers

BSE brokers offer access to several investment opportunities, suited to even new day traders. The SENSEX index offers decent potential to profit from the price fluctuations seen by some of the major corporations in India. To get started, use a range of resources, consider looking for educational content and review our list of recommended BSE brokers.

FAQs

In Which Year Did The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) Start Trading In Securities?

BSE trading in securities began in 1956 when it was recognized under the Indian Securities Contacts law as the country’s first exchange. The first company to be listed on the exchange was D.S. Prabhudas & Company, now known as DSP.

What Is The Bombay Stock Exchange Market Opening Time Via Online Brokers?

The online trading time for the Bombay Stock Exchange is between 09:00 and 16:00 IST Monday to Friday, GMT + 05:30. Remember that there may be window closures for public holidays. The top BSE brokers will offer market access during all trading sessions.

Do BSE And NSE Brokers Have The Same Trading Holidays?

Yes, as both exchanges operate from India they follow the same calendar. Notable dates on the NSE and BSE trading holidays calendars include Muharat. Look out for a published calendar on your BSE brokers’ website.

What Are BSE Insider Trading Regulations?

BSE insider trading is the disclosure of individuals breaking protocol set by the SEBI, including employees buying and selling stock in their own companies or utilizing information not yet known to the public to profit from their company’s shares. Insider data is published under the Prohibition of Insider Trading Regulations, 2015. Disclosures include employees from Yes Bank Ltd.

What Does It Mean If BSE Stocks Are Trading Below Book Value?

If stock is trading below book value, the company’s assets aren’t earning enough to satisfy the majority of investors. The BSE book value is a good baseline for stock prices and can give a live overview of share trading for investors.