WHY SHOULD I INVEST IN SHARES

Almost everyone worldwide has an interest in shares, whether they realize it or not. Millions of people around the world own shares directly. However, many millions more have an indirect stake in the stock market through pension schemes, life insurance policies, NIT units, and other mutual funds. All of these, invest in shares traded on the stock market.Today, increasing number of people own shares around the world, while many more invest in pension schemes, have an insurance policy, National Saving Schemes (NSS) or another form of collective savings invested in shares traded in stock markets.However, investing in shares is different from saving in a bank or National Saving Scheme. There is more risk - but there is the opportunity for better reward over the longer term. With deposit accounts, you earn interest on your capital. When you take your cash back, you get back exactly the same amount that you first deposited (plus the interest it has earned). With shares, you may receive dividends but when you sell those shares, you might get back more than you bought them for, which is your reward for taking a risk.Nevertheless, because shares can go up as well as down in value, it is important to understand that taking a risk means you might get back lesser than you had invested initially. You can minimize your risk by investing in different shares or a collective fund. There is, however, the possibility of greater rewards. Funds invested in equities in the long term (five or more years) have outperformed regular saving accounts.You should remember that saving through the stock market should be seen as a long-term investment. Historically, money invested in shares over the long term (ten or more years) has almost always outperformed regular saving accounts.Before investing in stocks and shares, you should understand your own financial position and what you hope to achieve with your investments. Your regular financial obligations should be protected and preparation should be made for unexpected expenses