The Role of Global Capital Markets from Coursera

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Syllabus

An Introduction to Key Global Markets

We begin this course by exploring the importance of the financial market environment on corporate financial decision-making. Using the example of Kellogg’s, we cover the key financial markets that are reflected in the company’s financial statements. We briefly introduce their key functions and features in providing flow of funds, price discovery and risk management.

Market Functions and the Key Players

This week we discuss the value added by financial markets to corporate development and economic growth. We cover the key roles of price discovery, flow of funds, efficient capital allocation, portfolio diversification and corporate governance. Introducing the influential participants in financial markets, we discuss how they contribute to the efficiency of those markets. We stress the important empirical result that countries with more developed and efficient financial markets experience faster economic growth and development.

Opportunities and Constraints in Global Markets

In week 3 we discuss the limits to economic growth imposed by imperfections and inefficiencies in global financial markets. The need for liquidity (and the impact of a lack of liquidity) to guarantee efficient markets has been evident in the recent financial crisis. We also discuss the necessary trust in, and integrity of financial markets. Governments, regulators and rating agencies fulfil an important role to secure trust in the fairness and integrity of markets, but there is also a strong incentive for self regulation of markets.

Identifying Links Between Global Markets

In the final week of this course we focus our discussion on the interrelatedness of (global) financial markets. What happens on the New York Stock Exchange affects equity markets worldwide, and a crash in the commodity market may trigger a sharp depreciation in a currency on the foreign exchange market. We discuss how this “web” of capital markets contributed to the Global Financial Crisis, and what the future holds for financial markets.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores global financial markets, which is essential knowledge for corporate finance professionals

Taught by instructors with extensive real-world experience in corporate finance

Examines global markets' risks and opportunities, which is crucial for managing corporate financial risk

Requires a working understanding of fundamental corporate finance concepts

Reviews summary

Refresher on global capital markets

Learners say this course on global capital markets is a solid refresher that offers a well-rounded overview of financial concepts. While the final project seems disconnected from the material, most students recommend the course to others.

Concepts are explained clearly.

"This course gave me a good overview of global capital markets."

"I learned a lot about the different types of financial markets and how they work."

"The professors were knowledgeable and the material was well-organized."

Final project is detached from material.

"The final project was a bit disappointing."

"It didn't seem to be relevant to the material we covered in class."

"I wish the final project had been more closely tied to the course 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 The Role of Global Capital Markets with these activities:

Explore online tutorials on financial data analysis

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Will help you learn the skills required for analyzing financial data, and prepare you for the financial analysis portion of the course.

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Identify online tutorials that cover financial data analysis.
Complete the tutorials and practice the techniques.

Solve practice problems on global financial markets

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Will help you practice applying the concepts covered in class, as global financial markets can be complex and involve a lot of moving parts, making it easy to get lost in the details.

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Find practice problems on global financial markets.
Solve the problems and check your answers against the solutions provided.

Review International Financial Management by Jeff Madura

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Focuses on some of the most advanced topics related to global financial markets including how to manage risk.

View Financial Markets & Institutions on Amazon

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Read the chapters related to the lecture materials.
Write down notes on the key concepts.
Review your notes and take practice quizzes.

Four other activities

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Join or create a study group

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Be sure to compare your understanding of global financial markets with peers to get a comprehensive view.

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Find classmates to form a study group.
Set regular meeting times.
Discuss the course materials, ask questions, and work together to solve problems.

Create a financial market glossary

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Creating a custom glossary will help students refresh the key terms covered in class and recall the context in which each is used.

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Identify (using your lecture notes) and define 10-15 key terms related to global financial markets.
Find examples of each term in financial news articles.
Organize your glossary by topic or theme.

Volunteer at a financial institution

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Will expose you to real-world financial markets and give you a chance to apply your knowledge in a practical setting.

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Research financial institutions in your area.
Contact the institutions and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Complete the necessary training and background checks.
Work on projects or assignments related to global financial markets.

Contribute to an open-source project on financial data analysis

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Will help you develop your skills in financial data analysis and contribute to the open-source community.

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Identify an open-source project on financial data analysis.
Contact the project maintainers and express your interest in contributing.
Fork the project and make changes to the code.
Submit a pull request with your changes.

Career center

Learners who complete The Role of Global Capital Markets will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Financial Planner

Financial Planners help individuals and families plan for their financial future. They assess their clients' financial needs and goals, and they develop plans to help them achieve those goals. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Financial Planner, including how to analyze financial data, create financial plans, and manage risk.

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Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts research, analyze, and interpret financial data to help their employers make better business decisions. They use their knowledge of economics, finance, and accounting to evaluate stocks, bonds, and other investments, and they make recommendations on how to manage money. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Financial Analyst, including how to analyze financial data, make investment recommendations, and manage risk.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Investment Banker

Investment Bankers help companies and governments raise money by issuing stocks and bonds. They also advise companies on mergers and acquisitions. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Investment Banker, including how to analyze financial data, create financial models, and negotiate deals.

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Portfolio Manager

Portfolio Managers manage portfolios of investments for their clients. They make decisions about which investments to buy and sell in order to meet their clients' financial goals. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Portfolio Manager, including how to analyze financial data, create financial models, and manage risk.

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Risk Manager

Risk Managers identify, assess, and manage risks for their organizations. They develop and implement risk management plans, and they work to minimize the impact of risks on their organizations. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Risk Manager, including how to identify and assess risks, and develop and implement risk management plans.

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Auditor

Auditors examine and evaluate financial records to ensure that they are accurate and compliant with regulations. They also make recommendations on how to improve financial reporting and internal controls. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Auditor, including how to analyze financial data, identify risks, and make recommendations on how to improve financial reporting and internal controls.

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Financial Consultant

Financial Consultants provide financial advice to individuals, businesses, and governments. They help their clients make informed decisions about their financial future. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Financial Consultant, including how to analyze financial data, create financial plans, and manage risk.

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Tax Accountant

Tax Accountants prepare and file tax returns for individuals and businesses. They also advise clients on tax laws and regulations. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Tax Accountant, including how to analyze financial data, prepare and file tax returns, and advise clients on tax laws and regulations.

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Management Consultant

Management Consultants help businesses improve their performance. They analyze business processes, identify areas for improvement, and develop and implement solutions. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Management Consultant, including how to analyze financial data, identify risks, and develop and implement solutions.

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Economist

Economists study the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. This course may be useful for economists who want to learn more about the global capital markets and how they can be used to analyze economic data and make predictions.

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Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurs start and run their own businesses. This course may be useful for entrepreneurs who want to learn more about the global capital markets and how they can be used to raise money for their businesses.

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Teacher

Teachers educate students in a variety of subjects. They create lesson plans, deliver instruction, and assess student learning. This course may be useful for teachers who want to learn more about the global capital markets and how they can be used to teach students about finance and economics.

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Lawyer

Lawyers represent clients in court and provide legal advice. This course may be useful for lawyers who want to learn more about the global capital markets and how they can be used to represent clients in financial matters.

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Journalist

Journalists write, edit, and produce news stories for newspapers, magazines, and other media outlets. This course may be useful for journalists who want to learn more about the global capital markets and how they can be used to report on financial news.

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Government Official

Government Officials work for government agencies and provide services to the public. This course may be useful for Government Officials who want to learn more about the global capital markets and how they can be used to support economic development and growth.

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