Within the arena of Indian stock markets, usually volatile, forgiving, and unpredictable, not many other names carry as much respect as the name of Vijay Kedia. With his keen eye-picking abilities in the stock market, contagious optimism, and memorable lines, Kedia is a rare breed of an improviser and long-term investor. His journey en route to being a teenage trader in Kolkata to become one of the most acclaimed players on the Indian market is no longer a story of a fortune maker, but of a strong and unwavering spirit, discipline, and learning by mistakes.

The philosophy of Kedia—which has been frequently summarized in his most famous formula in the words of SMILE (Small in size, Medium in experience, Large in aspiration, Extra-large in market potential)—had inspired a legion of future investors. However, behind the success and the confidence, there is a stormy path full of disappointments, doubts, and acquired knowledge.

This biography follows the highlight of the life of Vijay Kedia, the turning points of his life, and it shows the defining experiences of the life that formed his career as well as his philosophy on trading.

Early Life

Vijay Kedia was born to a family of business in Kolkata, India. His family had a stockbroking business. When he was a boy, he had overheard lectures on markets and businesses and commerce. It is at a tender age that his life was transformed. His father passed away, and the business family was not doing so well. He was forced to handle a huge responsibility prematurely.

He was not interested in school. Statistics and the business captivated him. He visualized that money would increase in case he knew businesses. In his teenage life he started visiting the stock market office where his father worked. The environment was intense. Traders shouted prices. People argued over shares. Young Vijay was made to feel as though he was in a new world. He chose the stock market as his way.

Entry into the Stock Market

Vijay Kedia began trading at the age of 19. He possessed very little money and had to depend mostly upon his own instinct and what he was able to acquire. His childhood was poor and distressing. He made many mistakes. He followed tips from others. He was a beginner trader who was in search of fast money. He lost money most of the times. He lost huge that time and left Kolkata. He went to Mumbai with the hope of a new life.

Mumbai changed his view. He got down to studying companies as an alternative to everyday trading. He studied businesses, management, and long-term growth. He noticed the successful investor conduct and Vijay Kedia investor profile have started.

A single thought gradually emerged: patience is the key to becoming a wealthy person in the stock market, but do not hurry. It was a turning point of this realization. He has afterward given an honest account of his early journey. He once said:

The market makes the best professor. It is very expensive, and the lessons are invaluable.

Key Achievements

• The turning point he actually made was when he stopped trading in the short term to invest in the long term.

• He sought small businesses with large potential that were not given serious attention by most investors.

• One of the successful investments was in Atul Auto, which was a small manufacturer of three-wheelers. At the time he invested, the company was unfamiliar. He believed in its growth.

• With time the company has expanded rapidly, and its share price increased numerousfold.

• Aegis Logistics, a logistics and gas infrastructure company, was another success. He invested when no one was noticing it. The business increased the stock price.

• He also invested in Cera Sanitaryware, which became a household name in India. The increased housing and infrastructural demand boosted the company.

• These investments had transformed small fortunes into colossal wealth. Certain holdings increased 50 or even 100 folds over the years.

• Due to these hits, Vijay Kedia gained popularity in the investing circles in India. He is asked to address financial conferences and colleges.

• His speeches are plain and vigorously charged. He does not tell us about intricate theories.

• A single well-known speech was given at an event held in the TED conference. He addressed the issue of his comeback after massive losses to victories.

• His life story gave hope to numerous young investors in India.

Investment Philosophy

The Vijay Kedia SMILE formula is easy if you understand it. He thinks that the stock market pays off to being patient and disciplined.

His concept is known as SMILE:

• S – Small in size 
• M – Medium in experience 
• I – Large in aspiration 
• L -Extra large in market potential. 
• E – Strong execution 

He seeks those firms which are small yet have great aspirations. Such companies may need several years to continue expanding. He pays attention to the quality of management as well. Leaders who have good attributes create good companies.

• Invest in business, not in stock prices.

• Another important lesson is learning to be patient. Many want quick profits. According to him, true wealth is time-tested.

• He would be likely to keep stocks over a long duration in case the business continues to expand.

• He asks to learn through mistakes. His initial business life was marked with massive loss, but it influenced his thought process.

• In interviews he makes fun of his early struggles. He tells us that the market was the one that taught him some humility.

Vijay Kedia too is a believer in lifelong learning. After decades he reads about industries and companies. To him, investing is not a matter of money. It is regarding the way business develops and ideas develop. The very fact that he started his career as a young trader with losses and ends up being a respected investor demonstrates the true strength of being patient and learning and believing in the stock market. Check out our YouTube channel to know more about investment and stock market success stories.