Pledged shares refer to stocks that you, as a shareholder, use as a security to get a loan. These shares are pledged with a stock broker or a financial institution. If you can’t meet the repayment terms, the right to sell these pledged shares goes to the lender, typically the stock broker or the institution from which you’ve taken the loan.
Contents:
- What is stock pledging?
- How Pledging Works?
- How To Pledge Shares?
- Haircut In Stock Market
- Features of Pledging Shares
- Difference Between Pledge And Mortgage
- Pledged Shares – Quick Summary
- Pledged Shares Meaning – FAQs
What is Stock Pledging?
Stock pledging is a process where you, as a shareholder, pledge shares to a lending institution, such as a stockbroker, to secure a loan. Despite pledging the shares, you remain the owner. However, they’re hypothecated to the lender for the loan period.
Let’s say you own shares of a company, XYZ Ltd. If you need funds but don’t want to sell our shares, we can pledge these shares with a stockbroker. The broker then provides you a loan equivalent to a certain percentage of the current market value of the pledged shares.
How Pledging Works?
When it comes to pledging shares, you offer your shares as collateral to a financial institution, usually a stock broker, to obtain a loan. While the shares continue to belong to you, you can’t sell them until the loan is repaid.
For instance, assume you have a significant stake in ABC Limited. You need a loan but don’t wish to sell your shares. In this case, you can pledge your shares to a stock broker. The broker then grants you a loan equivalent to 50-70% of the market value of these shares. This percentage, often known as a ‘haircut,’ is determined by the broker based on the volatility and liquidity of the shares.
How To Pledge Shares?
General Requirements:
To pledge shares of a listed company, the shareholder needs to open a demat account. The shares that are being held must be in dematerialised form, hence the shareholder must open a demat account with a depository participant (DP) to pledge them.
How To Pledge Shares with Alice Blue:
Step 1: Visit our Website and click on login on the top right corner of the page.
Step 2: Click on “Backoffice BOT” from the drop-down menu. You will be redirected to a new page.
Step 3: Log in with your credentials.
Step 4: Once you are logged in, click on “Portfolio” → “Holding” → “Pledge”
Step 5: Tick the scrip which you would like to pledge. Then click on “Pledge” in the right side corner of the page.
Step 6: Enter / Edit the quantity which you want to pledge.
Step 7: Then click on submit and follow the steps to proceed further.
You can raise the ticket from Alice Blue, if you have any doubts.
Alice Blue’s pledging fees are very low. No matter the number of stocks pledged, each buy or sell order will incur a fee of 15 + GST per scrip. Your debit balance will accrue interest at 24% per annum, with interest being deducted from your account daily.
Haircut In Stock Market
In the financial market, a ‘haircut’ refers to the difference between the market value of an asset used as loan collateral and the amount of the loan. The haircut reflects the lender’s perceived risk in lending against that collateral.
For example, if Ms. Patel pledges shares with a market value of ₹1,00,000, the bank might lend her only ₹70,000 against these shares. The ₹30,000 difference, or 30% of the market value, is the ‘haircut.’
Features of Pledging Shares
Pledging shares involves specific traits:
- Collateral: Shares are kept as collateral against a loan. Despite the shares being pledged, their ownership remains with the borrower.
- Loan Value: The loan value is a determined percentage of the pledged shares’ market value, usually defined by the lender.
- Margin Call: If the market value of the pledged shares falls significantly, the lender may issue a ‘margin call,’ requiring the borrower to deposit additional funds or securities.
- Borrower’s Risk: If unable to meet the margin call, the borrower risks the lender selling the shares.
- Right to Benefits: The borrower, despite the pledge, retains the right to dividends and voting rights.
Difference Between Pledge and Mortgage
The main difference between a pledge and a mortgage pertains to the possession of the asset. In a pledge, the asset (shares) is transferred to the lender as security, while in a mortgage, the borrower retains possession of the property.
| Parameter | Pledge | Mortgage |
| Possession of Asset | Lender | Borrower |
| Type of Asset | Movable | Immovable |
| Example | Shares | Real Estate |
| Risk | Asset can be sold by lender if borrower defaults | Legal process required to take possession of the asset |
| Transfer of Ownership | No transfer of ownership to the lender | Ownership transfer to the lender in case of default |
| Purpose | Typically used for short-term financing | Primarily used for long-term financing and property purchases |
| Registration Requirement | Not typically registered with any authority | Mortgage is registered with relevant authorities |
| Repayment Terms | Usually repaid upon the settlement of the loan | Repaid through regular installments over a specified period |
| Impact on Credit Score | A default may impact credit score, but no impact on creditworthiness | Default can significantly impact creditworthiness |
| Cost | Generally lower cost compared to a mortgage | May involve higher costs, such as appraisal and legal fees |
| Tax Benefits | Limited tax benefits | Potential tax benefits on interest payments and property taxes |
| Availability | Available for various assets, including securities and commodities | Primarily available for real estate properties |
We hope that you are clear about the topic. But there is more to learn and explore when it comes to the stock market, and hence we bring you the important topics and areas that you should know:
Pledged Shares – Quick Summary
- Pledged shares are equity shares that a shareholder provides as collateral to secure a loan.
- Stock pledging refers to using shares owned by an individual as security against a loan.
- The pledging process involves keeping shares as collateral, determining loan value based on share market value, and potentially facing a margin call if share value decreases.
- In stock markets, a ‘haircut’ refers to the difference between the market value of an asset used as loan collateral and the amount of that loan.
- Pledging shares has several unique features, including maintaining dividends and voting rights despite the pledge.
- A key difference between pledging and mortgage is asset possession; in pledging, the lender possesses the asset, while in a mortgage, the borrower retains it.
- Invest in the share market with Alice Blue. They provide Margin Trade Funding facility, where you can use 4x margin to buy stocks i.e. you can buy stocks worth ₹ 10000 at just ₹ 2500.
Pledged Shares Meaning – FAQs
1. What Are Pledged Shares?
Pledged shares are essentially shares that shareholders offer as collateral to secure a loan. They remain in the shareholder’s name, but the lender holds the rights until the loan is repaid.
2. What Are The Rules For Pledging Shares?
The rules include the shareholder and the lender agreeing on the loan percentage of the pledged shares’ market value. The loan-to-value ratio can differ between lenders, which will be part of the pledging agreement. In addition, the shares are not transferable while they are pledged.
3. Can I sell shares if they are pledged?
The shares pledged cannot be sold while they are under pledge. To sell these shares, the shareholder needs to unpledge them, which often involves repaying the loan or satisfying the margin call.
4. What are the disadvantages of pledging shares?
The disadvantages of pledging shares include potential margin calls if the market value of the shares falls. Moreover, if a borrower defaults on the loan, the lender has the right to sell the pledged shares to recover the loan amount.
5. What are the benefits of pledging shares?
Pledging shares allows shareholders to leverage their holdings to secure a loan, while still retaining voting rights and entitlement to dividends. However, this comes with risks and should be done with due caution.
6. How many days can I pledge shares?
The duration of share pledging depends on the terms set by the lender. It can range from a few days to several years, based on the agreement.
7. Is pledging of shares interest-free?
No, pledging shares typically involves an interest cost. The borrower must pay interest on the loan amount the lender provides against the pledged shares.
8. Do we get a dividend on pledged shares?
Yes, as a shareholder, you are entitled to receive dividends on pledged shares unless specified otherwise in the agreement with the lender.
9. Is pledging of shares good or bad?
The decision to pledge shares depends on individual circumstances and financial goals. Pledging shares can provide liquidity for short-term funding needs, but it carries risks, such as potential loss of ownership in case of default. It is advisable to evaluate the pros and cons and seek professional advice before deciding.
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