Negative impactCorporate Action
ETMarkets Smart Talk| F&O STT, UPI charges and trading costs: Sandeep Neema on the hidden drag on retail returns
Economic Times 2 hrs ago·28 Sept 2026, 4:10 am
In this Smart Talk segment, Sandeep Neema, Director and Fund Manager at PL Asset Management, highlights that retail investors often overlook the cumulative impact of transaction costs. These expenses, which include Securities Transaction Tax (STT) on F&O trades and fees for payment gateways like UPI, can significantly erode potential profits over time.
The expert emphasizes that frequent trading, or high portfolio churn, is a major drag on returns. Instead of chasing short-term gains, Neema suggests that a disciplined, long-term approach is increasingly being rewarded in the current market environment.
For investors, the key takeaway is to focus on the quality of holdings rather than the frequency of transactions. By minimizing unnecessary costs and sticking to a strategy, one can better preserve capital and improve overall performance.
Key takeaways
- Category: Corporate Action.
- AI reads the tone as negative (potentially bearish) for the stock.
Why it matters
A routine update. The tone is negative — watch for downside reaction. Use the price and stock snapshot to gauge how the market is responding.
