Quick Summary
A financial market connects people who have surplus money with people or institutions that need money. Savers become investors, and companies or governments obtain funds for productive use. In Commerce answers, remember the flow: savings -> investment -> production -> economic growth.
Meaning
Financial markets deal in financial assets, not ordinary goods. These assets may represent ownership, debt, or a short-term claim on money.
Examples:
- shares
- debentures
- government securities
- treasury bills
- commercial paper
- certificates of deposit
Main Functions
1. Mobilisation of savings Idle household savings are channelled into productive investment.
2. Capital formation Businesses obtain funds for expansion, machinery, technology, and working capital.
3. Liquidity Investors can convert many securities into cash through organised markets.
4. Price discovery Demand and supply help determine the market value of financial assets.
5. Reduction of transaction cost Buyers and sellers meet through organised systems, intermediaries, and standard procedures.
Classification of Financial Markets
| Basis | Types |
|---|---|
| By maturity | Money market and capital market |
| By issue of securities | Primary market and secondary market |
| By organisation | Organised market and unorganised market |
Money Market
- Deals in short-term funds
- Maturity is generally up to one year
- Used for working-capital and liquidity needs
Capital Market
- Deals in medium-term and long-term funds
- Includes shares, debentures, and long-term securities
- Supports fixed-capital formation and business expansion
Financial Market vs Product Market
| Financial Market | Product Market |
|---|---|
| Deals in financial assets | Deals in physical goods and services |
| Transfers funds | Transfers products |
| Example: shares, bonds | Example: rice, cloth, machinery |
| Main participants are investors, firms, banks, government | Main participants are producers, traders, consumers |
Important Questions
One Mark
1. Define financial market. 2. Name the two major segments of the financial market. 3. Which market deals in short-term funds?
Short Answer
1. State any three functions of financial markets. 2. Distinguish between money market and capital market. 3. Why is liquidity important in a financial market?
Long Answer
1. Explain the functions of financial markets. 2. Describe the classification of financial markets with examples. 3. Explain how financial markets help economic development.
Common Mistakes
- Writing that a financial market sells physical goods.
- Confusing money market with capital market.
- Listing examples without explaining functions.
- Using the words savings and investment as if they mean the same thing.
Revision Checklist
- [ ] Meaning of financial market
- [ ] Five functions with short explanation
- [ ] Money market vs capital market
- [ ] Primary market vs secondary market
- [ ] One real example for each classification