Capital Markets

The study of capital markets encompasses a wide array of topics but in essence it explains how buyers and sellers interact in the course of purchasing and selling securities.  The modern capital markets comprise equity, fixed income, derivatives, foreign exchange, commodities and structured products – in many cases, the markets and their products overlap.

Our innovative courses help demystify the most important and complex components of the capital markets universe.  Participants will benefit from our practitioners’ experiences that are brought into the learning environment.

Fundamentals of Securities Markets

This comprehensive introductory-level course on the securities industry provides participants with a thorough review of how major capital markets function and how the related securities are traded within them.  The program walks participants through numerous real-world examples of how equities, bonds, asset-backed securities and derivatives are structured, valued and traded in their respective markets.  The program also reviews recent capital markets innovations such as, dark pools and high frequency trading.

Learning Objectives

Outline/Topics:

  • Identify and describe the main securities in the equity, debt and derivatives markets
  • Describe how various markets are structured and how they operate
  • Explain and contrast measurement and valuation techniques used for equity, debt and derivative securities
  • Identify the key risks associated with equity, debt and derivatives securities
  • Describe how asset backed securities are structured and discuss their purpose in capital markets
  • Distinguish between direct and indirect finance and discuss the roles of various market participants
  • Review recent capital markets innovations such as dark pools

Duration:  One day

Program Level:  Basic

Prerequisites:  There are no prerequisites

CPE:  7.0 CPE Credits

1 Day Program
  • Function of Capital Markets
  • Role of Financial Intermediaries
  • Direct vs. Indirect Finance
  • Equity Securities and Markets
    • Common Stock
    • Preferred
    • Rights/warrants
    • Dark pools
    • High Frequency Trading
  • Fixed Income Concepts and Terminology
    • Reference Rates
    • Treasury Market
    • Municipal Bonds
    • Corporate Bonds
      • Indentures, covenants
      • Features
      • Ratings
    • Asset Backed Securities
    • Mortgage Backed Securities
    • Money Markets
    • Fixed Income Risks
  • Derivatives
    • Forwards
    • Futures
    • Options
    • Swaps
    • Credit Derivatives

For a detailed outline and additional information on this course or to find out about our other courses, contact us at (646) 244-5190 or [email protected]!

Fundamentals of Securities Markets: Products and Risks

This comprehensive three-day course on the securities industry provides participants with a thorough review of how major capital markets function, the securities that are traded within them and also the key risks for market practitioners.  The program walks participants through numerous real-world examples of how equities, bonds, asset-backed securities, currencies and derivatives are structured and valued, and how they are traded in their respective markets.  A feature of this course is the identification and analysis of the risks associated with the different types of securities and the implications for trading and valuing such securities.

Learning Objectives

Outline/Topics:

  • Identify and describe the main securities in the equity, debt and derivatives markets
  • Describe how various markets are structured and how they operate
  • Explain and contrast measurement and valuation techniques used for equity, debt and derivative securities
  • Identify and discuss the key risks associated with trading and valuing different securities
  • Describe how asset backed securities are structured and discuss their purpose in capital markets
  • Distinguish between direct and indirect finance and discuss the roles of various market participants
  • Review recent capital markets innovations such as dark pools
  • Discuss market issues related to high frequency trading
  • Compare the structure and risks associated with different investment fund types and other vehicles

Duration:  Three days

Program Level:  Basic

Prerequisites:  There are no prerequisites

CPE:  21.0 CPE Credits

Day 1
  • Function of Capital Markets
  • Role of Financial Intermediaries
  • Direct vs. Indirect Finance
  • Market, liquidity, operational and regulatory risk and mitigation practices
  • Equity Securities and Markets
    • Common stock and preferred stock
    • Rights/warrants
    • Methods and inherent risks in equity valuation and volatility
    • Fair value measurement and issues including mispricing
Day 2
  • Fixed Income Concepts and Terminology
    • Treasury Market
    • Municipal Bonds
    • Corporate Bonds
    • Asset Backed Securities
    • Mortgage Backed Securities
  • Money Markets
  • Fixed Income Risks
    • Interest rate
    • Spreads
    • Credit
    • Reinvestment
    • Liquidity
    • Pricing
Day 3
  • Derivatives
    • Comparison of forwards and futures
    • Role of clearinghouse and Dodd-Frank Title VII
    • Risk and rewards associated with options
    • Swaps
    • Swap risks including issues with LIBOR and counterparty exposure
    • Credit derivatives
  • Foreign Exchange, ETF’s and Mutual Funds
    • Basics of foreign exchange (FX)  including forex swaps
    • FX risks and past crises
    • Distinguish among mutual funds and ETFs
    • Structured products
  • Alternative Investments
    • Characteristics of hedge funds
    • Hedge fund strategies and risks
    • Types of private investment vehicles

For a detailed outline and additional information on this course or to find out about our other courses, contact us at (646) 244-5190 or [email protected]!

Overview of Credit Markets

This one day program provides participants with a deep dive into credit markets and debt-related instruments. The course will detail emerging issues within the Treasury market, trends in corporate issuances, the re-emergence of the MBS market, as well as discuss challenges and opportunities in the money market.  Recent central bank policy will also be reviewed to highlight the impacts of Quantitative Easing on the credit markets.  By combining innovative descriptions with real-world applications, participants will gain a thorough understanding of the critical role credit markets serve in the global economy.

Learning Objectives

Outline/Topics:

  • Classify the major segments of the credit market
  • Identify and describe the main securities in each segment of the credit market
  • Discuss how various Treasury, corporate and asset-backed securities are structured and traded
  • Explain the influence of recent central bank policy over credit markets
  • Describe the risks associated with debt-related instruments
  • Define the money market and the instruments within this market

Duration:  One day

Program Level:  Basic

Prerequisites:  There are no prerequisites

CPE:  7.0 CPE Credits

1 Day Program
  • Introduction & Bond Basics
  • Treasury Market
  • Central Bank Policy
  • Municipal Bonds
  • Corporate Bonds
  • Asset-backed Securities
  • Money Markets
  • Investing in Fixed Income
  • Fixed Income Risks

For a detailed outline and additional information on this course or to find out about our other courses, contact us at (646) 244-5190 or [email protected]!

Emerging Markets: Opportunities & Risks

This one day program provides participants a deep dive into today’s emerging markets and how they can be used as a single asset class or as part of a broad portfolio.  The program will begin with a brief history of investing in emerging markets and then focus on today’s environment.  Areas of emphasis include the risks within emerging markets as well as the products used to obtain market exposure.  By combining innovative descriptions and examples with modern real-world applications, participants will gain a thorough understanding of the role that the emerging markets serve in today’s global marketplace.

Learning Objectives

Outline/Topics:

  • Classify the major segments of the emerging markets
  • Identify and describe the main products used by emerging market players and investors
  • Discuss how various markets developed and the difference between the more established markets and the frontier markets
  • Explain the influence of recent central bank policy and the emerging markets
  • Describe the general and idiosyncratic risks associated with the emerging markets

Duration: One day

Program Level: Basic

Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites

CPE: 7.0 CPE Credits

1 Day Program
  • Introduction
  • Brief History of the Emerging Markets
  • Emerging Markets Influences
    • Macroeconomics
    • Commodities
    • Global politics and trade
    • Other asset classes
  • Emerging Markets Segments
  • Emerging markets investable securities
    • Foreign exchange
    • Non-deliverable forwards
    • Global bonds
    • Cross currency swaps
    • Carry trades
    • Equities & ADRs
    • Other
  • Risks in investing in emerging markets

For a detailed outline and additional information on this course or to find out about our other courses, contact us at (646) 244-5190 or [email protected]!

Introduction to Foreign Exchange

The past twenty years in global finance has seen a multitude of changes.  Among them are changes in market participants, changes in products, changes in technology and changes in regulation.  What the world has also seen is a globalization of all markets across regions and businesses.

This one day course will introduce the participants to current international securities markets as well as the foreign exchange market and its current development and products. The emphasis will be on understanding the mechanics of these global products, who uses them and why and how they interact.  These topics will be reinforced with multiple in-class exercises and group activities.

Learning Objectives

Outline/Topics:

  • Classify the major capital market products in international markets and their uses
  • Discuss how various international products are structured and traded
  • Identify unique risks that may be inherent in international products
  • Explain how different products may be used in conjunction with one another
  • Describe how foreign exchange markets operate and the various products within them
  • Identify the major participants in international markets and discuss their motivations

Duration:  One day

Program Level:  Basic

Prerequisites:  There are no prerequisites

CPE:  7.0 CPE Credits

1 Day Program
  • Introduction
  • Brief History of the Emerging Markets
  • Emerging Markets Influences
    • Macroeconomics
    • Commodities
    • Global politics and trade
    • Other asset classes
  • Emerging Markets Segments
  • Emerging markets investable securities
    • Foreign exchange
    • Non-deliverable forwards
    • Global bonds
    • Cross currency swaps
    • Carry trades
    • Equities & ADRs
    • Other
  • Risks in investing in emerging markets

For a detailed outline and additional information on this course or to find out about our other courses, contact us at (646) 244-5190 or [email protected]!