Market capitalization (or market cap) is a way to measure the total value of a company. It’s calculated by multiplying the current share price by the total number of outstanding shares of the company.
In simple terms, market capitalization tells you how big a company is in terms of its value in the stock market.
Formula:
Market Capitalization=Share Price×Total Number of Shares\text{Market Capitalization} = \text{Share Price} \times \text{Total Number of Shares}
Example:
If a company has 10 million shares, and each share is worth ₹100, the market capitalization would be: ₹100×10,000,000=₹1,000,000,000 (or ₹100 crore)₹100 \times 10,000,000 = ₹1,000,000,000 \text{ (or ₹100 crore)}
Market Capitalization Ranges in India
- Large-Cap:
- Value: Companies with a market cap of over ₹20,000 crore.
- Examples: Established companies like Reliance Industries, TCS, and HDFC Bank fall into this category.
- Characteristics: These companies are generally well-established, have a stable performance record, and are considered safer investments.
- Mid-Cap:
- Value: Companies with a market cap between ₹5,000 crore and ₹20,000 crore.
- Examples: Companies like MRF, Amara Raja Batteries, or Page Industries.
- Characteristics: These companies are typically in a growth phase, with higher potential for returns but also higher risk compared to large-caps.
- Small-Cap:
- Value: Companies with a market cap below ₹5,000 crore.
- Examples: Smaller or newer companies with growth potential, like Balaji Amines or Gujarat Fluorochemicals.
- Characteristics: Small-cap companies carry higher risk and volatility, but they can offer substantial growth opportunities.
In summary: Market capitalization helps you understand how big or small a company is in the stock market. In India, large-cap companies are valued over ₹20,000 crore, mid-cap between ₹5,000 crore and ₹20,000 crore, and small-cap below ₹5,000 crore.