Financial Markets Explained

Course details

The Financial Markets Explained course is packed with real life examples delving into the subprime crisis, the unfolding of Ireland's banking capital problems, quantitative easing recent IPO's and how the leverage used in derivatives triggered the credit crunch.

The course is suitable for those who are interested in beginning a career in or are already working in the financial services industry. It is particularly appealing to those who seek a bird’s eye view of how the markets work, the jargon used in the industry and the different instruments fused in the markets. It will also be of benefit to individuals or companies providing services to the financial services industry who seek a better understanding of your client’s needs, wants and daily working life.

On completion of the course, participants should be able to:

• Understand the interaction between the debt, equity, foreign exchange, commodity and derivatives markets.
• Trace the money trail from into a stock, bond or fund.
• Buy a stock using an online broker.
• Illustrate the advantages of bonds over other methods of raising finance; be able to describe at least seven types of bonds and how they work.
• Discuss the commodity market and the characteristics of it that underpin its importance
• Complete a basic relative valuation of a stock, identify what drivers share prices and recognise the purpose of a stock exchange
• Differentiate between futures and options and the motivation behind the use of each.
• Recognise the four major types of swaps and understand the basic cash flows and how they are used

Topics covered include

• Capital Markets & Participants
• Fixed Interest Rates
• Practical Investing
• Foreign Exchange
• Equities
• Derivatives