Learning outcomes

On completing the Professional Certificate in Captial Markets, Investments and Funds, you will be expected to:

• Describe and explain the theory and practice underpinning capital markets activities, and the operations required to facilitate investors in those markets in achieving their investments goals;
• Identify capital markets main participants, outline their roles and also the variety of products commonly traded through capital markets and their settlement and reporting cycles. Explain how the funds industry interacts with capital markets and capital markets participants;
• Outline and discuss the key market drivers of capital markets operations and fund performance;
• Understand the key processes which underpin a robust risk management system in the funds area, and investigate cases when investments / investment strategies fail in implementation or failures in the trade life cycle;
• Have an understanding of the regulatory regime for funds and review the consequences of regulatory change across capital markets from the perspective of an investment funds manager, distributor, funds services providers, and the investor in those funds;
• Drawing on your learning, identify and pursue career enhancement / professional development opportunities within capital markets and the funds industry.

Who is the course for?

Professionals in the funds, capital markets and asset management industry, drawing on and integrating key areas of essential knowledge, theory and practice required by individuals associated with the investment and risk management processes. It is designed for:

• Capital Markets and Banking specialists
• Equity and Debt Raising professionals
• Corporate Finance advisers
• Asset managers and fund service providers
• Accountants, lawyers and other professionals who provide advise in the areas of capital markets, investment and funds
• Those involved in wealth management and advise
• Internal Audit staff who assess investment and risk processes
• Compliance professionals
• Fund Managers / Fund Promoters
• Financial control staff with responsibility for budget setting, capital allocation, financial performance evaluation and financial/regulatory reporting

Module:

Capital Markets, Investments and Funds

UNDERSTANDING FINANCIAL MARKETS

Financial markets history: Equities, Bonds, Alternatives markets. Evolution and importance of capital markets. Understanding the core financial markets and history of asset prices.

PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT PART 1: ECONOMICS OF INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

Economics for Equity, Bonds, Property, Cash, other Alternatives. Impact of economic cycles on market returns and asset performance. Impact of Monetary Authorities and of Fiscal policy.

KEY LEGAL REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS PART 1

Funds & Investments Regulations for capital markets, market participants and market structure. Markets Regulations.

PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT PART 2: A) MATHEMATICS OF RISK & RETURN

Measuring of performance, VAR, IRRs, Beta, Duration. Time Values, Discounting, Bond returns.

B) ASSET VALUATION

Key drivers of valuation – Bonds, Equities, Property, Alternatives. Valuation models and techniques.

RISK MANAGEMENT

Market Risk, Volatility, Liquidity Risk , Climate Risk, FX Risk, Interest Rate Risk. 3 Lines of Defence, Regulatory Reporting Requirements.

HEDGING PORTFOLIOS & DERIVATIVES

Key Uses of Derivatives – Calls, Puts, Futures, Interest Rate SWAPs, Total Return SWAPs, Credit Derivatives.

ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

Real Estate, Private Equity/Private Credit/Debt, Hedge Funds , Commodities, Infrastructure, Digital Assets.

PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT PART 3: BUILDING/MANAGING PORTFOLIOS

Fund development, investment selection, investment management. Case studies in investment management.

KEY LEGAL REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS PART 2

Funds Regulations / Funds Law-UCITS / AIFMD / PRIIPS / CP86. Key fund structures and regulations. Protection of institutional and retail investors. Designated person for Investment Management (PCF 39D).

SUSTAINABLE INVESTING

ESG, Climate Risk Investing, Investing for Transition, SFDR Article 6,8,9 Investment Funds.

PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT PART 4: INVESTMENTS & FUNDS DUE DILIGENCE

Key due diligence questions in building and managing assets and investment funds portfolios for all major fund industry participants.

Trainer Profile