10 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Stock Market Advisory

The popularity of stock market advisory services has surged in recent years, and for good reason. As more individuals step into trading and investing, they’re realizing the value of having expert guidance to navigate the markets.

However, not all advisories are created equal. With so many players—some genuine, others questionable—it’s easy to fall for promises that sound great but don’t deliver. Choosing the wrong advisory can lead to financial losses, wasted time, and shaken confidence.

To help you make an informed decision, here are 10 critical questions to ask before subscribing to any stock market advisory service. These questions will give you a clear understanding of the advisory’s credibility, transparency, and suitability for your investment needs.

1. Are You Registered with SEBI?

Why it matters:
SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) regulates stock market advisory services to protect investors from fraud and unethical practices.

A registered Investment Adviser (IA) or Research Analyst (RA) must follow strict compliance standards. If an advisory is not registered, they operate illegally, and you won’t have any recourse in case of disputes.

What to look for:

• Ask for their SEBI registration number

• Cross-check it on the SEBI official website

2. What Is Your Advisory Approach?

Why it matters:
Every advisory has a different style. Some focus on intraday calls, others on long-term investments or options trading. You need to know if their strategies align with your financial goals and trading preferences.

What to ask:

• Do you focus on positional, intraday, swing, or options trading?

• Do you provide personalized investment advice based on my profile?

3. How Do You Select Stocks?

Why it matters:
You need confidence that the advice is backed by research and not speculation or hearsay. Understand whether they use technical analysis, fundamental analysis, macroeconomic data, or a mix of approaches.

What to ask:

• Do you share the reasoning or reports behind your stock picks?

• What research tools or criteria do you use?

4. Can You Share Your Past Performance Reports?

Why it matters:
While no one can predict the market, past performance offers a glimpse into the advisory’s consistency, risk control, and transparency.

Be cautious of advisories that only showcase their winning calls while hiding losing ones.

What to look for:

• Performance reports for the last 6–12 months

• Win-loss ratio, average returns, and risk metrics

• Whether reports include both profits and losses

5. How Do You Manage Risk?

Why it matters:
Every investment carries risk. A good advisory service doesn’t just tell you what to buy—it tells you how much to buy, when to sell, and where to place stop-losses.

What to ask:

• Do you provide risk-reward ratios and stop-loss levels?

• How do you handle capital allocation and portfolio diversification?

6. What Is Included in Your Subscription Plan?

Why it matters:
Understand exactly what you're paying for. Some advisories offer a complete package including training, webinars, and portfolio reviews. Others only send calls without much explanation.

What to ask:

• What services are included in the plan—just tips or detailed analysis?

• How frequently will I receive recommendations?

• Do you offer support during market hours?

7. What Is Your Pricing and Refund Policy?

Why it matters:
Transparency in pricing shows professionalism. Beware of hidden charges or vague commitments. Also, a clear refund policy is a sign of confidence in their service.

What to ask:

• What is the cost of monthly/quarterly/yearly plans?

• Do you offer trial plans or demos?

• Is there any refund policy if I’m not satisfied?

8. Do You Offer Educational Support?

Why it matters:
Many investors prefer learning while earning. An advisory that helps you understand the “why” behind each call adds long-term value to your investing skills.

What to ask:

• Do you provide learning resources like reports, articles, or webinars?

• Do you help clients become more independent over time?

9. How Responsive Is Your Customer Support?

Why it matters:
Timely support is crucial, especially during live trading hours. You should never feel left out when markets are volatile or when you need quick clarification.

What to ask:

• What are your customer support hours?

• How can I contact you—phone, WhatsApp, email, etc.?

• Do you provide support in case I miss a call or need help with execution?

10. Do You Make Any Guaranteed Profit Claims?

Why it matters:
No one can guarantee profits in the stock market. If an advisory claims otherwise, it’s a major red flag. Ethical advisors never make such promises.

What to look for:

• Do they use words like “guaranteed returns” or “sure-shot calls”?

• Do they exaggerate with screenshots or edited profit claims?

• Are they warning you about risks as much as they talk about gains?

Bonus Tip: Try Before You Commit

If the advisory offers a trial period, use it to:

• Test their responsiveness

• Evaluate the quality of recommendations

• Assess whether the service fits your investing style

A short trial can save you months of frustration and help you make an informed decision.

Final Thoughts

A stock market advisory can be a valuable partner in your wealth-building journey—but only if chosen carefully. Asking the right questions is your first step toward finding a service that matches your risk profile, capital, expectations, and learning needs.

Instead of falling for aggressive marketing or flashy social media posts, take a step back and evaluate the advisory like you would any long-term investment. After all, you’re trusting them not just with your money—but with your financial future.

Do your homework, stay alert, and partner only with an advisory that prioritizes your success over their subscription count.