How to Buy US Stocks in India

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How to Invest in U.S. Stocks in India?:

  • 1

    Firstly, you have to research and compare brokers in India

  • 2

    Register with an international broker by providing your ID and verifying your account

  • 3

    Fund a live trading account to purchase stocks

  • 4

    Find the shares you want to buy, make your selection, and begin trading

Learning how to invest in US stocks in India can be your way to financial freedom for life. Trading in US stocks from India can help traders increase the overall returns of their investment portfolio.

For Indian citizens wondering if they can invest in US stocks in India, the answer is that it is easy, and anyone can do it, regardless of experience. But the question is, "How to invest in US stocks in India?"

This article provides Indian investors with the guide on how to buy stocks in India and the best brokers they need for this endeavor.

Want to invest in US stocks? Open an account at RoboForex!

Is it possible to invest in U.S. stocks from India?

Yes, investors in India can invest in US stocks from India; in fact, investing in the US stock market is recommended by experts. The tax policies are transparent, even though there is no limit on the amount you can invest. The US is home to some of the biggest tech and pharmaceutical companies globally. And investing in stocks in India is done by establishing an offshore trading account with a domestic or international broker.

1. International stock brokers

A brokerage company that is not Indian in origin but allows Indian investors to buy and sell American stocks is known as an international broker. They also accept clients from countries other than India.

Traders can access all the standard ADRs, international mutual funds, and ETFs through an international broker. Furthermore, the majority of these brokers provide access to over 150 markets in various nations using a variety of currencies, allowing for global trading opportunities.

👍 Pros

With international brokers, traders have increased accessibility to important markets (like the EU and the UK) and a market-leading selection of assets

It is up to the trader to compare prices and financial information for foreign stocks, as these brokers provide the tools for it

Some international brokers specialize in international trading and provide real-time news and data on the world's markets

You can access stocks, options, futures, Forex, bonds, and mutual funds from anywhere in the world and the trading tools and analysis you need to increase your profits

👎 Cons

This broker may not be subject to local regulation

Foreign transaction fees can sometimes be significantly higher

2. Local brokers

Using a local broker is another way to invest in stocks in India. A local broker is a Forex broker that is open for trading within the Indian border. They are licensed and governed by the Indian financial authorities and conduct business domestically. These brokers are fully aware of the neighborhood market's dynamics, regulations, and tax ramifications.

Buying, selling, and exchanging securities are all permitted by local brokers, who charge a fee or commission. By bringing buyers and sellers together on a stock exchange, they also make stock market transactions easier.

👍 Pros

Local brokers are knowledgeable about the rules and regulations that are relevant in your jurisdiction

Local brokers offer prompt updates on critical market news, trade executions, and other pertinent information that may influence your investment decisions in India

Local brokers offer specialized services tailored to the neighborhood market

Local stock brokers have in-depth knowledge of regional market conditions, regional industry dynamics and economic trends, and regional regulatory changes

👎 Cons

With a local broker, traders cannot access international markets to investigate emerging markets or diversify their portfolios with stocks from different countries

Again, local brokers lack in-depth global reports, market analysis, or advanced trading tools

How much should I invest?

You can start investing in US stocks in India with 4104.43 Indian rupees. As of the second week of June 2023, this is equivalent to $50 on the currency exchange market. Additionally, this price may decrease or increase, so traders should verify the value of $50 depending on when they plan to invest in US stocks. You can purchase 1-2 inexpensive shares with an investment of $50.

Note:

The lowest amount you can put into American stocks depends on the broker you choose. Because many brokers offer clients a platform to invest in American stocks in India, it's hard to determine which among them is the best. Let's look at the best brokers for US stock investments.

Best brokers to buy US stocks in India

Finding the best brokers should be a top priority if you are seeking how to invest in U.S. stocks in India. This is because only the best stock broker in India can make the process of investing in stocks in India stress-free. Here are the top stock brokers for investors seeking to invest in U.S. stocks in India.

RoboForex

Open an account
Your capital is at risk.

Award-winning broker RoboForex provides access to tens of thousands of investment products. Roboforex serves traders of all experience levels, from newcomers to seasoned veterans, and boasts more than 4.56 million clients from nearly 169 countries. Traders can access a variety of stocks through RoboForex. You can select from more than 3,000 stocks listed on the NASDAQ and the NYSE through this broker.

RoboForex also has economic calendars and analytics centers. The assets that are accessible include indicators, stocks, CFDs, commodities, metals, and ETFs. This broker does not charge commission fees on its most well-known Pro account. It is governed by Belize's Financial Services Commission (FSC).

Due to its low commission costs (starting at $0.0045 per share), spreads that start at 0.01 cents, and wide range of products, traders prefer the cutting-edge R StocksTrader platform. For instance, RoboForex only charges 0.025 USD per share for deposits under $10,000 and 0.009 USD per share for deposits over $10,000.

Traders can access the fastest charts in the industry and the most advanced technical analysis tools from any location using any browser. RoboForex gives you dependable access to trading CFDs on the stocks of the most important US companies. Overall, RoboForex is a reliable broker with cutting-edge trading tools for experienced traders.

Extra features

RoboForex offers a sophisticated copy trading platform (CopyFX)

Leverage is up to 1:20

Integrates MT4/MT5

Over 12.000 trading instruments

Using a touchscreen or "Drag-and-drop" device, placing and managing Stop and Limit orders is always simple

RoboForex makes trading operations more comfortable and time-efficient, allowing traders to enter positions quickly and safely

Zero Commissions on Pro Accounts

Wide Range of Accounts (Including Islamic and Copy)

OctaFX

Open an account
Your capital is at risk.

OctaFX is another excellent broker to consider when investing in stocks in India. This broker has been in operation for more than ten years. And they are a high-risk broker because they are only regulated in one tier-two jurisdiction, Cyprus.

With access to 16 international exchanges and more than 150 stocks, traders can trade stocks without paying fees. With trading ideas, daily updates, weekly forecasts, and third-party content, OctaFX keeps a growing collection of organized research.

With OctaFX, traders can forecast major corporations' performance and profit from changes in their stock prices. You can begin trading on the international stock market, which offers more than 200 different trading instruments. Webinars with experts. 24/7 Customer Support. Award-winning platform.

OctaFX provides a straightforward, affordable MetaTrader platform experience in addition to its proprietary web and social copy-trading platforms.

Key features

150+ stocks on 16 exchanges

200+ trading instruments

Minimum deposit of $25

No commission

Pay no charges for trading or holding leveraged positions overnight

Free leverage up to 1:20

Have your payouts credited as soon as they are available

Rapid deposits and withdrawals

IC Markets

Open an account
Your capital is at risk.
Up to 75.93% of the broker’s non-professional clients incur losses when trading CFDs.

IC Markets is another renowned broker that traders can rely on to buy US stocks. This broker offers online stock trading services and can be the best broker for scalping enthusiasts, automated trading lovers, and beginner traders. While it is renowned for low spreads, IC Markets provides access to financial markets globally. The three American and Australian stock exchanges—Nasdaq, ASX, and NYSE—offer 2,100 stock CFDs through IC Markets.

Key features

2100+ Stocks CFDs

The IC Markets MetaTrader 5 platform, which provides cutting-edge functionalities for novice and experienced traders, is the only place where stocks are available

When a position is hedged, the margin is zero, but it is fixed at 20% for unhedged positions

Leveraged positions held over the weekend incur a 3x financing cost

Although IC Markets is an applaudable option for stock trading, direct stock trading is not supported. It only allows you to trade CFDs.

Best stock trading apps in India compared

Buying US stocks in India presents different benefits to Indian investors. These include growth in capital, dividend payments, portfolio diversification, liquidity, and participation in company ownership. But to enjoy these benefits, you need a top US stockbroker. Here is a quick review of the best stock trading apps for every trader learning how to buy shares in India.

Broker Minimum Deposit Number of Stocks Commission Leverage

RoboForex

$10

Assets for copy trading

3000 stocks, + over 9000 CFDs

Regulator

From $0,009 per lot

Regulator

Up to 1:20

OctaFX

$25

Assets for copy trading

150+ stocks on 16 exchanges

Regulator

Spread based

Regulator

Up to 1:20

IC Markets

$200

Assets for copy trading

2000+

Regulator

Spread based

Regulator

Up to 1:20

How to start trading stock in India?

For those investors seeking to invest in US stocks in India, starting stock trading can be simple and daunting at the same time. How well a trader established themselves in the market over time can influence returns when investing in stocks in India.

In India, traders must first open an account with a local or foreign broker to begin purchasing stocks. If you want to buy stocks that are traded domestically in India, it might be wise to work with a local broker. But you will need a global broker who makes it easy to buy and sell stocks globally if you want to buy foreign stocks.

Below are quick tips and guides on how to invest in US stocks in India:

  • 1

    The first step is to educate yourself on the meaning and operations of the stock market

  • 2

    After conducting the necessary research, learn how to trade shares and the different types of shares

  • 3

    Select a reputable broker and the stocks you want to bu

  • 4

    Next, demand access to price data for the trading pairs you want to use

  • 5

    The following step entails creating a varied trading strategy that complies with rigid trading requirements. Remember to analyze the market before building a trading plan

  • 6

    Select an ETF or share to trade right away, but ensure to check out the costs, commissions, risks, and stocks

  • 7

    Complete the registration process with the broker to open a trading account for shares

  • 8

    Find a stock trading opportunity, opening, monitoring, and closing your first position

Ensure you are trading the intended stock; always double-check the exchange and ticker symbols.

Is Investing in US Stocks worth it?

Yes. Investing in US stocks from India is worth it. Different stocks in industries like technology, finance, automobiles, and gold are available to traders. The US market offers numerous opportunities to invest in leading sectors and aids in portfolio diversification.

Since buying stocks entails investing in the value of the dollar, Indian investors benefit from the rising value of the dollar. Your investment will increase if the value of the dollar relative to the rupee rises.

The S&P 500 stock index is one of the best choices, and professional traders claim that long-term ownership of the S&P 500 index will produce excellent returns. The average historical return on S&P 500 index is 10% per annum. The 500 largest stocks traded on the Nasdaq and the NYSE are tracked by the S&P 500 index, which has an average return of 10%.

What are the best stock trading brokers for beginners in India?

While there are different Forex and stock brokers in India, each has a custom offering that will interest different levels of traders. Some of these brokers' services are specifically for new traders, as the design and environment are simple to understand. However, every novice trader must choose a stock broker that meets different investor expectations.

All financial instruments and markets are accessible through these brokers for investors of all experience levels. Finding a platform that will give you the most options is therefore important if this is your first time investing.

The best stock brokers provide traders with copy-trading services and excellent educational materials. These stock brokers are unquestionably the best, so an Indian investor looking to start trading stocks should pick them. When investing in US stocks in India, you should think about using top stock trading platforms like RoboForex and eToro.

Can I trade with an international stock broker?

Yes. Trading with an international stock broker if you reside in India is possible. However, traders must be aware that any broker they select must be subject to local or international regulation. As a result, confirm that the broker is overseen by credible financial regulators or institutions. If you decide to trade with an international broker, check if they accept Indian clients and support the buying and selling of international stocks.

Do I pay taxes for stock trading in India?

Yes, stock traders pay tax in India. And this is following the act that states that any income earned in India, whether directly or indirectly, is subject to taxation. But the two types of taxes that come with stock trading are the long-term capital gains tax and the short-term capital gains tax.

Stock sales that generate profits within a year are subject to short-term capital gains tax. Long-term capital gains refer to stock held for longer than one year. Profits are taxed at the appropriate slab rates (10% to 30%).

At the time of the sale of stocks, investors are required to pay securities transaction tax (STT). STT is a fee of 0.1% of the total transaction value that is applied to all trades conducted on Indian stock exchanges.

FAQs

What are the best platforms to invest in U.S. stocks?

Consider using reputable stock trading platforms like RoboForex and eToro when investing in American stocks in India. They provide traders with services like copy trading and other incentives, making them the best stock brokers for new investors.

How to trade U.S. stocks in India?

Firstly, you have to research and compare brokers in India, register with a broker, find a live trading account, purchase stocks, select the shares you want to invest in, and start trading.

Can you buy U.S. stocks in India?

Yes. If you want to buy stocks that are traded domestically in India, it might be wise to register with a local broker. But you will need a global broker who makes it easy to buy and sell stocks globally if you want to buy foreign stocks.

You can buy and hold U.S. stocks in your portfolio through direct equities, ETFs, and mutual funds.

Do I pay taxes for stock trading in India?

Yes, stock traders pay tax in India. And this is following the act that states that any income earned in India, whether directly or indirectly, is subject to taxation. But the two types of taxes that come with stock trading are the long-term capital gains tax and the short-term capital gains tax.

Team that worked on the article

Peter Emmanuel Chijioke
Contributor

Peter Emmanuel Chijioke is a professional personal finance, Forex, crypto, blockchain, NFT, and Web3 writer and a contributor to the Traders Union website. As a computer science graduate with a robust background in programming, machine learning, and blockchain technology, he possesses a comprehensive understanding of software, technologies, cryptocurrency, and Forex trading.

Having skills in blockchain technology and over 7 years of experience in crafting technical articles on trading, software, and personal finance, he brings a unique blend of theoretical knowledge and practical expertise to the table. His skill set encompasses a diverse range of personal finance technologies and industries, making him a valuable asset to any team or project focused on innovative solutions, personal finance, and investing technologies.

Dr. BJ Johnson
Dr. BJ Johnson
Developmental English Editor

Dr. BJ Johnson is a PhD in English Language and an editor with over 15 years of experience. He earned his degree in English Language in the U.S and the UK. In 2020, Dr. Johnson joined the Traders Union team. Since then, he has created over 100 exclusive articles and edited over 300 articles of other authors.

Mirjan Hipolito
Cryptocurrency and stock expert

Mirjan Hipolito is a journalist and news editor at Traders Union. She is an expert crypto writer with five years of experience in the financial markets. Her specialties are daily market news, price predictions, and Initial Coin Offerings (ICO).