 "financial influencers, finfluencers, influencers")
Only two per cent of financial influencers, commonly known as finfluencers, are registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi), but a staggering 33 per cent provide explicit stock recommendations, according to a study by the global not-for-profit organisation CFA Institute.
The study raises concerns over the growing impact of finfluencers on investment decisions. Highlighting a lack of regulation and accountability, the study notes that 63 per cent of finfluencers fail to adequately disclose sponsorships or financial affiliations, raising serious questions about conflicts of interest and the potential for investors to be misled.
"Investors must remain vigilant, seek investment guidance from Sebi-registered advisors, and evaluate the credentials of the influencers they follow," said Arati Porwal, Country Head of CFA Institute – India.
The report underlines the need for stronger certification standards, increased transparency on social media platforms, and addressing regulatory gaps. According to the study, eight per cent of investors reported that they were duped by finfluencers’ advice, with those over 40 years being more vulnerable.
Investors aged 26-30 consider the number of followers as a key parameter for trust. However, more than half of investors, who deemed an influencer's registration status as extremely important, were unaware of their actual registration status, it said.
 "insurance plans")
 "cable, wires, wire, cable industry")
 "BSE, MARKET")
 "Bank of England, England")
 "Paytm")
