Python for Finance: Investment Fundamentals & Data Analytics from Udemy

Do you want to learn how to use Python in a working environment?

Are you a young professional interested in a career in Data Science?

Would you like to explore how Python can be applied in the world of Finance and solve portfolio optimization problems?

If so, then this is the right course for you.

We are proud to present Python for Finance: Investment Fundamentals and Data Analytics – one of the most interesting and complete courses we have created so far.

An exciting journey from Beginner to Pro.

If you are a complete beginner and you know nothing about coding, don’t worry. We start from the very basics. The first part of the course is ideal for beginners and people who want to brush up on their Python skills. And then, once we have covered the basics, we will be ready to tackle financial calculations and portfolio optimization tasks.

Finance Fundamentals.

And it gets even better. The Finance part of this course will teach you in-demand real-world skills employers are looking for. To be a high-paid programmer, you will have to specialize in a particular area of interest. In this course, we will focus on Finance, covering many tools and techniques used by finance professionals daily:

Rate of return of stocks
Risk of stocks
Rate of return of stock portfolios
Risk of stock portfolios
Correlation between stocks
Covariance
Diversifiable and non-diversifiable risk
Regression analysis
Alpha and Beta coefficients
Measuring a regression’s explanatory power with R^2
Markowitz Efficient frontier calculation
Capital asset pricing model
Sharpe ratio
Multivariate regression analysis
Monte Carlo simulations
Using Monte Carlo in a Corporate Finance context
Derivatives and type of derivatives
Applying the Black Scholes formula
Using Monte Carlo for options pricing
Using Monte Carlo for stock pricing

Everything is included. All these topics are first explained in theory and then applied in practice using Python. This is the best way to reinforce what you have learned.

This course is great, even if you are an experienced programmer, as we will teach you a great deal about the finance theory and mechanics you will need if you start working in a finance context.

Teaching is our passion.

Everything we teach is explained in the best way possible. Plain and clear English, relevant examples and time-efficient lessons. Don’t forget to check some of our sample videos to see how easy they are to understand.

If you have questions, contact us. We enjoy communicating with our students and take pride in responding very soon. Our goal is to create high-end materials that are fun, exciting, career-enhancing, and rewarding.

What makes this training different from the rest of the Programming and Finance courses out there?

This course will teach you how to code in Python and apply these skills in the world of Finance. It is both a Programming and a Finance course.
High-quality production – HD video and animations (this isn’t a collection of boring lectures. )
Knowledgeable instructors. Martin is a quant geek fascinated by the world of Data Science, and Ned is a finance practitioner with several years of experience who loves explaining Finance topics in real life and on Udemy.
Complete training – we will cover all the major topics you need to understand to start coding in Python and solving the financial topics introduced in this course (and they are many. )
Extensive Case Studies that will help you reinforce everything you’ve learned.
Course Challenge: Solve our exercises and make this course an interactive experience.
Excellent support: If you don’t understand a concept or you simply want to drop us a line, you’ll receive an answer within 1 business day.
Dynamic: We don’t want to waste your time. The instructors set a very good pace throughout the whole course.

Please don’t forget that the course comes with Udemy’s 30-day unconditional, money-back-in-full guarantee. And why not give such a guarantee, when we are convinced the course will provide a ton of value for you?

Click 'Buy now' to start your learning journey today. We will be happy to see you inside the course.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Learn how to code in python
Take your career to the next level
Work with python’s conditional statements, functions, sequences, and loops
Work with scientific packages, like numpy
Understand how to use the data analysis toolkit, pandas
Plot graphs with matplotlib
Use python to solve real-world tasks
Get a job as a data scientist with python
Acquire solid financial acumen
Carry out in-depth investment analysis
Build investment portfolios

Calculate risk and return of individual securities
Calculate risk and return of investment portfolios
Apply best practices when working with financial data
Use univariate and multivariate regression analysis
Understand the capital asset pricing model
Compare securities in terms of their sharpe ratio
Perform monte carlo simulations
Learn how to price options by applying the black scholes formula
Be comfortable applying for a developer job in a financial institution
Show more
Show less

Learn how to code in python
Take your career to the next level
Work with python’s conditional statements, functions, sequences, and loops
Work with scientific packages, like numpy
Understand how to use the data analysis toolkit, pandas
Plot graphs with matplotlib
Use python to solve real-world tasks
Get a job as a data scientist with python
Acquire solid financial acumen
Carry out in-depth investment analysis
Build investment portfolios
Calculate risk and return of individual securities
Calculate risk and return of investment portfolios
Apply best practices when working with financial data
Use univariate and multivariate regression analysis
Understand the capital asset pricing model
Compare securities in terms of their sharpe ratio
Perform monte carlo simulations
Learn how to price options by applying the black scholes formula
Be comfortable applying for a developer job in a financial institution
Show more
Show less

Syllabus

Welcome! Course Introduction

In this video, we will discuss:

who are the instructors of the course
what the course is about
who it is for
the wide range of topics covered in this course

Learn how to navigate in the Course Content section and find the resources available for all lectures.

In this lesson, we will explain what you must know about programming if you are just getting started.

Python is a programming language characterized as:

open-source
general-purpose
high-level

You must install Python and Jupyter on your computer. If you have them, you can still complete this lecture, because we will say a few interesting things about Jupyter.

There are various ways to install Python on your computer. But especially for new users, it is highly recommended to choose Anaconda. It will install, not only Python, but also the Jupyter Notebook App and many scientific computing and data science packages.

In this lesson, we’ll do a quick tour of the Jupyter dashboard. You’ll see how to:

manipulate files and folders in the Jupyter dashboard
upload and open Python files in Jupyter
create new Python files in Jupyter

Now that we know more about the dashboard, we are ready to examine the shell and see how to code in Jupyter.

In this lesson, we will start coding. We will also introduce you to one of the main concepts in programming – variables.

Two distinct numeric types in Python are:

integers
floating points (floats)

In this lesson, we’ll learn about another type of value that can be useful when working in Python – strings. Strings are text values composed of a sequence of characters.

We’ll continue to build our Python syntax knowledge. The next topic on our agenda is arithmetic operators:

addition (+)
subtraction (-)
division (/)
multiplication (*)
remainder (%)
exponentiation (**)

Here, we will explore another useful operator - the double equality sign.

In this video, we will show you how to reassign variables in Python.

Learn how to use the hash sign for writing comments in Python.

In this video, we will show you a neat trick that will be extremely valuable when you become an advanced Python programmer and work with large amounts of code – using the forward slash to finish your code on a new line.

Let’s look at another important concept that will help us a great deal when working in Python - indexing. This is a technique we’ll use frequently, later in the course, especially when we focus on Python’s application in the world of finance.

The next concept for programming in Python that we will see is fundamental – it is called indentation. The way you apply it in practice is important, as this will be the only mechanism to communicate your ideas to the machine properly.

In this section, we will learn more about the operators that will help us in our work in Python. We will start with comparison operators.

Briefly, the logical operators in Python are the words “not”, “and”, and “or”. They compare a certain number of statements and return Boolean values – “True” or “False” – hence their second name, Boolean operators.

Values act as the most basic (or primitive) data elements to form not only variables, but expressions. In this video, you will learn about a prominent example of conditional statements in Python – the IF statement.

Here, we will focus on adding an ELSE statement to a conditional in Python.

We’ll show you an elegant way to add a second IF statement to one of our expressions. This is done with the help of the ELIF keyword.

You probably noticed we talked about Boolean values a few times. We would like to provide a short video that explains their application.

In this section, we’ll step it up a notch. Starting from this lesson, we’ll deal with Python’s functions - an invaluable tool for programmers.

Our next task will be to create a function with a parameter.

In this lesson, we will explore another way to organize the definition of a function.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Teaches a skill, knowledge, and tool that is highly relevant to industry

Teaches skills that are useful for personal growth and development

Covers a unique perspective or idea that may add color to other topics

Takes a creative approach to established practice

Requires that students come in with extensive background knowledge first

Reviews summary

Python for finance and data analytics

According to learners, this course provides a solid foundation in both Python programming and its application to financial analysis. Students particularly praise the clear explanations and hands-on coding examples that help bridge the gap between theory and practice. Many found it highly relevant for career development in finance or data science roles. While the blend of Python and Finance topics is a key strength, some reviewers note that the Python basics section might be slow for those already familiar with coding, and the finance concepts might be too introductory for experienced finance professionals. Overall, it is considered a practical and well-structured course covering essential tools and concepts like portfolio optimization, CAPM, and Monte Carlo simulations.

Pacing differs in value depending on prior knowledge.

"The initial Python section was quite slow for me since I already knew Python, but great for complete beginners."

"If you have a strong finance background, some of the early finance theory might feel redundant."

"As a beginner, the pace was perfect, starting from scratch and building up complexity gradually."

Covers essential finance topics like CAPM, Markowitz.

"The course covers important finance concepts like CAPM, Sharpe Ratio, and Monte Carlo simulations using Python."

"I found the sections on portfolio optimization and the efficient frontier particularly valuable."

"Applying the Black Scholes formula in Python was a highlight for me."

Helps build skills relevant to finance and data roles.

"I feel much more confident applying for jobs that require Python for finance after taking this course."

"This course is highly relevant for anyone looking to work in financial data analysis."

"The skills taught here are definitely in-demand in the current job market."

Concepts are explained in an easy-to-understand manner.

"The instructors explain complex topics simply, making them easy to grasp for beginners."

"I really appreciated how clear and concise the lectures were, especially the finance sections."

"Everything was explained step-by-step, which made learning both Python and finance fundamentals straightforward."

Focuses on applying Python to real finance tasks.

"This course does a great job teaching Python and immediately showing how to apply it to financial problems."

"I learned how to use practical tools and strategies that I could apply immediately to my work."

"The blend of Python coding and financial concepts is perfect for understanding real-world finance applications."

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 Python for Finance: Investment Fundamentals & Data Analytics with these activities:

Review basic programming concepts

Show steps

Refresh your understanding of programming basics, such as variables, data types, and operators, to strengthen your foundation for this Python course.

Browse courses on Programming Fundamentals

Show steps

Review notes or online resources on programming fundamentals
Complete practice exercises or quizzes to test your understanding

Follow online tutorials on Python finance

Show steps

Enhance your knowledge of Python in the context of finance by following online tutorials, expanding your understanding of key financial concepts and their implementation in Python.

Browse courses on Finance Fundamentals

Show steps

Identify reputable online platforms offering Python finance tutorials
Choose tutorials that align with your interests and learning goals
Follow the tutorials step-by-step, taking notes and practicing exercises

Practice coding exercises

Show steps

Regularly practice coding exercises to reinforce your understanding of Python syntax, functions, and loops, improving your coding proficiency.

Browse courses on Python Syntax

Show steps

Find online coding challenges or exercises
Allocate dedicated time for practice
Review solutions and identify areas for improvement

Show all three activities

Career center

Learners who complete Python for Finance: Investment Fundamentals & Data Analytics will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Quant Analyst

Quant Analysts combine financial modeling, mathematical and statistical skills, and computer programming to analyze and solve complex financial problems. This course will help build a foundation in all three of these areas, making it an excellent starting point for those who wish to enter this field. The course covers topics such as Python programming, financial calculations, portfolio optimization, and risk management, all of which are essential to success as a Quant Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quant Analyst

Data Scientist

Data Scientists use their knowledge of statistics, programming, and machine learning to extract insights from data. This course will help build a foundation in all three of these areas, making it an excellent starting point for those who wish to enter this field. The course covers topics such as Python programming, data analysis, machine learning, and data visualization, all of which are essential to success as a Data Scientist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts use their knowledge of finance, economics, and accounting to analyze and make recommendations on investments. This course will help build a foundation in all three of these areas, making it an excellent starting point for those who wish to enter this field. The course covers topics such as financial statement analysis, valuation, and portfolio management, all of which are essential to success as a Financial Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Investment Manager

Investment Managers are responsible for managing and growing investment portfolios for their clients. This course will help build a foundation in the skills and knowledge necessary for success in this field, including financial analysis, portfolio management, and risk management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Investment Manager

Portfolio Manager

Portfolio Managers are responsible for managing and growing investment portfolios for their clients. This course will help build a foundation in the skills and knowledge necessary for success in this field, including financial analysis, portfolio management, and risk management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Portfolio Manager

Risk Manager

Risk Managers are responsible for identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks for their organizations. This course will help build a foundation in the skills and knowledge necessary for success in this field, including financial analysis, risk management, and portfolio management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Risk Manager

Financial Planner

Financial Planners help individuals and families plan for their financial futures. This course will help build a foundation in the skills and knowledge necessary for success in this field, including financial planning, investment advice, and estate planning.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Planner

Actuary

Actuaries use their knowledge of mathematics, statistics, and economics to assess and manage risk. This course will help build a foundation in all three of these areas, making it an excellent starting point for those who wish to enter this field. The course covers topics such as probability, statistics, and financial mathematics, all of which are essential to success as an Actuary.

See salaries and explore the career path for Actuary

Auditor

Auditors are responsible for examining and verifying the financial records of organizations. This course will help build a foundation in the skills and knowledge necessary for success in this field, including accounting, auditing, and financial analysis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Auditor

Tax Accountant

Tax Accountants are responsible for preparing and filing tax returns for individuals and businesses. This course will help build a foundation in the skills and knowledge necessary for success in this field, including accounting, taxation, and financial analysis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Tax Accountant

Management Consultant

Management Consultants help organizations improve their performance. This course may help build a foundation in the skills and knowledge necessary for success in this field, including problem-solving, analytical thinking, and communication. The course covers topics such as business analysis, strategy development, and project management, all of which are relevant to the work of Management Consultants.

See salaries and explore the career path for Management Consultant

Financial Advisor

Financial Advisors help individuals and families plan for their financial futures. This course may help build a foundation in the skills and knowledge necessary for success in this field, including financial planning, investment advice, and estate planning. The course covers topics such as financial markets, investment strategies, and risk management, all of which are relevant to the work of Financial Advisors.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Advisor

Investment Banker

Investment Bankers help companies raise capital and provide financial advice. This course may help build a foundation in the skills and knowledge necessary for success in this field, including financial analysis, valuation, and capital markets. The course covers topics such as mergers and acquisitions, debt and equity financing, and investment banking.

See salaries and explore the career path for Investment Banker

Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software applications. This course will help build a foundation in the skills and knowledge necessary for success in this field, including programming, software design, and data structures. The course covers topics such as Python programming, object-oriented programming, and software development methodologies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Data Analyst

Data Analysts use their knowledge of statistics, programming, and data analysis to extract insights from data. This course will help build a foundation in all three of these areas, making it an excellent starting point for those who wish to enter this field. The course covers topics such as Python programming, data analysis, machine learning, and data visualization, all of which are essential to success as a Data Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst