# Equity instruments ### Equity asset class The equity asset class in India refers to investments in stocks, or shares, of companies listed on Indian stock exchanges, such as the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE). Investing in the equity asset class involves buying shares in a company with the expectation that the company will perform well and the value of the shares will increase over time. This can be a more risky investment than the debt asset class, as the value of equities can fluctuate significantly due to changes in the company's performance, market conditions, and other factors. However, investing in equities can also offer the potential for higher returns over the long term. Many investors in India, including individuals, mutual funds, and pension funds, choose to include some level of equity exposure in their portfolios to help diversify their risk and potentially achieve higher returns. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://blog.gomchik.com/personal-finance/asset-classes/equity-asset-class.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.