Basics of Financial Markets. Cash Equities & Equity Derivatives

This training helps participants understand the stock market and its financial derivatives. Trainees will receive a basic theoretical knowledge that will help them develop the necessary skills needed for project activities that require knowledge in this area. Case studies and test sessions are included.

After the course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the purpose of equity indices by viewing examples of how the index is calculated
• Describe how market price is settled and what factors impact the price
• Define a futures contract, provide contract attributes, differentiate between a long and short position, draw payout model, explain the term spread, hedge the risk of trading with futures, explain the motivation of  a buyer and seller of a contract
• Define options, tell the difference between put and call options, draw payout model, explain motivation of options buyer and seller
• Define equity swap, explain swap contract lifecycle, understand benefits of banks facilitating swap contracts
• Define exchange traded funds and understand how investing in ETFs differs from buying futures or stocks

• Equity indices: purpose, evaluation
• Supply and demand considerations, trade price setting
• Futures contracts
• Options
• Equity swaps
• Futures-style products example: Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs)