Aniket PujariInvestment word of the day: One key measure to understand a company’s value is market capitalisation—it reveals how the market values a business at any given moment. Whether an experienced investor or a newcomer, market cap is an essential guide to assessing a company’s growth potential.
What is market capitalisation?
Market capitalisation or market cap is the total value of a company’s outstanding shares. It highlights the size, value, and financial health of a company in the stock market.
How market cap is calculated
Market cap is calculated by multiplying the current stock price by the total outstanding shares.
The formula to calculate market cap is — Market cap = Current stock price * total outstanding shares.
For instance, if a company has 50,000 shares, with a closing price of Rs100 per share, then its total market cap would be — 50,000 * 100 = ₹50,00,000. Therefore, the total value of the company stands at ₹50 lakh.
Significance of market cap
Market capitalisation is an important metric in the stock market as it gives a clear understanding of a company’s size, value, and stability. Investors use market cap to analyse the relative risk of investing in a company. It acts as a guide for investment strategies, a metric to judge a company’s financial performance and future outlook of the business. Additionally, it is a universal metric to compare companies and make informed investment decisions.
Companies based on market cap
Large-cap companies
Companies with a market cap between ₹7,000 crore and ₹20,000 crore are classified as large-cap companies. They are typically considered to be stable and, hence, popular among conservative investors who avoid taking risks. However, the returns from such companies might be relatively lower. Mostly, these companies have crossed a certain growth metric, and hence, a drastic change in the stock prices is unlikely.
Mid-cap companies
Mid-cap companies have a market capitalisation between ₹500 crore and ₹7,000 crore. These companies have reached a particular level of growth but have further scope to progress. Investing in such companies may be relatively riskier than investing in large-cap companies, but the returns can be higher.
Small-cap companies
These companies have a market cap of up to ₹500 crore. Small-cap companies are in the process of registering growth; hence, the risks associated with them are relatively high.
The choice of investing in any large-cap, mid-cap or small-cap companies will depend on an investor’s requirements and risk tolerance. Market cap is a metric for investors to analyse and compare various companies and invest accordingly.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice; please consult a qualified financial advisor before making any financial decisions.
