## EPF: Employees' Provident Fund **EPF** stands for **Employees' Provident Fund**. It's a mandatory retirement savings scheme in India for salaried employees. The scheme is regulated by the Employees' Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) under the Ministry of Labour and Employment. ### How does EPF work? * **Contributions:** Both the employee and employer contribute a fixed percentage of the employee's basic salary and dearness allowance to the EPF account. * **Investment:** The collected funds are invested in government securities, which generally offer a stable and decent rate of return. * **Benefits:** The accumulated amount, along with the interest earned, is paid to the employee upon retirement or can be partially withdrawn under certain conditions. ### Components of EPF contributions * **Employee's Contribution:** Currently, 12% of the basic salary and dearness allowance. * **Employer's Contribution:** * 12% of the basic salary and dearness allowanc
Here's a basic understanding of the stock market: A. What is it? The stock market is a network of exchanges where investors buy and sell shares of ownership (stocks) in publicly traded companies. Think of it as a giant marketplace where companies raise money by selling ownership stakes, and investors buy those stakes hoping they'll increase in value. B. Key players: Companies: They issue shares to raise capital for growth and operations. Investors: Individuals or institutions buying and selling shares. Stock exchanges: Platforms like the NYSE or Nasdaq where shares are traded. Brokers and advisors: Help investors buy and sell shares. C. How it works: Companies publicly sell shares through an initial public offering (IPO) . Investors buy shares hoping they'll rise in price, allowing them to sell for a profit (capital gains). The price of a stock fluctuates based on supply and demand, influenced by company performance, economic factors, and market