Financial Markets Training Courses

Financial Markets Fundamentals – Level 1

This introductory module presents the mechanics of how financial markets operate, the main players, asset classes (stocks, bonds, currencies, commodities), as well as key concepts such as liquidity, volatility, and the role of indices. It provides the foundation for building expertise in financial markets.

1. Introduction to Financial Markets

• Role and functioning of markets
• Key players in financial markets
• Overview of financial instruments

2. Different Asset Classes

• Stocks: valuation and fundamental analysis
• Fixed income products: bonds, interest rates
• Forex: trading mechanisms and strategies
• Derivatives: options, futures, swaps

3. Analysis and Investment Strategies

• Economic and financial indicators
• Economic cycle and its impact on assets
• Portfolio management principles

• Understand how financial markets operate
• Identify different asset classes
• Analyze the impact of economic cycles on markets

• Master pricing and valuation mechanisms
• Interpret key market indicators
• Apply fundamental investment principles

Financial Analysts

Deepen your market knowledge for more sophisticated analyses.

Traders

Develop solid trading strategies based on a thorough understanding of markets.

Portfolio Managers

Optimize portfolio construction and management with clear market insights.

Financial Advisors

Strengthen your expertise to better advise clients on their investments.

Finance Beginners

Acquire the essential foundations to start your career in finance.

I. Role and Functioning of Financial Markets

• Role of financial markets
• Regulated markets vs OTC markets
• Financial markets ecosystem:
• • Investors
  • Traders
  • Hedgers
  • Arbitrageurs

II. Definition and Characteristics of Different Asset Classes

• Listed assets: stocks, rates, forex
• Unlisted assets: private equity, private debt, real estate, infrastructure
• Derivatives:
• • Role
  • Functioning
  • Types: options, futures, swaps, swaptions

Practical Case:

Example of hedging interest rate and currency risk with different derivative products (futures, options and swaps)

III. Economic Cycles

• Main phases of an economic cycle:
• • Initial recovery
  • Early expansion
  • Late expansion
  • Slowdown
  • Contraction

Practical Case:

Focus on inflation

• Monetary and fiscal policy and their influence on asset classes
• Role and functioning of central banks

Practical Cases:

• How does the ECB determine short-term rates?
• Focus on quantitative easing
• Inflation: challenges and central bank responses

IV. Asset Management

• Which asset classes in phases of:
• • Initial recovery
  • Early expansion
  • Late expansion
  • Slowdown
  • Contraction
• Different approaches to asset management:
• • Quantitative vs fundamental approach
  • Bottom Up vs Top Down approach
  • Value vs growth approach
  • Typology of main funds
  • Active vs passive management
• Main Hedge Fund strategies:
• • Long Short
  • Short only
  • Event driven
  • Distressed
  • Convertible arbitrage
  • Trend following

Practical Cases:

• Analysis of a fund prospectus
• Focus on arbitrage strategies