This one-day programme is designed for participants with little to no prior knowledge of finance and financial markets. During this programme, participants will learn the fundamental concepts, terminology and products that are used and traded in the financial markets.

By the end of this workshop you will have an understanding of:

• Financial Markets and Trading
• Currency Markets
• Bond Markets
• Equity Markets
• Commodity Markets
• Options Markets

The introduction to financial markets is also available as an in-house programme, which means you can tailor it to exactly what you and your colleagues require. Pricing for in-house will depend on what is required. Enquire about this option by contacting our training team.

Objectives:

• Demystifying the market jargon and terminology used in the marketplace and explain how the different parts of the financial environment work.
• Provide insight into the financial markets and how market participants interact with each other.
• Understand the role of the primary and secondary markets in providing financing and two-way liquidity.
• Discover how securities prices are quoted and the role of the market makers.
• Distinguish between the different asset classes and their risk prolife.
• Provide a walkthrough of the major asset classes, the products within each asset class and their mechanics for the currency, bond, equity and commodity markets.
• Be cognisant of the interaction between cash and derivative markets.
• Familiarise yourself with the use of first generation derivative products including futures, forwards and options.

The outline programme includes:

Financial Markets and Trading

• The role of the financial markets today
• What do the financial markets provide
• The primary and secondary markets
• Market participants
• Overview of hedge funds
• Market-making and bid-offer spread

The Currency Markets

• The FX spot markets
• Making the market in FX
• FX forward and swap markets

The Bond Markets

• The cash markets
• Bond price sensitivity and risk management
• Credit ratings – what are they? How are they used?
• Overview of Credit Default Swaps

The Equity Markets

• The cash markets
• Equity indices and benchmarks
• Equity Delta-1 products – introduction to simple derivatives

The Commodity Markets

• The commodity markets in perspective
• Commodity price determinants
• Trading in the generic commodity futures contract

The Options Markets

• Options fundamentals and terminology
• Why use options instead of the physical cash products
• Overview and applications of how investors use option products
• What is meant by option premium and what drives the cost of the option?