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Fundamentals of Market Structure

Taught by instructors with decades of experience on Wall Street, this economics and finance course provides students with a basic foundation in market structure, market structure science, and market mechanics.

You’ll learn about the major elements and concepts that form a market and determine its development. You’ll also learn about key market participants including market makers, brokers, asset managers, hedge funds and more.

This free course is from the New York Institute of Finance, a highly sought after designation that leading financial services and employers know and trust globally.

This free course is a great introduction to market structure. For a deeper understanding of financial markets and to be qualified to perform in the real world and meet the demanding realities of finance, see the NYIF’s professional certificate course Electronic Trading in Financial Markets.

What you'll learn

Recognize markets in general
Recognize the two dimensions of market structure
Identify the differences between OTC and Exchange Systems
Recognize how to define market participants
Explain the concept of liquidity
Identify the key elements of financial market mechanics
Recognize how transaction frequency influences market evolution

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What's inside

Learning objectives

Recognize markets in general
Recognize the two dimensions of market structure
Identify the differences between otc and exchange systems
Recognize how to define market participants

Explain the concept of liquidity
Identify the key elements of financial market mechanics
Recognize how transaction frequency influences market evolution

Recognize markets in general
Recognize the two dimensions of market structure
Identify the differences between otc and exchange systems
Recognize how to define market participants
Explain the concept of liquidity
Identify the key elements of financial market mechanics
Recognize how transaction frequency influences market evolution

Syllabus

Lesson 1: Introduction to Market Structure

Lesson 2: Introduction to Market Structure Science

Lesson 3: Fundamentals of Market Mechanics

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores market structure, a topic foundational to financial markets and investing

Taught by instructors with decades of experience on Wall Street

Delivered by New York Institute of Finance, a highly respected institution in the finance industry

Provides a strong basis for understanding the complex world of financial markets

Introduces learners to the major elements and ideas that shape the development of markets

Covers key participants in the market, including brokers, asset managers, and hedge funds

Suitable for learners interested in learning the basics of market structure

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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 Fundamentals of Market Structure with these activities:

Review the basics of economics and finance

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Refresh your knowledge of basic economic and financial concepts to strengthen your understanding of market structure.

Browse courses on Economics

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Review textbooks or online resources on basic economics and finance.
Attend a workshop or seminar on economic fundamentals.

Review 'Market Structure in Practice' by Maureen O'Hara

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Review the book 'Market Structure in Practice' by Maureen O'Hara to gain in-depth insights into the practical applications and implications of market structure.

View ETFs and Systemic Risks on Amazon

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Read the book thoroughly, taking notes and highlighting key concepts.
Summarize the main arguments and evidence presented in the book.

Practice identifying different types of markets

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Practice identifying different types of markets, such as OTC and exchange systems, to enhance your understanding of market structure.

Browse courses on Market Structure

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Complete online quizzes or practice exercises on market structure.
Analyze real-world examples of different market structures.

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Explore the role of market participants in market structure

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Follow guided tutorials to explore the roles and responsibilities of various market participants, such as market makers and asset managers, in shaping market structure.

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Watch videos or read articles on the different types of market participants.
Attend a webinar or online course on market participation.

Join a study group to discuss market structure concepts

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Join a study group to engage in discussions and exchange perspectives on market structure concepts, enhancing your understanding through peer collaboration.

Browse courses on Market Structure

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Find or form a study group with classmates or fellow learners.
Meet regularly to discuss assigned readings or topics.

Create a presentation on the evolution of market structure

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Create a presentation to showcase your understanding of how market structure has evolved over time, considering factors such as transaction frequency and technological advancements.

Browse courses on Market Structure

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Research the history and evolution of market structure.
Analyze data and trends related to market evolution.
Design and develop a visually appealing presentation.

Contribute to an open-source project related to market structure

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Contribute to an open-source project related to market structure to deepen your understanding of practical applications, engage with a community of experts, and showcase your skills.

Browse courses on Market Structure

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Identify an open-source project related to market structure.
Review the project's codebase and documentation.
Make a meaningful contribution to the project, such as adding a new feature or fixing a bug.

Career center

Learners who complete Fundamentals of Market Structure will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts use their knowledge of markets and how they operate to provide advice to clients. They rely on knowledge of economic and market structure principles, as well as financial market mechanics. Some Financial Analysts specialize in a particular financial instrument, such as bonds or equity.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Financial Risk Manager

Financial Risk Managers assess and mitigate financial risk for companies. They rely on financial analysis to understand where and how a company may be exposed to financial risk. They also rely on a deep understanding of advanced financial market mechanics.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Risk Manager

Financial Consultant

Financial Consultants provide advice to clients on a wide range of financial matters. They must understand financial markets, which includes the market structure and trading mechanics. Most Financial Consultants have a background in financial advising and knowledge of investing.

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Market Analyst

Market Analysts provide analysis and insight into the behavior of financial markets. They do this for a variety of purposes, such as investment decision-making and risk management. Understanding market structure and mechanics is critical to success in this role.

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Portfolio Manager

Portfolio Managers are responsible for managing the investments of a group of clients. They rely on a deep understanding of financial markets, which includes market structure and mechanics, to make sound investment decisions.

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Investment Banker

Investment Bankers provide financial advice to companies and governments. They often work on mergers and acquisitions, and so they need to understand how markets operate. This includes understanding market structure, market mechanics, and liquidity.

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Trader

Traders buy and sell financial instruments for their own account or on behalf of clients. They rely on their understanding of financial markets, which includes market structure, mechanics, and liquidity.

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Economist

Economists study the economy and how it works. They use economic models and data to forecast economic trends and make policy recommendations. They must have a deep understanding of financial markets and economic theory, including market structure and mechanics.

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Actuary

Actuaries use their knowledge of mathematics and statistics to assess risk and uncertainty. They often work in the insurance industry or in financial services. They must have a deep understanding of financial markets, which includes the role that market structure plays in determining risk and uncertainty.

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Financial Planner

Financial Planners provide advice to individuals and families on how to manage their finances. They must understand financial markets, which includes market structure, mechanics, and liquidity.

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Quantitative Analyst

Quantitative Analysts use mathematics and statistics to analyze financial data. They develop and use models to forecast financial trends and make investment decisions. They rely on a deep understanding of financial markets, which includes market structure and mechanics.

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Hedge Fund Manager

Hedge Fund Managers are responsible for managing the investments of a hedge fund. They rely on a deep understanding of financial markets, which includes market structure and mechanics. They also rely on a deep understanding of advanced financial market mechanics.

See salaries and explore the career path for Hedge Fund Manager

Private Equity Investor

Private Equity Investors invest in private companies. They must understand financial markets, including market structure and mechanics, in order to make sound investment decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Private Equity Investor

Financial Journalist

Financial Journalists write about financial markets and the economy. They must have a deep understanding of financial markets, including market structure and mechanics, in order to write accurate and informative articles.

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Real Estate Investor

Real Estate Investors invest in real estate. They must understand financial markets, including market structure and mechanics, in order to make sound investment decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Real Estate Investor

Reading list

We've selected 21 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 Fundamentals of Market Structure.

Monetary Policy, Inflation, and the Business Cycle

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This handbook provides a comprehensive overview of the latest research in market microstructure, covering topics such as market design, liquidity, order flow, and price formation.

Fundamentals of Market Structure

What you'll learn

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

Good to know

Save this course

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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