Course Summary:

Going beyond simply introducing the basic technical products, this rigorous training program discusses theories, approaches, and relationships within the capital markets. Through interactive case studies using actual market data, participants will gain a thorough understanding of market dynamics by learning to analyze current market conditions and form educated views about future markets. The learning environment is highly interactive, and enhanced by the live simulations, mini cases/projects/debates and the use of tools like Excel and Bloomberg.

This course ensures that all capital market-facing executives are aligned across IR principles, processes and goals and allows for the improvement of the current IR programme to align with global best practice.

Course Objectives:

• How to develop an impactful IR strategy that will effectively raise the company's profile in an increasingly competitive global market
• The value of a clearly defined investment thesis and how to achieve it
• How to ensure a sound financial image through transparent and effective communication
• Clear guidelines on how to communicate value and deliver compelling messages on corporate strategies, major transactions and returns to shareholders
• How to organize the Investor Relations function for maximum efficiency and impact: team size, skill sets, budgets, reporting lines, measurement tools 

Course Outline

Macro Economics and Capital Markets

• Defining an economic environment
• Managing an economic environment
• Central banks
• Global interest rates
• Bloomberg Financial Conditions Monitor “FCON”
• Purpose of the capital markets
• Listed vs. OTC markets
• Clearing houses
• Two way markets and types of markets

Currency and Commodity Markets

• F/X market fundamentals
• Forward markets
• Commodity market fundamentals
• Types of traded commodities
• 3:2:1 crack spread

Equity Capital Markets and Valuation

• Trading venues
• Trading conventions
• Equity security dynamics
• ETFs and closed end funds
• Equity fundamentals
• Equity valuation basics
• Estimating costs of capital
• Equity valuation from capital markets perspective

Fixed Income

• What is a bond
• Types of bonds
• Bond math
• Bond pricing
• Interest rate risk
• Yield curves
• Credit spreads

Derivatives

• Futures and Forwards
• Financial futures
• Cash and carry arbitrage
• Swaps
• Types of Swaps
• Equity options