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What are fractional shares in US stock market? How to buy them?

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March 30, 2023

Summary

What’s Inside

While investing in a US blue-chip company seems exciting, the prices of these shares can damper your plans. With fractional shares, you can stake out a part of the FAANG stocks and diversify your portfolio.

The meaning of fractional shares is simple: investors purchase a part or portion of a single share instead of the whole share. This makes the investment affordable while also allowing you to build your portfolio and make the most of your investment.

Decoding Fractional Shares

While less than a full share, fractional shares work like whole shares bringing you the same percentage of gains or losses as whole shares. You are also entitled to dividend payments from fractional shares. However, these dividends will be proportional to the invested amount.

Let’s say the XYZ blue-chip stock is trading for $200. You have $100, so buying a whole share is not possible. Instead, spending $20, you purchase 1/10 of a XYZ share with fractional investing. If the share’s price rises by 5% to $210, your holding will also grow by 5% to $22.05. Similarly, if the dividend declared is $5/share, you will be entitled to a payout of $0.5 on each share.

How to Buy Fractional Shares from India?

While you cannot buy fractional shares in India, a few platforms like Stockal and Fi Money offer this service for US stock investments. If you wish to buy fractional shares from India, here’s how to go about it:

1. Open an overseas trading account with the right brokerage firm

Very few online brokerage platforms and firms with foreign ties offer fractional investment. Research the options available and then take a call.

2. Complete the KYC process.

The online KYC process is pretty straightforward. Keep documents, like your PAN Card, handy for upload and verification.

3. Add Funds.

The verification usually takes about a day or two, and once done, you can start depositing funds into the account.

4. Start Selecting Fractional Shares.

Currently, most brokerage firms offering investment in fractional shares have a limited list of companies. However, most include the big-tech FAANG companies and major US players.

5. Determine the amount you want to invest in it.

Decide on the investment amount, keeping the conversion rate and fees in mind.

Jumping on the Fractional Trading Bandwagon

Fractional shares are a boon for most investors and serve as a great way to ease into the US stock market. With this investment option, you can own shares of companies that would otherwise be beyond your affordability threshold. Not just that, it also helps diversify your portfolio instead of spending the majority of it on a single stock.

With Fi Money, you can start investing in fractional shares from as little as $5, that too, without any brokerage charges. From Apple and Microsoft to Netflix and Uber, you can stake out a part of the top US companies with Fi’s fractional investment feature. All you have to do is create a paperless account in minutes and start investing in record time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does NYSE allow fractional shares?

No. Fractional shares don’t trade openly on the NYSE. To buy or sell them, you will have to go through a brokerage firm that offers this service. Through these brokerage firms, you can buy fractional shares of select stocks listed on the NYSE.

What are fractional shares in the USA?

In the US, fractional investing refers to the act of buying a portion or part of a whole share. This dollar-amount-based investing strategy is popular among investors, allowing them to invest in top companies without toeing the budget line.

Does India allow fractional share buying?

No. As of now, India does not allow fractional shares. However, few online investment platforms allow Indian investors to own fractional US shares.

Disclaimer

Investment and securities are subject to market risks. Please read all the related documents carefully before investing. The contents of this article are for informational purposes only, and not to be taken as a recommendation to buy or sell securities, mutual funds, or any other financial products.
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