Archive · 4 Oct 2025
Retail Investors Borrow Heavily for Underperforming Blue Chips
Imagine people borrowing money from their brokers to buy stocks.
This is happening in India with the MTF.
Investors are hoping that shares like Jio Financial Services and Tata Motors will go up in value, even though they have gone down recently.
However, experts are warning that this could be risky.
If stock prices drop further, investors might have to pay more money, and if the stock doesn’t recover quickly, they could lose money.
While margin loans can offer cheap borrowing rates if they rise in value, holding for extended periods is risky if prices go down.
Retail investors are increasingly using margin trading to buy underperforming blue-chip stocks.
The total value of MTF book surged to approximately ₹99,000 crore by October 1, 2024.
Major stocks bought using MTF include Jio Financial Services, Tata Consultancy Services, and Tata Motors.
Market experts warn against using margin loans for stocks that have been declining.
Investors typically hold these stocks for 2-3 months, taking on interest rates of 10-12% per annum.
- Who
- Retail investors and stockbrokers
- What
- Increased borrowing by retail investors using Margin Trading Facility (MTF) to buy underperforming stocks
- When
- Over the past year, particularly by October 2024.
- Where
- India
- Why
- Investors expect the stocks to rebound, despite price declines.
Risks of MTF Investments
Potential Benefits of MTF
Risk Assessment
Risks of MTF Investments
Experts warn MTF exposure towards nonperforming stocks is unsustainable. Falling share prices trigger margin calls where traders either close the position or infuse further money, resulting in losses
Potential Benefits of MTF
Investors use MTF in hopes the stock rises, and short holding periods offer the potential of a return greater than the interest.
- MTF Book Value (Oct 1, 2024)
- ₹99,000 crore
- MTF Book Value (April 7, 2024)
- ₹68,004 crore
- Nifty 50 Decline (Past Year)
- 1.4%
- Jio Financial Services Decline (Past Year)
- 13%
- Tata Consultancy Services Decline (Past Year)
- 31%
- Tata Motors Decline (Past Year)
- 22%
- Reliance Industries Decline (Past Year)
- 3%
- Margin Loan Interest Rates
- 10-12% per annum
Sources
YES Bank, Suzlon, Tata Motors, Vodafone Idea: How retail favs fared in 2025
Kotak Bank tops Nifty EPS upgrades in Sept; ONGC, Tata Motors, RIL, Trent lead cuts
GST reforms, festive demand fuel record sales for Maruti, Hyundai and others