Before we understand short selling in delivery, let us spend a moment understanding the rolling settlement system in India. Indian markets currently operate on a T+2 rolling system. That means if you buy or sell a stock in the morning and do not square off before the end of trade on the same day, then it compulsorily goes into delivery. If you sell and don’t square off before the end of trading on the same delivery, you need to give delivery of shares. If you cannot give shares, it becomes short delivery. Short selling in delivery can have a steep cost as in such cases the stock could be for auction and you may end up bearing a huge loss. But that is another matter.
Short selling in delivery
Intraday traders are OK in the Indian market, either it can be bought and sold or sell and buy. But if you sell and don’t give delivery, it becomes short selling in delivery. This system means that if shares are purchased the client must pay the full amount and take delivery in Demat account. More importantly, if shares are sold for delivery, the client has to deliver shares to the exchanges to be transferred to the corresponding buyer. Failure to do so becomes short delivery or short selling in delivery.
Let us quickly go back to our rolling settlement system. Since our focus is on short-selling delivery, we will only look at the sell-side of an equity transaction. For example, if you sold shares on T day, then your trade is settled on T+2 day i.e., after 2 working days. If you don’t give delivery of shares by then, it is short selling in delivery. The buyer has already bought and paid for the stock, so the exchange will auction these shares and buy from the highest bidder and give them to the buyer. The auction loss will be borne by you, the person who is responsible for short delivery.
Let us now understand short delivery with a live example. You sold 500 shares of Tata Motors believing you already have shares in your Demat account. In case you sold without having delivery, it becomes short delivery. In such cases, the buyer will have to get the delivery so the buyer will get it from the auction. The auction losses are debited to the seller who is guilty of short delivery. Even if you did short delivery of shares by mistake, you still need to compensate the exchange for auction losses, since the exchange clearing corporation guarantees every trade in the market. It must be remembered that in the event of short delivery, exchange delivery to the buyer will only be on T+3 day.
Of course, there are in-built checks and balances to prevent short delivery. For example, online trading platforms will not allow you to sell the stock unless there is clean delivery available in the Demat account. But one area where such short delivery risk does arise is from BTST transactions. When traders buy on T day and sell on T+1 day, the assumption is that the stock they buy gets delivered on T+2 day. If that stock is short delivered to the buyer, then they may end up with short delivery. That is the risk you run.
Delivery trading strategies
Short delivery is more of a procedural problem. It is also instructive to look at what are the delivery trading strategies. For taking delivery trading, traders can adopt a trader strategy or an investment strategy that is long-term in nature. Alternatively, traders can adopt a growth approach to delivery or a value approach to delivery. The choice is huge and the choice is entirely in the hands of the trader.
What are charges for delivery trading
Delivery trading entails brokerage and a host of statutory levies like STT, GST, stamp duty, exchange charges, SEBI turnover tax, etc. Normally, most brokerages charge higher brokerage for delivery trading and lower brokerage for intraday trading. However, of late the discount brokers have turned the model on its head. They are charging for intraday trading and F&O trading but keep delivery trading free of cost.
Open a free Demat A/C
By continuing, I accept the Terms & Conditions and agree to receive updates on Whatsapp
Check out our attractive brokerage plans
Related Articles
- Five ways to avoid risks in trading
- 7 steps in a perfect trading routine
- 5 famous investors of the world and their trading strategies
- How to calculate support and resistance with the help of Open Interest data
- What Are Circuit Filters/Limits And How Are They Used?
- How To Use Gann Indicators In Stock Markets?
- How To Use Open Interest To Increase Your Profits?
- SEBI Notifies Strict Insider Trading Norms
- What Does 'R' Signify In Share Trading?
- What Is Gap-Up And Gap-Down In Stock Market Trading?
- What is the Marubozu Candlestick Pattern?
- What is a Short-Line Candlestick Pattern?
- Who are Authorized Participants?
- What is Residual Equity Theory?
- What is Trading Ahead?
As an enthusiast deeply immersed in the intricacies of financial markets, particularly in the context of the Indian market, I bring a wealth of firsthand expertise to the table. Having closely followed the evolution of trading systems and practices, I can confidently delve into the topic at hand—short selling in delivery.
The article touches upon the rolling settlement system in India, specifically operating on a T+2 basis. This means that trades executed in the morning must be squared off before the end of the trading day, or else they automatically transition into a delivery-based settlement. If one sells without squaring off and fails to deliver the shares by the end of T+2, it results in short delivery, potentially leading to substantial losses.
Let's dissect the key concepts introduced in the article:
-
Rolling Settlement System (T+2):
- In the Indian markets, trades are settled on a T+2 basis, meaning the settlement occurs two working days after the transaction.
-
Short Selling in Delivery:
- This occurs when an investor sells shares without delivering them within the specified timeframe. The article emphasizes the potential risks, including the stock going for auction, leading to significant losses for the seller.
-
Auction Process for Short Delivery:
- If a seller fails to deliver shares by T+2, the exchange conducts an auction to buy shares from the highest bidder, with the losses incurred in the auction borne by the seller responsible for short delivery.
-
Example of Short Delivery:
- An illustrative example involving the sale of Tata Motors shares without proper delivery is presented. This highlights the consequences of short delivery, with the buyer obtaining shares through an auction process.
-
Short Delivery Risk in BTST Transactions:
- The article mentions the risk of short delivery in transactions where traders buy on T day and sell on T+1 day, assuming the bought stock will be delivered on T+2. If the stock is short delivered, it leads to short delivery.
-
Delivery Trading Strategies:
- The article briefly touches on delivery trading strategies, suggesting traders can adopt either a short-term or long-term strategy, growth or value approach, based on their preferences and goals.
-
Charges for Delivery Trading:
- Delivery trading involves various charges, including brokerage, STT, GST, stamp duty, exchange charges, and SEBI turnover tax. The article notes that while most brokerages traditionally charge higher fees for delivery trading, some discount brokers are offering free delivery trading.
By understanding these concepts, traders can navigate the complexities of the Indian market, particularly in the context of short selling in delivery, and make informed decisions to mitigate risks and optimize their trading strategies.