Active Stocks
Thu Mar 28 2024 15:59:33
  1. Tata Steel share price
  2. 155.90 2.00%
  1. ICICI Bank share price
  2. 1,095.75 1.08%
  1. HDFC Bank share price
  2. 1,448.20 0.52%
  1. ITC share price
  2. 428.55 0.13%
  1. Power Grid Corporation Of India share price
  2. 277.05 2.21%
Business News/ Money / Calculators/  DYK: Difference between bulk and block deals
BackBack

DYK: Difference between bulk and block deals

A bulk or block deal can be used as just one of the parameters when investing in a stock.

Pradeep Gaur/MintPremium
Pradeep Gaur/Mint

Block and bulk deals happen regularly on stock exchanges. You would have noticed that due to such transactions, the share price go up or down. However, did you know that there is a difference between the two even though the terminology used may seem to mean the same?

Bulk deals

A bulk deal is said to have happened if a single investor in a single or multiple transactions has either purchased or sold more than 0.5% of a company’s equity shares. A bulk deal can be done any time within the trading hours. Bulk deals are market driven. The broker, who facilitates the trade, has to provide details of the trade to the stock exchanges whenever it happens.

Block deals

A block deal happens through a separate window which is provided by stock exchanges. This window is open for only 35 minutes. A block deal happens when two parties agree to buy or sell shares at an agreed price among themselves.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) rules state that block deal orders should be placed for a price not exceeding +1% to -1% of the previous day’s closing or the current market price.

Sebi also states that a block deal is a single transaction of a minimum quantity of 500,000 shares or a minimum value of 5 crore and is done between two parties.

Who can go for such deals?

Taking into considering the percentage of shares and the amount required to carry out such transactions, retail investors cannot participate in such transactions.

It is institutional investors who participate in these transactions. These include mutual funds, financial institutions, insurance companies, banks and foreign institutional investors. Promoters also use this window to deal with issues related to cross-holding.

What does it mean for an investor?

It is often seen that investors, even retail participants, look at block and bulk deals as investment cues. However, one should keep in mind that a block or bulk deal in a particular scrip doesn’t necessarily mean that the stock price of the specific stock will increase.

However in case of bulk deals happening on a continuous basis in a share with high volumes, it could be a sign of appreciation in price in the near future. It could also be that it is an operator driven counter.

So, understand the profiles of the institutions involved in the deal. A bulk or block deal can be used as just one of the parameters when investing in a stock. Look at other factors such as a company’s fundamentals, its performance compared with peers, and its future plans.

Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!

Catch all the Business News, Market News, Breaking News Events and Latest News Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates.
More Less
Published: 24 Jun 2013, 06:54 PM IST
Next Story footLogo
Recommended For You
Switch to the Mint app for fast and personalized news - Get App