Understanding Financial Markets

UNDERSTANDING FINANCIAL MARKETS

This two-day course is suitable for those who are entering or already working in the financial services industry. It is particularly appealing to those who need to have an overview of the markets, how they work, the language it’s participants use, and the different instruments trading in those markets. It will also be of benefit to individuals or companies providing services to the financial services industry.
The course explains the workings and structure of the financial markets. It examines the instruments found in each market and explains how the participants interact in each market. It will give delegates a working knowledge of the major financial terminology they are likely to encounter in their jobs.

On completion of the course, participants should be able to:
• Define financial markets, their use and how market participants interact with each other
• Illustrate the advantages of bonds over other methods of raising finance, be able to describe at least seven types of bonds and how bond markets work
• Define clearing & settlement and who are the participants in the post-trade process
• Explain what repo is and describe how banks and investors use the market
• Discuss the commodity market and the characteristics of it that underpin it’s importance
• Recognise the four major types of swaps and understand the basic cashflows and how they are used
• Define equity, identify seven types of equities and identify the purpose of a stock exchange
• Differentiate between futures and options and identify situations where they might be used
• Be aware of three different scenarios where participants in financial markets tried to manipulate them, which ended in a catastrophe for the individual and their company.

Course Programme
• Financial Markets and Participants
• Foreign Exchange and Money Markets
• Fixed Interest Markets
• Repo
• Commodities
• Swaps
• Equities
• Derivatives
• Financial Market Scandals