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Gautam Kaul

In this course, we will apply the central concept and applications of Time Value of Money (TVM) to explore the structure and pricing of stocks and bonds at an introductory level. In this course, you will learn about bonds, different types of bonds (Zero Coupon bonds, Government bonds). You will learn about bond pricing calculations and see their direct connection to market data on bonds. You will also learn about stocks, and their pricing and valuation. You will learn about growth and dividend stocks and how to use market data.

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In this course, we will apply the central concept and applications of Time Value of Money (TVM) to explore the structure and pricing of stocks and bonds at an introductory level. In this course, you will learn about bonds, different types of bonds (Zero Coupon bonds, Government bonds). You will learn about bond pricing calculations and see their direct connection to market data on bonds. You will also learn about stocks, and their pricing and valuation. You will learn about growth and dividend stocks and how to use market data.

After completing this course, you will have an understanding of the two fundamental and pervasive ways in which savers transfer money to governments and corporations. You will be able to apply all this knowledge to personal investing decisions and, importantly, these same tools and frameworks are applicable to corporate decisions.

This course is part of the four-course Foundational Finance for Strategic Decision Making Specialization.

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What's inside

Syllabus

week 1: Bond Valuation
This course is focused on understanding the two most commonly used vehicles/instruments by corporations for raising money. This week we will introduce you to the basic language and mechanics of bond pricing. Though introductory, we attempt to cover a fair amount of content and with real world applications.
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Ideal for learners looking to explore introductory level concepts of stock and bond trading
Instructors Gautam Kaul have experience in finance related fields
Good mix of videos, readings, and discussions for diverse learning styles

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Reviews summary

Introduction to stocks and bonds

According to learners, this course provides a solid introduction and clear overview of stocks and bonds, making complex topics accessible for beginners. Many appreciate the connection to real-world market data and feel the concepts are highly applicable to personal investing and understanding corporate finance. While praised for its foundational clarity and logical structure, some students found the graded assignments challenging and felt the course was not deep enough for those with prior finance knowledge.
Excellent basics, but doesn't go deep.
"A solid starting point, but basic if you already have some finance background."
"Great for fundamentals, but not for advanced learners seeking depth."
"Excellent content at an introductory level."
Strongly links concepts to Time Value of Money.
"Liked how the course built on Time Value of Money principles."
"Using TVM as a core concept made the pricing methods logical."
"Good integration of TVM from previous courses in the specialization."
Connects theory to market data and practical use.
"Loved seeing how the concepts apply to real market data."
"Very practical, showing how to use the knowledge for personal investing decisions."
"The tie-in with real world examples was a major plus."
"Useful insights that I can immediately apply."
Provides a clear foundation for beginners.
"This course gave me a very good introduction to stocks and bonds."
"Excellent foundational course for understanding the basics."
"Explained concepts clearly and made them easy to grasp, even for a beginner like me."
"Great overview of the mechanics and valuation of both instruments."
Graded assignments can be difficult.
"The graded assignments were quite difficult and required significant effort."
"Found the assignments challenging, especially week 4."
"Wish there were more practice problems before the graded assignments."
"Assignment difficulty jumped compared to lecture material."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Stocks and Bonds with these activities:
Volunteer at a financial literacy organization
Enhance your understanding of financial markets and concepts while giving back to your community.
Browse courses on Financial Literacy
Show steps
  • Identify local organizations focused on financial literacy.
  • Inquire about volunteer opportunities and their requirements.
  • Attend volunteer training and orientation sessions.
Review College Algebra
Brush up on your algebra skills to better prepare you for the mathematical concepts in this course.
Show steps
  • Review notes from a previous algebra course.
  • Take practice problems to test your understanding.
  • Use online resources for additional practice and clarification.
Compile a collection of resources on financial markets
Expand your knowledge of financial markets by creating a curated collection of books, articles, and websites.
Browse courses on Financial Markets
Show steps
  • Identify reputable sources on financial markets.
  • Organize the resources by topic or category.
  • Include a brief summary or description of each resource.
Six other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all nine activities
Connect with finance professionals
Expand your professional network and gain insights from experienced individuals in the field of finance.
Browse courses on Mentorship
Show steps
  • Attend industry events and conferences.
  • Reach out to professionals on LinkedIn.
  • Join professional organizations related to finance.
Discuss bond pricing calculations
Engage with peers in a discussion forum to clarify your understanding of bond pricing calculations.
Browse courses on Bond Valuation
Show steps
  • Join the course discussion forum.
  • Participate in discussions about bond pricing calculations.
  • Ask clarifying questions and provide insights.
Learn about different types of bonds
Supplement your understanding of the different types of bonds by exploring online tutorials.
Browse courses on Bonds
Show steps
  • Find online tutorials on bond types.
  • Follow the tutorials and take notes on key concepts.
  • Test your understanding by completing practice exercises.
Solve practice problems on bond and stock valuation
Solidify your understanding of bond and stock valuation through repetitive practice.
Browse courses on Bond Valuation
Show steps
  • Find online practice problems and quizzes on bond and stock valuation.
  • Attempt the problems and check your answers.
  • Review the solutions and identify areas for improvement.
Develop an infographic on stock valuation concepts
Create a visual representation of stock valuation concepts to enhance your understanding and recall.
Browse courses on Stock Valuation
Show steps
  • Gather information about stock valuation concepts.
  • Design an infographic layout and choose appropriate visuals.
  • Develop concise and informative content for each section.
Read 'The Intelligent Investor' by Benjamin Graham
Gain valuable insights into the principles of value investing and financial decision-making.
Show steps
  • Read through the book carefully, taking notes on key concepts.
  • Identify and summarize the main investment strategies discussed in the book.
  • Consider how the principles apply to your personal investing journey.

Career center

Learners who complete Stocks and Bonds will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Financial Analyst
Financial Analysts provide advice on stocks and bonds. This course provides a foundation for understanding how stocks and bonds are priced and valued, which will be invaluable to performing your job duties. Many financial analysts also perform more quantitative work, such as creating financial models, so the mathematical abilities fostered in this course will be helpful.
Stockbroker
Stockbrokers help clients buy and sell stocks. Being able to evaluate stocks is key to executing your duties. Specifically, the knowledge of valuing companies using stocks, taught in this course, is essential to becoming successful.
Corporate Finance Analyst
Corporate Finance Analysts help companies make financial decisions. This course will provide you with a foundation in corporate finance and financial modeling. This is valuable for making more informed decisions regarding capital budgeting and investment.
Investment Fund Manager
Investment Fund Managers manage investment funds for clients. This course provides a good foundation in investing, portfolio management, and valuing financial securities. All of which are necessary to be successful in this career.
Venture Capitalist
Venture Capitalists invest in early-stage companies with high growth potential. This course can help you develop a foundation in investing, portfolio management, and valuing financial securities. This is all necessary knowledge to be successful in this role.
Portfolio Manager
Portfolio Managers manage investments for clients. This course will provide you with a good foundation in investing, portfolio management, and valuing financial securities. This is all necessary knowledge to be successful in this role
Credit Analyst
Credit Analysts assess the creditworthiness of borrowers. This course can help you develop a foundation in finance and accounting, which can be useful in your role as a Credit Analyst.
Hedge Fund Manager
Hedge Fund Managers manage investment funds for high-net-worth individuals and institutions. This course can help you develop a foundation in investing and portfolio management which can then be leveraged to break into this competitive field.
Private Equity Investor
Private Equity Investors invest in companies that are not publicly traded. This course can help you develop a foundation in investing, portfolio management, and valuing financial securities, which is necessary for success in this field.
Financial Advisor
Financial Advisors provide advice to their clients on financial matters. In this role, you would use the knowledge of bonds and stocks that you acquire in this course to help plan investments, retirement strategies, and other financial goals. This course may also help you in understanding the financial needs and strategies of those who are in similar financial positions as your clients.
Investment Banker
Investment Bankers provide advice on raising capital. This course provides a good foundation in bonds, which will be useful since you will often be tasked with advising clients on bond issuance. This course will also provide you with a foundation in understanding the stock market, which is useful as these investment decisions affect the strategy of the companies you will advise.
Banker
Bankers provide financial services to individuals and businesses. This course provides a foundation in banking, which can be useful in this role. It can help you understand the financial products and services offered by banks and how to advise clients on their financial needs.
Actuary
Actuaries are responsible for assessing risk. This course will provide you with a foundation for understanding the financial risks associated with bonds and stocks. This could lead to opportunities to specialize in the valuation of financial risks, which is a growing field.
Economist
Economists study the economy and economic trends. This course may be useful in helping you understand economic fundamentals, which can be helpful in your role as an Economist.
Market Researcher
Market Researchers study market trends and consumer behavior. This course may be useful in helping you understand financial markets and the behavior of investors, which can be helpful in your role as a Market Researcher.

Reading list

We've selected 13 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Stocks and Bonds.
This classic textbook provides a comprehensive overview of investment principles and practices, including chapters on bonds and stocks. It valuable resource for those seeking a broad understanding of investment theory and practice.
This classic book by Benjamin Graham must-read for any serious investor. It provides valuable insights into the principles of value investing and risk management.
This classic textbook provides a comprehensive overview of security analysis, including chapters on bonds and stocks. It valuable reference for those seeking a deep understanding of investment analysis techniques.
Provides a comprehensive overview of investment principles and practices, including chapters on bonds and stocks. It valuable resource for those preparing for the CFA exam or seeking a broad understanding of investment theory and practice.
This handbook provides a comprehensive overview of fixed income securities, including bonds, with a focus on practical applications. It valuable reference for those seeking a deep understanding of bond markets and instruments.
Provides a theoretical framework for investment valuation, including chapters on bonds and stocks. It valuable reference for those seeking a deep understanding of investment theory and practice.
Provides a historical perspective on the stock market, with a focus on the long-term performance of stocks. It valuable reference for those seeking a deep understanding of the stock market and its long-term trends.
Provides a simple and straightforward guide to investing, with a focus on long-term investing and index funds. It valuable reference for those seeking a practical guide to investing.
Provides a comprehensive overview of bonds, with a focus on practical applications. It valuable reference for those seeking a deep understanding of bond markets and instruments.
Revised and updated version of Benjamin Graham's classic book, The Intelligent Investor. It provides a comprehensive overview of value investing and risk management.
Provides a comprehensive overview of value investing, with a focus on the principles and practices of Benjamin Graham and Warren Buffett. It valuable reference for those seeking a deep understanding of value investing.

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