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Stock Market Sectors

Explore the major sectors in the Indian and global stock markets, and understand how sector-wise categorisation helps in stock evaluation and analysis.

The stock market is broadly divided into sectors that group companies based on their core business activities. Understanding these sectors is vital for investors as it allows for a more structured approach to analysing stocks, comparing similar businesses, and making informed decisions. In the Indian context, sectors help track industry performance on platforms like NSE and BSE. Globally, the S&P 500 also follows a well-defined 11-sector classification system, offering valuable insights for comparison.

All Sectors

India's stock exchanges categorise listed companies into multiple sectors to facilitate industry-specific tracking. Each sector consists of companies that operate in similar domains and serve similar markets. Here is a breakdown of the sectors in India:

Sector Name

Description

Abrasives

Companies that manufacture materials used for grinding, polishing, and finishing surfaces in industrial and domestic applications.

Agri

Firms involved in agriculture, farming, and related services such as crop production, fertilisers, and agri-equipment.

Alcohol

Businesses producing or distributing alcoholic beverages like beer, wine, and spirits.

Automobile & Ancillaries

Automakers and component manufacturers that produce vehicles, parts, and accessories.

Aviation

Companies operating in air transport, including airlines, airport services, and aircraft maintenance.

Bank

Public and private sector banks that provides financial services such as lending, deposits, and payments.

Business Services

Firms offering professional or support services like consulting, staffing, or outsourcing.

Capital Goods

Manufacturers of machinery, tools, and equipment used in industrial production and infrastructure.

Chemicals

Producers of industrial, specialty, or basic chemicals used in various manufacturing processes.

Construction Materials

Companies supplying materials like cement, tiles, glass, and steel used in construction.

Consumer Durables

Makers of long-lasting consumer goods such as appliances, electronics, and home products.

Crude Oil

Firms engaged in exploration, extraction, refining, or trading of crude oil and petroleum products.

Diamond & Jewellery

Businesses involved in mining, processing, and retailing diamonds, gold, and other jewellery.

Diversified

Conglomerates operating across multiple unrelated industries or sectors.

Education & Training

Institutions and service providers offering educational, vocational, or professional training.

Electricals

Manufacturers of electrical products like cables, switches, transformers, and related equipment.

ETF

Exchange Traded Funds that track indices, commodities, or sectors, and are traded on stock exchanges.

Ferro Manganese

Companies involved in the production or processing of ferroalloys used in steel manufacturing.

Finance

Non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) and firms providing lending, investment, or advisory services.

FMCG

Fast-moving consumer goods companies selling everyday essentials like food, beverages, and toiletries.

Gas Transmission

Firms engaged in the transportation and distribution of natural gas through pipelines.

G-Sec

Government Securities representing debt instruments issued by the Indian government for borrowing.

Healthcare

Hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, and firms offering medical equipment or health services.

Hospitality

Businesses in hotels, restaurants, travel, and leisure services.

Inds. Gases & Fuels

Companies producing industrial gases and alternative fuels for industrial and commercial use.

Infrastructure

Firms involved in the development of public assets like roads, bridges, ports, and utilities.

Insurance

Life, health, and general insurance companies offering risk coverage and financial protection.

Iron & Steel

Producers and processors of iron and steel products for construction and manufacturing.

IT

Information technology firms providing software, hardware, and digital solutions.

Logistics

Companies managing transportation, warehousing, and supply chain operations.

Media & Entert

ainment

Businesses in broadcasting, publishing, digital content, and entertainment production.

Mining

Companies engaged in extracting minerals, metals, or other natural resources.

Miscellaneous

Firms that do not fall under a specific category but operate in unique or niche industries.

Non-Ferrous Metals

Companies producing metals like aluminium, copper, and zinc that do not contain iron.

Others

Businesses that operate in areas not covered by the defined sectors.

Paper

Manufacturers of paper, packaging, and related pulp products.

Photographic Product

Firms producing cameras, films, and imaging-related equipment or materials.

Plastic Products

Manufacturers of plastic goods used in packaging, construction, and consumer applications.

Power

Companies generating, transmitting, or distributing electricity from conventional or renewable sources.

Ratings

Credit rating agencies assessing the creditworthiness of companies and debt instruments.

Realty

Developers and real estate firms engaged in residential, commercial, or industrial projects.

Retailing

Businesses selling goods directly to consumers through physical or online stores.

Ship Building

Companies involved in the design, construction, and repair of ships and marine vessels.

Telecom

Providers of mobile, broadband, and communication network services.

Textile

Firms producing fabrics, garments, and other textile-based products.

Trading

Companies engaged in the buying and selling of goods, commodities, or financial instruments.

FAQs

What are the 11 major sectors of the stock market?

Globally, especially in the S&P 500 classification, the 11 major sectors are:

  1. Information Technology

  2. Health Care

  3. Financials

  4. Consumer Discretionary

  5. Communication Services

  6. Industrials

  7. Consumer Staples

  8. Energy

  9. Utilities

  10. Real Estate

  11. Materials

These sectors help in standardising financial analysis across geographies and aid in building diversified portfolios.

How many sectors are in India’s stock market?

The Indian stock market, led by NSE and BSE, categorises stocks into over 12 key sectors, though the exact number can vary based on classification frameworks. These sectors include major industries such as Banking, IT, FMCG, Pharmaceuticals, Automobile, Oil & Gas, and Infrastructure, among others.

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