An over the counter (OTC) market is a place that allows people to trade in assets, like stocks and bonds, by directly dealing with each other. In other words, an OTC market allows trades to happen without the intervention of a formal exchange like the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) or the National Stock Exchange (NSE).
Hence, it is a decentralized market, where trades between two parties are often facilitated by broker-dealers. There is no physical trading floor or a centralized regulatory framework in an OTC market.
The most common type of securities that are traded in an OTC market is unlisted stocks that are not allowed to trade on major exchanges. Small companies that find it very tough to meet the requirements of a formal exchange are able to sell their stocks in an OTC market.
As there is limited regulatory oversight in an OTC market, trading here can be risky. If you are keen on this topic, do read this blog, as it discusses various related aspects, like the examples of over the counter market in India, how such markets work, and their risks and limitations.
Advantages and Disadvantages of OTC Trading
Before trading in OTC markets, it is important to understand the benefits and limitations of such markets. So, please read the following text:
Advantages of OTC Trading
a) Allows small companies to raise capital: OTC markets often allow small and emerging companies, which are not able to list themselves on a major exchange, to raise capital. Besides, OTC markets require firms to meet fewer regulatory requirements than a traditional exchange. At times, firms that raise capital in an OTC market can provide investors with opportunities to earn considerable returns. That said, investing in such companies can be really risky.
b) Flexibility in trading: Compared to a major exchange, an OTC market could provide a greater degree of flexibility. In an OTC market, transactions could be customized to meet the requirements of traders in terms of settlement terms or a trade’s size. Such flexibility can be of value to institutional investors or to those who trade huge blocks of securities.
Disadvantages of OTC Trading
a) Higher possibility of a fraud: OTC markets do not have strict listing regulations in terms of financial stability and corporate governance practices like traditional exchanges. Fewer regulations make it easier for fraudulent companies to raise capital in OTC markets. Hence, investors need to be careful. Such markets often provide a breeding ground for pump-and-dump schemes. So, those who intend to buy or sell a security in such a market should find trustworthy OTC brokers in India.
b) Poor liquidity: Often, there are insufficient buyers or sellers for securities traded in an OTC market. Hence, if you purchase such a security, it is likely that you may not find a buyer easily. So, exiting a position could be extremely difficult.
c) Low transparency: Firms whose securities trade in an OTC market are not expected to disclose the kind of financial and operational data as those firms that are listed on a traditional exchange. Hence, transparency tends to be low in OTC markets.
How OTC Markets Work?
The manner in which OTC markets work is considerably different from that of a traditional stock exchange. In an OTC market, buyers and sellers of a security deal with each other, often with the help of a broker or a dealer. These dealers use a phone, an email, or various kinds of online platforms to communicate, instead of going through a central exchange.
If someone intends to purchase or sell a security in an OTC market, he should first contact a dealer, who in turn offers a price. A trade occurs when both parties agree on a price. After buying a security, a dealer holds it in his inventory and sets his prices depending upon the forces of demand and supply.
Assets that cannot meet the strict conditions of a formal exchange often trade in an OTC market. Similarly, small companies that cannot list on a traditional exchange sell their securities through an OTC market.
While trading in an OTC market can be flexible, it is also considerably riskier than traditional or a formal exchange. This is because an OTC market is less transparent and less regulated than a traditional exchange. Hence, if you still want to trade in such a market, you should find reliable OTC brokers in India.
Examples of Over the Counter Market Securities
Many securities are traded in OTC markets. For example, over the counter market stocks of small companies that cannot be listed on a formal exchange often trade in an OTC market. Besides, networks of banks often trade currencies in an OTC market.
Moreover, cryptocurrencies like Ethereum and Bitcoin trade in OTC markets, which allow traders to negotiate directly with each other. Besides, it helps them keep the details of their deals private.
A lot of complex derivatives which require flexibility and customization, like mortgage-backed securities and swaps, trade in OTC markets. Because such derivatives are often not standardized agreements, they find it tough to trade on a formal exchange. So, they trade in an OTC market.