Strategic financial management [1] refers to study of finance with a long term view considering the strategic goals

of the enterprise. Financial management is nowadays increasingly referred to as "Strategic Financial Management" so as to give it an increased frame of reference.

Strategic financial management is basically about the identification of the possible strategies capable of maximizing an organization's market value. It involves the allocation of scarce capital resources among competing opportunities. It also encompasses the implementation and monitoring of the chosen strategy so as to achieve agreed objectives. The key decisions falling within the scope of financial strategy include the following: 1. Financial decisions - this deals with the mode of financing or mix of equity capital and debt capital. If it is possible to alter the total value of the company by alteration in the capital structure of the company, then an optimal financial mix would exist - where the market value of the company is maximized. 2. Investment decision - this involves the profitable utilization of firm's funds especially in longterm projects (capital projects). Because the future benefits associated with such projects are not known with certainty, investment decisions necessarily involve risk. The projects are therefore evaluated in relation to their expected return and risk. For these are the factors that ultimately determine the market value of the company. To maximize the market value of the company, the financial manager will be interested in those projects with maximum returns and minimum risk. An understanding of cost of capital, capital structure and portfolio theory is a prerequisite here. 3. Dividend decision - dividend decision determines the division of earnings between payments to shareholders and reinvestment in the company. Retained earnings are one of the most significant sources of funds for financing corporate growth, dividends constitute the cash flows that accrue to shareholders. Although both growth and dividends are desirable, these goals are in conflict with each other. A higher dividend rate means rate means less retained earnings and consequently slower rate of growth in future earnings and share prices. The finance manager must provide reasonable answer to this conflict. It should be noted that the theory of corporate finance is based on the assumption that the objective of management is to maximize the market value of the company. More specifically, it is settled in finance that the main objective of a company should be to maximize wealth of its ordinary shareholders.

Meaning and Concept of Capital Market

Capital Market is one of the significant aspect of every financial market. Hence it is necessary to study its correct meaning. Broadly speaking the capital market is a market for financial assets which have a long or indefinite maturity. Unlike money market instruments the capital market intruments become mature for the period above one year. It is an institutional arrangement to borrow and lend money for a longer period of time. It consists of financial institutions like IDBI, ICICI, UTI, LIC, etc. These institutions play the role of lenders in the capital market. Business units and corporate are the borrowers in the capital market. Capital market involves various instruments which can be used for financial transactions. Capital market provides long term debt and equity finance for the government and the corporate sector. Capital market can be classified into primary and secondary markets. The primary market is a market for new shares, where as in the secondary market the existing securities are traded. Capital market institutions provide rupee loans, foreign exchange loans, consultancy services and underwriting.

Significance, Role or Functions of Capital Market

Like the money market capital market is also very important. It plays a significant role in the national economy. A developed, dynamic and vibrant capital market can immensely contribute for speedy economic growth and development.

Let us get acquainted with the important functions and role of the capital market. 1. Mobilization of Savings : Capital market is an important source for mobilizing idle savings from the economy. It mobilizes funds from people for further investments in the productive channels of an economy. In that sense it activate the ideal monetary resources and puts them in proper investments. 2. Capital Formation : Capital market helps in capital formation. Capital formation is net addition to the existing stock of capital in the economy. Through mobilization of ideal resources it generates savings; the mobilized savings are made available to various segments such as agriculture, industry, etc. This helps in increasing capital formation. 3. Provision of Investment Avenue : Capital market raises resources for longer periods of time. Thus it provides an investment avenue for people who wish to invest resources for a long period of time. It provides suitable interest rate returns also to investors. Instruments such as bonds, equities, units of mutual funds, insurance policies, etc. definitely provides diverse investment avenue for the public. 4. Speed up Economic Growth and Development : Capital market enhances production and productivity in the national economy. As it makes funds available for long period of time, the financial requirements of business houses are met by the capital market. It helps

in research and development. This helps in, increasing production and productivity in economy by generation of employment and development of infrastructure. 5. Proper Regulation of Funds : Capital markets not only helps in fund mobilization, but it also helps in proper allocation of these resources. It can have regulation over the resources so that it can direct funds in a qualitative manner. 6. Service Provision : As an important financial set up capital market provides various types of services. It includes long term and medium term loans to industry, underwriting services, consultancy services, export finance, etc. These services help the manufacturing sector in a large spectrum. 7. Continuous Availability of Funds : Capital market is place where the investment avenue is continuously available for long term investment. This is a liquid market as it makes fund available on continues basis. Both buyers and seller can easily buy and sell securities as they are continuously available. Basically capital market transactions are related to the stock exchanges. Thus marketability in the capital market becomes easy. These are the important functions of the capital market.

Final Glance and Conclusion on Capital Market

The lack of an advanced and vibrant capital market can lead to underutilization of financial resources. The developed capital market also provides access to the foreign capital for domestic industry. Thus capital market definitely plays a constructive role in the over all development of an economy.

Definition of 'Capital Markets'

A market in which individuals and institutions trade financial securities. Organizations/institutions in the public and private sectors also often sell securities on the capital markets in order to raise funds. Thus, this type of market is composed of both the primary and secondary markets.

Investopedia explains 'Capital Markets'

Both the stock and bond markets are parts of the capital markets. For example, when a company conducts an IPO, it is tapping the investing public for capital and is therefore using the capital markets. This is also true when a country's government issues Treasury bonds in the bond market to fund its spending initiatives. Traditionally, this has referred to the market for trading long-term debt instruments (those that mature in more than one year). That is, the market where capital is raised. More recently, capital markets is used in a more general context to refer to the market for stocks, bonds, derivatives and other investments. Capital Market Any market in which securities are traded. Capital markets include the stock and bond markets. Companies and governments use capital markets to raise funds for their operations; for example, a company may issue an IPO while a government may issue a bond in order to conduct new or expand ongoing activities. Investors purchase securities in the capital markets in order to extract a return and earn profit on the securities. Capital markets include primary markets, such as IPOs that are placed with investors through underwriters, and secondary markets, in which all subsequent trading takes place. Government agencies in different countries regulate local capital markets, though some, especially exchanges, play some role in regulating themselves. capital market The market for long-term funds where securities such as common stock, preferred stock, and bonds are traded. Both the primary market for new issues and the secondary market for existing securities are part of the capital market.

A capital market is a market for securities (debt or equity), where business enterprises (companies) and governments can raise long-term funds. It is defined as a market in which money is provided for periods longer than a year, (Sullivan, arthur; Steven M. Sheffrin (2003). Economics: Principles in action. Upper Saddle River,: Pearson Prentice Hall. pp. 283. ISBN 013-063085-3.[dead link]) as the raising of short-term funds takes place on other markets (e.g., the money market). The capital market includes the stock market (equity securities) and the bond market (debt). Money markets and capital markets are parts of financial markets. Financial regulators, such as the UK's Financial Services Authority (FSA) or the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), oversee the capital markets in their designated jurisdictions to ensure that investors are protected against fraud, among other duties.

Capital markets may be classified as primary markets and secondary markets. In primary markets, new stock or bond issues are sold to investors via a mechanism known as underwriting. In the secondary markets, existing securities are sold and bought among investors or traders, usually on a securities exchange, over-the-counter, or elsewhere.

Capital market is that part of financial market in which trade of long term debts and securities are done by brokers and it includes share/stock market and bond market. The buyers are general public, middle investors , companies and brokers who are interested to invest their money for getting profit in the form of interest or dividend and profit from bargaining . Capital market is source long term funds for companies because any company who started his business can sell their shares in the primary market of capital and next time, this company is allowed to sell in secondary market. Buyers are also allowed to sell their bought shares in any time. Every country has made the control power for capital market. In USA, its name is Security exchange commission who control capital market. It established in 1934 but in India capital market controller name is Security exchange board of India which established in 1992 after Harshad Mehta Scam. Indias capital market is so wide and more than 30 millions investors have invested their money in Indian capital market. BSE and NSE are the famous stock exchanges in India like New York Stock exchange in USA .