Women's day 2025: As stock markets stay in red, doubts continue to loom across D-street. Uncertainty owing to foreign capital outflow, turbulent macros and Trump's tariff are altogether weighing heavily on investor sentiment. In such tumultuous times, retail investors, especially women investors, often faces hurdles around how to go forward with their investments.
In an exclusive interview with Outlook Business, Palka Arora Chopra, Director, Master Capital Services talks about how women can make empowered investment decisions while debunking some common market-related myths.
While young investors continue to flock to the stock market, female participation, though rising, still lags behind. Do you see this changing in the near future?
Yes, there is a significant shift in the landscape of investing, and female participation in the markets is steadily gaining momentum. Several factors are driving this change, including increased financial literacy, easy and widespread access to investment and trading platforms, along with a growing focus on women’s financial independence. Though female participation still lags behind, it will improve with time. In fact, it is already increasing, especially with digital investment tools and simplified trading interfaces that are overcoming traditional barriers to investing.
What are some of the biggest myths about women and investing that you’d like to debunk?
Even though women’s participation in the financial markets has been increasing, several myths persist. One of these is that women are risk-averse investors, but the reality is that they are risk-conscious. According to studies, women tend to take calculated risks, focusing on long-term growth rather than speculative short-term gains. Another myth is that women lack financial knowledge, which is untrue given how women are increasingly taking control of their financial future. The growing presence of women in the financial landscape and digital adoption has surged from 14% to 55% in just 5 years.
A few more myths include that women prefer only traditional investments like gold and FDs. However, if we look at the data, the number of women investors in the Indian mutual fund industry grew more than 2.5 times in 2024, with tier-4 cities witnessing over 140% growth. In tier-3 cities, women are increasingly investing in equity, which shows a shift in mindset.
What advice would you give to women who want to take charge of their personal finances but find investing intimidating?
The financial markets can seem intimidating, but with the right knowledge and advice, financial independence becomes an empowering goal. Women can start by investing small amounts—many believe they need large sums to begin, but even Rs 500 per month through SIPs can grow over time.
With 72% of women already making independent investment choices, it’s a trend worth joining. Another key step is defining your financial goals and understanding your risk tolerance, which helps in making informed investment decisions. Leveraging digital platforms is also important, as the number of women using these platforms has risen from 14% to 55% in just five years, making investing more accessible than ever. By taking these steps, women can confidently navigate their financial journey and work toward financial independence.
What’s the one piece of financial advice you wish more women knew?
I Will keep it short and specific, Investing isn’t just about growing wealth—it’s about securing independence and making empowered choices. The earlier you start, the more you benefit from compounding, and the easier it becomes to achieve financial freedom.
As markets continue to trade in a pure bloodbath, which investment strategy should women adopt in the upcoming financial year?
The current state of the market can feel unsettling, but it also presents opportunities for investors. The key is to avoid panic-driven decisions and remain disciplined. A systematic investment approach, such as SIPs in mutual funds, can help average out costs and reduce risk over time. This market environment offers a chance to accumulate high-quality stocks at attractive valuations. Investors should focus on fundamentally strong companies with solid balance sheets and long-term growth potential. Diversifying across asset classes—equities, debt and commodities—can further help manage risk.
It is important to understand that staying invested with a goal-based approach rather than reacting to short-term volatility will ensure financial growth and security, even in uncertain times.
What’s your advice for women looking to build long-term wealth via equities in the current market scenario?
The key to building long-term wealth is consistency and patience. Staying invested in fundamentally strong stocks and diversified equity funds can generate significant returns over time irrespective of market downturns. One can’t time the market so focus on quality over quick gains and invest in companies after proper research and ofcourse, one can always take help from a good professional financial advisor. Stay informed, set clear financial goals, and invest with a long-term perspective.
With increasing market volatility, how should retail investors—especially women—adjust their portfolios?
Market volatility for retail investors must be seen as an opportunity rather than a setback. Diversification is key—spread investments across equities, mutual funds, fixed-income instruments, ETFs, etc to balance risk. Instead of reacting to short-term market swings, focus on long-term financial goals. Continue with SIPs to take advantage of rupee cost averaging and accumulate quality stocks at lower prices during market dips. Review and rebalance your portfolio periodically to ensure it aligns with your risk appetite and financial objectives. Most importantly, stay patient and avoid emotional decision-making.
