Stories

My first trading loss using the Upstox app – A Beginner’s Lesson

IntroductionWhen I started trading in the stock market, I was excited about the possibility of making quick profits. Like many beginners, I downloaded the Upstox trading app and began investing small amounts of money.However, my first real experience in trading was not profit — it was a loss. This experience taught me some important lessons that every beginner trader should understand before entering the market.My Portfolio SnapshotAt one point my portfolio looked like this:Total Invested: ₹ 2,331Current Value: ₹ 1,609Total Loss: ₹ 721 (-30%)For a beginner, even a small loss can feel discouraging. But in reality, this is a common experience for many new traders.Stocks I Invested InHere are the stocks from my portfolio:1. BELRISEThis was the only stock that performed well in my portfolio.Invested: ₹ 519Profit: +68%This taught me that some stocks can perform well, but one winner cannot always cover multiple losing trades.2. FILATFASHThis stock dropped significantly after I bought it.Loss: -75%This happened because I invested without proper research and followed market hype.3. RTNPOWERLoss: nearly -50%I realized that cheap stocks are not always good investments. Many beginners buy low-priced stocks thinking they will multiply quickly.4. SEPCLoss: more than -60%This was another mistake where I entered the trade without understanding the company fundamentals.Mistakes I Made as a Beginner TraderAfter reviewing my trades, I realized several mistakes:1. Buying Penny StocksMany beginners are attracted to low-priced stocks, but these often carry higher risk.2. No Proper ResearchI invested based on market buzz rather than analyzing the company or chart.3. Lack of Risk ManagementI did not use stop-loss orders, which could have limited my losses.4. Emotional TradingWhen prices dropped, I held the stocks hoping they would recover quickly.Final ThoughtsLosses are part of the trading journey. My experience using the Upstox platform taught me that the stock market rewards knowledge, patience, and discipline.Instead of quitting after losses, beginner traders should treat them as learning opportunities and improve their strategies.