FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
You’ve got questions, we’ve got the right answers.
1. Can my account be refused to be opened?
Yes, we reserve the right to refuse your account without mentioning any reason.
2. Where do I send my initial deposit?
You can submit a cheque; Demand Draft (DD) or Pay Order (PO) in favor of ‘Asad Mustafa Securities Ltd – Client’ along with the account opening forms.
3. What is an Internet trading account?
It refers to a trading account fully administered and operated by an individual investor to trade in the Pakistan Stock Exchange from anywhere around the world via internet.
4. Can I use my online account to keep updated on my portfolio during the session or even after the session?
Yes. You may monitor your trading activities by logging on to your online trading account by using your login credentials anytime during the session or even after it.
5. How do you notify clients about their order executions?
Customers may view their order status directly by logging on to their online trading accounts or we have this practice to send them the order confirmation email containing details about their executed transactions, at the day end.
6. Is there a registration fee or annual fee for members?
No there is no such fee.
7. When can I start placing orders?
Once the account will be opened, your account will be activated and you will be able to place your orders.
8. How long does it take to activate/open an account?
The registration process usually takes:
2 – 3 working days for cash deposit
3 – 4 working days for cheque deposit
Up to 15 working days for OBC (Outbound Cheque)
9. What is the minimum amount required for opening an account?
Minimum amount required to open an online trading account at AMS Trade is Rs. 10,000/-. CDC or physical Shares worth Rs. 10,000 are also acceptable.
10. Is there help available to understand the trading system?
Yes, we have professional and courteous Trade officers are available from 9 AM till 05:00 PM from Monday to Friday.
11. What is an ISP and why should it matter which service provider I use?
A very important part is the quality of your connection and it depends on the ISP i-e Internet Service Provider. Your choice of ISP should be made carefully. The determining factors should be how quickly you get connected during peak times and consistency of service.
12. I have just registered, but I cannot log in?
Check your login and password, as they may be case-sensitive and retry. Otherwise, please contact our Settlement Department at our phone lines (042-36300447.48).
13. How do I enable Java or JavaScript in my browser?
When using Internet Explorer 4.02 or higher, go to the “Tools” menu on your browser’s toolbar. Select “Internet Options” and then select “Advanced”. In the Java VM section, place a check-mark in both the “Enable Java JIT Compiler” and “Enable Java Logging” boxes.
14. How do I verify my operating system?
If you have windows 95/98 or 2000:
From the “Start” menu select “Settings” and then “Control Panel”.
In the “Control Panel” menu double click on “System”.
Verify the Operating System, processor type and the KB of RAM memory.
15. How do I verify my hard disk space?
If you have Windows 95, 98 or 2000:
Double-click on the “My Computer” icon on the Windows desktop.
Single right-click on the Hard Drive (Local Disk C:) icon.
Select “Properties” from the drop-down menu and check the available hard disk space.
16. How do I select my System?
If you utilize Windows 95, you will need to:
Click the “Start” button to display the “Start” menu.
Select “Settings” and select “Control Panel.” (The “Control Panel” window will appear).
Double-click “Display.” (The “Display Properties” dialog box appears).
Change the amount of desktop area displayed.
Click the “Settings” tab.
Move the slider in the “Desktop area” section to the right or the left until it reads 800 by 600 pixels. (An example of the desktop size appears in the sample monitor).
Click “Apply”
When the “Display Properties” prompt appears click “OK” and the new desktop settings will take effect.
If you utilize Windows 98 or Windows 2000, you will need to:
Right-click the Windows 98 desktop and select “Properties.” (The “Display Properties” dialog box will appear)
Click the “Settings” tab
In the “Screen area” group, move the slider display until it reads 800 by 600 pixels. The available options will depend upon the type of monitor you are using, but the following resolutions are generally available: “640 x 480 pixels,” “800 x 600 pixels,” and “1024 x 768 pixels”
Click “OK” and then click “OK” again
To keep the newly selected setting, click “Yes”
17. What is “cache memory”?
Cache memory allows you to store previously viewed web pages. This information is stored on your hard drive within the browser’s cache directory. When you navigate from one website to another, your browser can first check to see if the web page is stored in its cache memory. While cache memory can enable you to quickly load websites that have been stored, it may also cause some problems:
Error messages may be stored in your cache
If your cache size has reached its capacity, your browser may become sluggish or unstable
18. What size cache should I use?
Cache size should be set no higher than 32 MB of RAM or 10% of the entire hard drive, whichever is greater.
19. What are “cookies”?
Cookies are pieces of information that a website transfers to your computer’s hard drive for record-keeping purposes. Cookies can make the web more useful by storing information about your preferences on a particular site, such as your preferred chart settings. Many major websites use cookies to provide useful features for their customers. Most browsers are initially set to accept cookies. You can set browser to refuse cookies. However, this may keep you from taking full advantage of a site.
20. What is an ActiveX control?
ActiveX is Microsoft version of Sun Microsystems’ Java Technology. An ActiveX control is roughly equivalent to Java applet. Java Script and ActiveX controls can be used within a website to do such things as:
Cause a linked page to appear in its own pop-up window
Enable text or graphic image to change in appearance when the mouse is held over them
21. What is an Adobe.pdf file and how do I view it?
Certain documents on our website (such as the Press Release) have special formatting needs and appear as “.pdf” (page document formatted) files. These files provide the highest level of document-quality formatting, and can be printed exactly as shown.
In order to view “.pdf” files, you will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader® plug-in software. You may download this program for free from Adobe’s Internet site at http://www.adobe.com.
After you have downloaded the Adobe Acrobat Reader® plug-in, you will have to install it. This usually involves exiting your Internet browser and double clicking on the file you downloaded. More detailed instructions for installation are located on the download page of Adobe’s website.
22. How do I clear temporary Internet files?
If you utilize Internet Explorer 4.0, you will need to do the following:
Go to the “View” menu and select “Internet Options.” Select the “General” tab
Under “Temporary Internet files” click “Delete Files”
Check “Delete all offline content” and click “OK”
Restart browser
If you utilize Internet Explorer 5.0, you will need to do the following:
Go to the “Tools” menu and select “Internet Options.” Select the “General” tab
Under “Temporary Internet files” click “Delete Files”
Check “Delete all offline content” and click “OK”
Restart browser
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How do I clear my history?
If you use Internet Explorer 4.0, you will need to do the following:
Go to the “view” menu and then to the “Internet Options” item followed by the “General” tab
Under “History,” click “Clear History.” At the dialog window, click “OK”
Close the “Internet Options” window by clicking “Apply” then “OK” at the bottom of the window
Restart browser
If you use Internet Explorer 5.0 or 5.1, you will need to do the following:
Go to the “Tools” menu and select “Internet Options.” Following this, select the “General Options” tab
Under “History” click “Clear History.” At the dialog window click “OK”
Close the “Internet Options” window by clicking “Apply” then “OK” at the bottom of the window
Restart browser
23. How do I delete the cookies that have been created?
Click on “Start” and then on “Settings” and “Control Panel.” Find “Internet Options” and select the “General” tab
Press the “Delete Files” button then click on “Settings” and “View Files” This will open a new window containing all of the cookie files
Locate the Asad Mustafa cookie.
Select “File” and then “Delete”
Restart your browser
24. How do I enable cookies?
To access your stock portfolio successfully, you may have to enable your browser to accept cookies.
If you utilize Internet Explorer 4.0, follow the instructions below:
Go to the “View” menu and select “Internet Options” followed by the “Advanced” tab
Scroll down to the “Security” header
Click on “Always Accept Cookies”
If you utilize Internet Explorer 5.0 or 5.1, follow the instructions below:
Choose “Tools” and then “Internet Options”
Select the “Security” tab. In the white box at the top, you will have 4 options:
a. Internet
b. Local Intranet
c. Trusted Sites
d. Restricted
Each of these is a category in which you may place sites. If you have never changed your security settings before, choose “Internet.” Otherwise, choose the category in which you have place.
Make sure the “Security level for this zone” is at “Medium” or lower. If it is set to “High”, you will not be able to accept cookies
If your security level says “Custom,” choose the “Custom Level” button and make sure you have selected “Enable” under the heading “Allow per-session cookies”
If you have already set the security level at “Medium” or lower and still cannot get cookies, choose the “Custom Level” button and make sure you have selected “Enable” under the heading “Allow per-session cookies”
Click “OK”
25. Your site seems slow. Is there anything you can recommend to speed it up?
There are several potential causes for the delays, which you are experiencing. Clearing the cache every few days will greatly improve your browser’s performance. In addition to your computer’s processor and modem speed (we recommend at least a Pentium II processor and a 56 KBPS modem), factors such as your choice of Internet Service Provider (ISP) and phone connection may result in slower downloading speeds. In addition, the speed at which the site loads may vary depending on the time of day during which you are accessing the site. Different levels of traffic on the Internet, both at our site and through your Internet Service Provider, may affect the loading speed.
26. What is a cable modem?
A cable modem is a device that enables you to attach your PC to a local cable TV line and receive data at about 1.5 Mbps. This data rate far exceeds that of 28.8 and 56 Kbps telephone modems. A cable modem can be added to or integrated with a set-top box that provides your TV set with channels for Internet access. In most cases, cable modems are furnished as part of the cable access service and are not purchased directly and installed by the subscriber.
27. What is a firewall?
A firewall is made up of a combination of hardware and software which is designed to securely separate the Internet from internal computer systems and databases. At AMS Trade data coming from customer computers via the Internet flows through a series of safety checkpoints on its way to our internal systems. Data is encrypted between your system and internal systems to protect it from unauthorized disclosure or modification.
28. What is Provisional Trading?
Provisional Trading refers to the trading activity that takes place between the time scrip is formally listed at the Stock Exchange and after its IPO has taken place and the subscriptions have been received from the prospective shareholders. During this time trading activity takes place under an informal mechanism before the settlement date of the subscription where all shareholders have to settle their positions with the Stock Exchange against their holdings in the scrip. Provisional Trading helps gauge for the investors the demand and supply situation of the scrip before the formal start at the Stock Exchange. The settlement procedure during the provisional trading period is similar to the settlement of Future Contracts.
29. What is the difference between ‘Margin’ and ‘DVP’ Accounts?
A Margin account is an account where an investor only needs to keep a portion of the funds as a margin of the total amount with the stockbroker to process his/her trades at the Exchange. It means that the customer places a decided percentage (mutually agreed upon between the investor and the broker prior to operating the account) of the funds with the broker against the net total value of his/her trades carried out through that broker at the stock exchange. The margin amount in essence along with the shares purchased serves as a collateral that the investor maintains with the broker to carry out his/her transactions. The Margin amount varies from broker to broker. At Asad Mustafa Trade all customers are required to maintain 20% margin against his/her outstanding trades/exposure for the purpose of trading in his/her/their account.
SECP regulations allows brokers to revise their margin requirements for their account holders if they inform their customers at least 3 days prior to the implementation of the revised margin requirements.
The use of margin accounts provides investors to buy and hold more stocks without full payment.
This can provide investors the advantage to generate high profits, but it also exposes them to the potential of high losses.
Cash accounts are different from margin accounts in a way that the amount deposited by the account holder is fully used. This means that the Account Holder can only buy/sell shares equal to the funds deposited by him/her with the broker.
What is the difference between Delivery Versus Payment (DVP) and Margin Trading?
Delivery Versus Payment refers to where stocks are purchased and marked for delivery with the total value of the trade deducted from the Customer’s account thus reducing the corresponding cash balance in his/her account. In this manner he/she can only purchase and sell stocks that are less than or equal to the amount of cash deposited by him.
Margin trading is a type of account used to provide clients with additional funds as a multiple of their cash deposited. If a client places the basic account opening requirement of Rs. 10,000, he/she is provided a trading limit that is five times the amount i.e. Rs. 50,000. The basic amount is calculated as 20% of the trading limit.
*Asad Mustafa is no longer providing margin facility.
30. What is Equity?
Equity is the ownership of shares in a corporation in the form of common stock or preferred stock. It also refers to total assets minus total liabilities, in which case it is also referred to as shareholder’s equity or net worth or book value.
31. What are Stop Loss Orders?
Stop Loss trading is a form used to prevent unusual and large amount of losses. It allows the client to place a rate below current market price if there is a drop expected.
32. What is the procedure to cancel pending orders during system failure?
In case of IBTS System Failure due to any Reason, investors can always use our Call Center services to place, cancel, or inquire about their pending orders. Our Trade Officers can perform this on your behalf after your instructions.
Investor can call us on our phone lines to avail Order Placement / Cancellation facility.
I already have a CDC Investor’s A/C, what is the procedure to transfer shares from my CDC Investor’s A/C to my Asad Mustafa A/C?
You will have to provide a CDC cheque (Transfer Order) in favor of “Asad Mustafa Securities Ltd.”
33. Can I transfer my securities from my AMS Trade A/C to another member’s A/C?
Yes, we will need the CDC account holder’s participant name and ID and also a written request to transfer the security. However, you must ensure that your account isn’t in debt; otherwise we would not be able to transfer your securities to any other account.
34. Can I transfer my securities from my AMS A/C or to another CDC investor’s A/C?
You may do so by dropping an email to our email address mentioning your CDC Investor a/c number as well name & quantity of the securities you intend to transfer.
35. Does Asad Mustafa accept physical shares?
Yes, physical shares are acceptable at Asad Mustafa. Physical Shares in your name will be converted to CDC Format and transferred to your Asad Mustafa Trade Account.
36. What is the procedure to convert physical shares into CDC shares?
Physical shares must be in the name of AMS Account Holder.
Copies of CNIC must be submitted at the time of request.
All physical shares must be VERIFIED by the company’s registrar.
Conversion of shares may take around 5 to 6 working weeks.
You can also open your Asad Mustafa account with the physical shares.
37. What are the charges for the conversion and transfer of shares?
Physical Share Conversion into CDC – 5 paisa/share. If the quantity of the physical shares to be transferred is less than or equal to 1000 then a minimum amount of Rs 1500 will be charged.
CDC Share Transfer to another Investor’s A/C – 1 paisa/share. If the quantity of the physical shares to be transferred is less than or equal to 500 then a minimum amount of Rs.5 will be charged.
38. What is ‘Working Capital’?
Working capital can be calculated as current assets minus current liabilities.
A firm’s working capital is the money that is available to meet current obligations (those due in less than a year). A firm with a great deal of working capital is in little danger of falling in the near future, but enormous working capital over a prolonged period could also imply excessively conservative management. Working capital, after all, is short-term in nature and has not been put to work in the company’s profit-making business operations. As with most measures of corporate well being, this one varies by industry and even by season.
39. What is ‘Total Annualized Return’?
An investment return projected over a year period, compounded daily. For example, if an investment returned 1% over one month, it would have an annualized return of approximately 12%. Total annualized return can be useful in assessing the performance of an investment held for a brief period.
40. What is ‘Turnover Ratio’?
A measure of a fund’s trading activity, computed by dividing the lesser of purchases or sales (excluding all securities with maturity of less than one year) by average monthly assets. A turnover ratio of 100% or more does not necessarily suggest that all securities in the portfolio have been traded. In practical terms, the resulting percentage loosely represents the percentage of the portfolio’s holdings that have changed over the past year.
41. What is a ‘Symbol’?
A symbol is a unique, market-approved code that identifies a particular security on an exchange. The symbol generally reflects the name of the security. For example, the symbol for the Karachi Electric Supply Corporation stock is KEL. This is also known as the ‘ticker symbol’.
42. What is ‘Real Return’?
Real return can be defined as the return on an investment after taking inflation into account. To calculate the real return, simply subtract the inflation rate from the stated return. For instance, a 12 percent annual return in a year of 5 percent inflation results in a 7 percent real return.
43. What is Relative ‘Strength’?
It measures the price performance of a stock in comparison to all other stocks. Many analysts believe that stocks with strong and improving relative strength tend to continue to outperform all other stocks, all other things being equal.
The figure is obtained by calculating the percent price change of a stock over a particular time period and ranking it against all other stocks on a scale of 1 to 100, with 100 being best. Stocks that are ranked from 70 to 100 are considered to have good relative strength, while stocks ranked less than 50 are considered to have poor relative strength.
44. How can I calculate my ‘Return on Investment’ (ROI)?
Return on investment is calculated by taking the value of the investment held at the beginning of the ROI period compared to the current value. In other words:
((Current Value) – (Beginning Value) + (Income))
(Beginning Value)
Where:
(Current Value) = (the current total shares) x (the last price),
(Beginning Value) = [(Number of shares held prior to the period – any shares sold) x (the closing price prior to the period)] + the “Cost Basis” of any shares added in this period (Buys, Reinvest, Add Shares, etc.), and
(Income) = any income events such as Dividends/Interest (not Reinvested) and Realized gain/loss from Sells in this period.
For example, assume that on 1/1/99 you owned 1000 shares of XXYY (which had been purchased prior to this date), the last price (on 12/31/98) was Rs.69 11/32, and you still own the 1000 shares and the current price is Rs.90 1/8. The ROI (YTD) for XXXX Script would be calculated:
[(1000 x 90.125) – (1000 x 69.34375)]
(1000 x 69.34375) =
20781.25
69343.75 = 29.968%
If you had purchased 200 additional shares at Rs.75 each during this period, the formula would be modified as follows:
[(1200 x 90.125) – (1000 x 69.34375 + 200 x75)]
(1000 x 69.34375 + > 200 x 75) =
23806.25
84343.75 = 28.225%
45. What is ‘Revenue’?
All the money (or other items of value) that came into the company during the given period. Revenue includes everything: sales, interest income, proceeds from the sale of a subsidiary and so forth. Revenue is thus one of the most reliable items on the income statement, as opposed to net income, which is subject to various accounting and managerial judgments. But the all-inclusive nature of revenue can make it misleading. If 50 percent of revenue in a given year came from the one-time sale of some land, clearly one shouldn’t assume that the business will have similar revenue in future years.
46. What does ‘Quick Ratio’ mean?
The sum of cash and receivables from the most recent quarter divided by the total current liabilities from the most recent quarter. This assessment of a company’s ability to meet short-term obligations is also known as the acid test. In general, the quick ratio should be 1 or better. A high quick ratio is usually a sign of a solid, conservatively run company in no danger of imminent demise even if for some awful reason sales immediately ceased. A firm’s quick ratio might be of special interest to investors anticipating some kind of downturn in the firm’s business or the economy at large.
47. What does YTD stands for?
YTD is an abbreviation for year-to-date.
48. What is a ‘Limit Order’?
When you instruct your broker to buy shares for you at or below a certain price, or sell shares at or above a certain price, you’ve entered a limit order. Limit orders reduce the risk that an order will be filled at a price you don’t like, and best suit the investors’ interests in volatile markets. The down side, of course, is that by waiting for your price the stock you want gets away from you, or the stock you want to unload just keeps falling. The opposite of a limit order is a market order, in which the broker is instructed to execute the trade at any market price available.
49. What does ‘Earning per Share’ mean?
Net income divided by common shares outstanding. A company that earns Rs.1 million for the year and has a million shares outstanding has an EPS of Rs.1. This EPS figure, which represents how much of earnings each share is entitled to, is important as the basis for various calculations an investor might make in assessing a stock’s priceless. It is the most widely used indicator to show whether a stock is over- or undervalued, for example, is the price/earnings (P/E) ratio, which relates share price to earnings per share.