What are financial markets?

Financial markets are the online trading mechanisms where traders and investors work to buy and sell stocks and bonds, commodities and derivatives, foreign exchange, and more. There are stock markets, bond markets, cryptocurrency markets, foreign exchange markets, and others. Businesses go to financial markets as well to raise money for expansion, and companies join financial markets to raise visibility and reduce risks. Financial markets exist to create financial liquidity for companies to grow and for entrepreneurs to seek funding for their business ventures. Financial markets can increase investor confidence in an economy by making information available, thus reducing risk.

Why is it important to learn about financial markets?

It's important to learn about financial markets to gain insights on risk management, financial principles, and stock trading and see how the banking and securities industries operate. The financial markets represent the lifeblood of the world's economic drivers, including the major markets around the world, as well as the lesser ones in different countries. You'll need to know how financial markets operate, if you want to work in the area of finance, as a trader, investor, entrepreneur, or within a company as a financial analyst, market maker, or similar role.

What career opportunities can arise from learning about financial markets?

A few career opportunities available to someone with a good education and interest in financial markets include portfolio manager, bond trader, risk manager, investment banker, and similar roles. After proving yourself in these jobs, there may be opportunities later in venture capital, underwriting, and private equity fields. In the stock trading area, there may be jobs open to become a buy-side trader, a sell-side trader, or a hedge fund trader. Working in the financial markets ensures there are many other interesting areas to move into and explore later on.

How can taking online courses help me learn about financial markets?

Taking online courses about the financial markets can give you knowledge about interest rates, stocks, bonds, commodities, and more. You can learn how and why stocks and bonds move up and down relative to risk factors. You may also learn to analyze a stock's performance over time and learn more about risk and return opportunities. Over time, you may get insights into the operations of hedge funds, stock portfolios, and emerging markets.

What are the benefits of taking an online Financial Markets course?

Online Financial Markets courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Financial Markets skills. Choose from a wide range of Financial Markets courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

What Financial Markets courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Financial Markets, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Top Financial Markets Courses - Learn Financial Markets Online

Explore the Financial Markets Course Catalog

Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Matemáticas financieras
Skills you'll gain: Business Mathematics, Financial Management, Finance, Investment Management, Financial Analysis, Loans, Investments, Cash Flows, Corporate Finance, Applied Mathematics
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
1.2K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Pennsylvania
Wharton Business Foundations Capstone
Skills you'll gain: Marketing Planning, Peer Review, Analysis, Business Analysis, Competitive Analysis, Product Development, Project Design, Entrepreneurship, Feasibility Studies, New Business Development, Marketing Strategies, Business, Business Strategy, Constructive Feedback
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
372 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Rutgers the State University of New Jersey
Supply Market Analysis
Skills you'll gain: Market Analysis, Supply Management, Supplier Management, Competitive Analysis, Strategic Sourcing, Financial Analysis, Market Dynamics, Supply Chain Management, Market Intelligence, Business Strategy
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
144 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
FinTech Security and Regulation (RegTech)
Skills you'll gain: Financial Regulation, Financial Regulations, Bank Regulations, FinTech, Financial Services, Law, Regulation, and Compliance, Mobile Banking, Regulatory Requirements, Compliance Management, Data Security, Cybersecurity, Insurance, Blockchain, Security Controls, Investigation
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
297 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Interactive Brokers
U.S. Bond Investing Basics
Skills you'll gain: Risk Analysis, Securities Trading, Investments, Analysis, Financial Market, Tax, Financial Regulations, Risk Management, Capital Markets, Financial Analysis, Credit Risk, Income Tax, Market Dynamics, Due Diligence, Corporate Finance
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
60 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Washington
Speaking to inform: Discussing complex ideas with clear explanations and dynamic slides
Skills you'll gain: Presentations, Public Speaking, Verbal Communication Skills, Communication, Storytelling, Constructive Feedback, Data Visualization, Target Audience, Analysis, Adaptability
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
425 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Entrepreneurship II: Preparing for Launch
Skills you'll gain: Entrepreneurship, Go To Market Strategy, Business Planning, New Business Development, Financial Forecasting, Business Strategies, Growth Strategies, Presentations, Business Modeling, Financial Analysis, Customer Acquisition Management, Team Management, Fundraising, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
737 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Columbia University
Optimization Methods in Asset Management
Skills you'll gain: Portfolio Management, Investment Management, Asset Management, Market Liquidity, Risk Management, Financial Market, Equities, Capital Markets, Statistical Methods, Risk Analysis, Securities Trading, Market Dynamics, Financial Analysis, Market Data, Statistical Analysis
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
43 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo
Emprendimientos creativos
Skills you'll gain: Entrepreneurship, Design Thinking, Entrepreneurial Finance, Innovation, New Business Development, Financial Management, Business Planning, Lean Methodologies, Creativity, Project Finance, Business, Fundraising
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
435 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
Yale University
Mercados financeiros
Skills you'll gain: Investment Banking, Financial Regulation, Financial Market, Portfolio Management, Corporate Finance, Securities (Finance), Risk Management, Finance, Behavioral Economics, Capital Markets, Banking, Insurance, Equities, Brokerage, Governance, Non-Profit Accounting, Derivatives, Mortgage Loans, Economics
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
81 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Pennsylvania
ESG and Social Activism
Skills you'll gain: Environmental Social And Corporate Governance (ESG), Governance, Corporate Sustainability, Diversity and Inclusion, Corporate Strategy, Corporate Communications, Business Ethics, Crisis Management, Advocacy, Strategic Communication, Stakeholder Engagement, Risk Management, Executive Recruitment, Succession Planning
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
166 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Michigan State University
Developing An Entrepreneurial Mindset: First Step Towards Success
Skills you'll gain: Entrepreneurship, Market Opportunities, Lean Methodologies, Open Mindset, Growth Mindedness, New Business Development, Creative Thinking, Visionary, Business Development, Personal Development, Self-Awareness, Business Modeling, Decision Making, Business Process, New Product Development, Overcoming Obstacles, Business, Business Research
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
919 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months