Radhika Gupta, CEO of Edelweiss Mutual Fund, recently expressed concerns via X about young people funding their lavish lifestyles through risky investments.
"I have seen people in their 20s saying they don't need to work, because they are busy doing F&O. Young women who say their lifestyle and handbags are funded by trading gains," she wrote.
She said the Economic Survey 2023-24 highlights exactly that and called for action to be taken as it’s hazardous for individuals as well as the economy.
Mrs Gupta added, "The Economic Survey highlights this in some very strong language. Other regulators have also rightly and repeatedly warned us about this."
The insurance company CEO posted a screenshot from the survey which revealed the following points:
A significant rise in retail investors' activity in India's capital markets, with 9.2 crore unique tax IDs on the National Stock Exchange as of FY24, up from 2.7 crore in FY19.
Many young investors are now participating in derivatives trading, which carries both potential gains and substantial risks. The survey warns that significant stock market downturns could lead to substantial losses for retail investors using derivatives, potentially discouraging their future market participation and impacting the overall economy.
Social Media Reaction:
Mrs Gupta’s post is getting mixed responses from online users.
One user wrote, “Government is worried about derivatives but not worried about online gaming platforms which are nothing but casinos !! People loose more money on that platforms then stock exchanges!”
Another user commented, “20-25 year olds are talking about crores they have made with trading where they don’t feel the need to ever work. This is all on YouTube podcasts peddling fire and financial freedom to people in their 20s
Something is seriously wrong when there is such a dearth of jobs on one side and educated youngsters entering the workforce “
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