Contact Us
×

Tag: financial analyst online training

7 things a financial analyst must know

Posted on by Imarticus Learning

7 things a financial analyst must know

A financial analyst is a person who analyses investment performance and assesses the financial statements of different verticals to make business decisions. An analyst is solely responsible for monitoring macroeconomic trends in different sectors and industries; the role of an analyst, therefore, demands strong mathematical, analytical, and data interpretation skills.

Analysts can use data, research, and expert opinions to determine whether projects will work or not. Each type of analyst has different focus areas and levels of responsibility. They evaluate potential financial risks, manage cash flow and balance sheets, prepare annual reports and provide guidance to management on investment strategies.

Essential Skill-Sets of a Financial Analyst 

 

  • Decision-Making

 

Decision-making is about choosing the correct option out of many and deciding which one is best for the situation. It’s about weighing the pros and cons of each option to see if it will work for you as an analyst. It’s also about being able to justify the decision by ensuring it makes sense within the company’s goals, mission, or vision.

As a financial analyst, this sort of thinking is essential because your task involves decisions like how much money to invest in different projects or products. One needs to be able to look at all the possible factors involved in making those decisions—like how profitable they will be and how much money they’ll bring in—and make an informed decision that balances risk with reward while staying within budget guidelines.

 

  • Corporate Finance

 

best data science course

Corporate finance is the study of how corporations manage their finances. It involves deciding the sources of funds, investments, and capital structure. A classic example is a decision taken by a company involving a combination of debt and equity to fund its needs. 

Financial analysts must come equipped with such knowledge in order to help companies manage their finances and make investment decisions. In order to develop the required expertise, students can opt for financial analyst courses. 

 

  • Technical Analysis

 

A financial analyst must be able to determine market sentiments based on price trends and detect patterns and indications.  

Financial analysts need to understand the technical analysis based on statistical trends to build a perspective toward stocks, bonds, commodities, or any other financial module. This task involves using charts and graphs when analysing data about stocks and other investments.

 

  • Mergers and Acquisitions Analysis

 

Mergers and acquisitions have an impact of epic proportions on the financial health of an organisation. Mergers and acquisitions analysis involves determining or predicting the results of such business acquisitions and the effect they will have on the financial well-being of the company.

Based on this information, the company can improve its revenue and market share, reduce costs and gain top talent; a chartered financial analyst course is a great way to acquire such a technical skill-set. 

 

  • Corporate Valuation

 

Corporate valuation is the process of determining the market value of an organisation or business entity. Valuation is crucial when it comes to acquisitions and mergers. As a financial analyst, one should be proficient in different financial tools to look at the market cap, capital expenditures, and taxation to determine the economic value of the entire business unit.

 

  • Financial Modelling

 

As a financial analyst, one is expected to calculate how much money the company has made in the past, what it will make this year, and what the future looks like for the business. Modeling covers the analysis of estimating how much money the company is spending each month on essentials, salaries, and benefits for employees. 

Modeling enables analysts to understand how the clients’ businesses work, and how the products they sell fit into those businesses. By doing so, analysts gain a better understanding of not just the client’s business, but also help them make better decisions about what products to offer and how to allocate resources.

Having knowledge of financial modeling helps financial analysts estimate the profits, balance sheets, and cash flow statements. Financial modeling courses will help analysts learn the advanced metrics to handle modeling techniques.

 

  • Software Skills

 

As an analyst, having a working knowledge of financial software like Tally, Excel, and SAP can help you get an edge over others and save time. Knowing how to use finance functions, lookup functions, data validation tools, what-if analysis, and pivot tables are some critical skills that an analyst must possess. 

Get Started

The demand for financial analysts will always thrive on driving businesses to the upside. Imarticus Learning understands the skills that industries require and has curated a course covering all important aspects to get you groomed and industry-ready. The Chartered Financial Analyst course by Imarticus Learning is a collaboration with KPMG in India that provides you with real-world training, through a detailed course structure and guidance in every module. Contact us through chat support, or visit our training centers in Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Chennai, Bengaluru, Delhi, Gurgaon, or Ahmedabad.

Kickstart your journey as a financial analyst today!

Can a financial analyst course make you a better finance professional?

Posted on by Imarticus Learning

Can a financial analyst course make you a better finance professional?

A Financial Analyst guides companies, organizations, and individuals on all matters relating to finance. All business investment decisions are facilitated by analysing economic and business trends and the company’s financial strategy.

best data analytics certification course

Finance Analysts work in banks and investment firms and also for general corporations. You need a grounding in finance, economics, accounting, and statistics as a start to pursuing a career as a financial analyst. Get a Financial analyst pro degree from Imarticus learning Pvt Ltd to give a boost to your career as a Financial Analyst.

What is the main function of a financial analyst?

A financial analyst normally works with financial data and manipulates it to show the underlying trends, whether seasonal or otherwise, calculates inter-firm and intra-firm ratios for understanding the company’s financial position, and analyses the industry or the sector where the company is working.

  • A financial analyst builds financial models and does sensitivity and scenario analysis with conservative and aggressive assumptions.
  • Analyses economic and business trends to provide information on which business decisions are based.
  • Help in the development of budgets and long-term forecasts for the organisation.
  • Conduct project appraisals and apply discounting techniques to evaluate the project viability.
  • Analyse equity securities and provide buy, sell and hold recommendations.

There may be jobs where you can work as a buy-side analyst or sell-side analyst. Job openings will be available with banks, insurance companies, mutual funds, and independent money managers.

  • If you attain enough experience and seniority, you can work as a portfolio manager, investment manager, or fund manager at a mutual fund house.

Educational qualifications required to be a financial analyst

A Bachelor’s degree in Commerce, Economics, or Engineering: A basic degree in maths, economics, or commerce will provide the proper grounding to pursue higher education in financial analysis and asset management.

Post Graduate degree: An MBA in Finance and Investments can come in very helpful to create the groundwork for Asset and Portfolio Management.

Higher Certification in Financial Analysis: The Chartered Financial Analyst certification from The Association of Investment Management and Research (AIMR), Virginia, is the ultimate academic achievement in Portfolio Analysis and Investment Management. It is a rigorous 3-year course. To help you prepare for this course and a career in Financial Analysis and Portfolio Management, financial analyst courses are offered at Imarticus Learning Pvt Ltd. They offer a Financial Analysis Prodegree, which offers valuable help in kick-starting your career as a Financial Analyst.

 What are the skillsets that a Financial Analyst is expected to have?

  • Financial software knowledge 
  • Budget management training
  • Financial reporting skills
  • Research skills
  • Accounting knowledge
  • Analytical ability
  • Financial literacy
  • Data analysis
  • Corporate finance knowledge
  • Communication
  • Negotiation
  • Influencing
  • Critical thinking
  • Flexibility
  • Resilience
  • Collaboration
  • Problem-solving

 Plan your future as a Financial Analyst 

  • As mentioned above, becoming a Financial Analyst is based on the right combination of education, certification, and experience. Plan all the various steps to ensure adequate preparation for your career.
  • Take the right course. Sharpen your investment analysis and data analysis skill sets. The Financial Analysis Prodegree will hone your skills in data analysis, financial literacy, and proficiency. Imarticus Learning’s Financial Analyst training courses offer the right curriculum and mentorship to jumpstart your career.
  • Look for banking, mutual fund, and financial services internship opportunities.

You will gain practical experience, valuable insights, investment knowledge, and networking opportunities which will be extremely helpful in getting a job. Additional professional qualifications and internship experience will boost your profile.

  • After the completion of your Financial Analyst course, you can look for entry-level openings in banks, mutual funds, and the financial services industry.
  • Prepare for your interview. Your Financial Analyst course will be extremely helpful in your ability to analyse and answer questions posed by the interviewer.

 Career Paths available for a Financial Analyst

  • Financial Planning Manager in a large Corporation.
  • Portfolio Manager for a mutual fund, investment companies, high net worth individuals, wealth management division of banks, and independent money managers.
  • Rating Manager at a well-known credit rating agency. Analysis of credit ratings involves detailed financial analysis and business analysis of the company
  • Risk Manager with a bank, financial institution, or a non-banking financial institution
  • Fund Manager with a mutual fund. You guide the fund’s overall objective and not only do financial analysis but also make investment decisions on behalf of the fund.

Conclusion

The future is very bright for Financial Analysts in India with the growth of equity investors investing either directly through the equity route or the mutual fund route. The growth of the Fintech sector also requires financial analysts to assist in their further development.

corporate training and development

Learn Financial Analysis to develop a competitive edge in your career search. Learn state-of-art skills by doing a Financial Analyst training course available at Imarticus Learning Pvt Ltd.

 You can contact Imarticus Learning Pvt limited through chat support or drive to our training centers in Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Chennai, Bengaluru, Delhi, Gurgaon, or Ahmedabad.

4 pillars for successful financial modeling

Posted on by Imarticus Learning

4 pillars for successful financial modeling

The field of finance is a space for various strategic implementations to make it a successful open house. While finance corporations require a brush-up of technical skills and fundamentals. An operative and successful financial model paves an elongated way for businesses to carry out their financial operations efficiently and therefore finance analysts need to back their research and process on an effective financial model. 

Importance of Financial Models

Financial models are important for decision-making and performing exquisite financial analysis concerning raising capital, mergers and acquisitions, business valuations, ratio analysis, etc. A typical financial model is a tool that can be built on spreadsheet software like MS Excel. A financial is an extrinsic technique to forecast a business’ financial performance. Such can be based on a company’s past performance and assumptions made by the analyst. 

To build advanced types of models one can obtain a financial modeling certification to create complex algorithms and build a top-notch model such as discounted cash flow analysis (DCF model), mergers and acquisitions (M&A), leveraged-buyout (LBO), sensitivity analysis, etc.

executive management training

To obtain higher knowledge of the field and update your skills, you can also opt for the varied financial analyst training courses that are being offered by various institutes or obtain a financial analyst certification course to expedite the financial modeling process in your job and going forward in your career. 

Pillars of Financial Modeling

For successful financial modeling, the top 4 pillars comprise consistency, reliability, efficiency, and clarity. Without these essentials, a financial model shall be without soul and ultimately tough to navigate. These pillars ensure that your financial model is free of errors and minimizes the duplication of tasks. Also, it helps you to create a model with a higher readability score and an effective model on which to base your decision-making. Let us understand these fundamentals that act as a tower of strength to a successful financial model.

Consistency:

Consistency is an essential element in a model layout. It ensures that the reader can explicitly understand the logic behind the stats used and thus can be successfully carried through from one author to another. The consistency must be maintained in terms of the data affixed through the appropriate columns, the number of sheets, as well as the page, breaks serial numbers, formulas, and most importantly proper formatting. This ensures that parity is maintained in the model and the chances of errors can get minute along the way.

Efficiency:

An efficient model helps the analysts to cut down on extra costs for revamping the system consecutively. It allows both the creator of the model as well as the financial analyst to move towards effective cost and time management. This ensures that they can obtain trustworthy results by paying attention to the required formulas along with the inputs in the form of numbers that need to be clubbed onto the sheet. It also portrays how these numbers must be aligned and organized by keeping the end goal as the main feature and obtaining efficient results.

Clarity:

Without clarity in the financial model requisites and features, the financial model can tend to become highly complex. This in turn shall create hindrances in obtaining viable plans and analysis of the financials involved. The model, therefore, needs to have a simple outlook and structure. The model also needs to be transparent in terms of its presentations and must be easier to follow the process for not only the one creating the model but also the analysts and users who need to dissect the numbers and use them to forecast the financials of the enterprise.

Reliability:

It is substantial for a business to have a reliable financial model to minimize the upheavals in its decision-making process. A reliable financial model ensures the promulgation of technical as well as strategic assistance. Apart from being flexible and easy to understand, the reliability trait goes a long way for you to stick around the business and enhance your financial operations.

To create an effective financial model and also to learn how to create one, the best way is to practice. To do so requires years of experience and to reach the stage of becoming an expert at creating a structured financial model comes with several failed ones. But once you have mastered the techniques and skills, it would become a tad bit easier. 

An ideal approach to learning and analyzing a financial model is doing a thorough reading of equity research reports. This shall be an excellent way to compare your results and ultimately improve your methods. One of the most preferred ways is also to practice analyzing a company’s historical financials that have been built on a flat-line model and then calculate the net present value per share.

This helps to compare the current share price or the targeted prices of equity research reports and hence can brief you on how to improve your data build-up. You can also opt for courses that are available online. The bottom line is to craft your skills in such a manner to build a model that consists of all the 4 pillars that have been mentioned above to obtain successful results. 

Top 5 books to learn financial analysis

Posted on by Imarticus Learning

Top 5 books to learn financial analysis

As a real-time investor, you can never get enough knowledge, there’s always a better trick to the trade that you may not be cognizant about. One common fundamental that an investor must master is understanding the financial reporting of the corporations. It is not smart to invest in the stock market without taking into consideration the financials posted by the company. Analyzing the final reports by the company and simply relying on the market trends may be aghast as it may lead you to a misdirection. Therefore, an investor needs to keep upgrading himself and his grasp of the subject. 

To do so, there can be no better way to be thorough with the market terminologies as well as distinct strategies that have been penned down by the connoisseurs of the industry. These books can be your best bet to learn financial analysis and shall help you to understand financial reporting in depth. At the same time, if you are already a regular player in the field or if you have chosen finance as your career these top books shall help you to boost your financial analysis career as well as create a path to value investing. If you wish to further extend your know-how in financial reporting or financial modelling, you can perhaps even consider financial analysis online training through the varied courses offered today.

But for now, let us see the trending 5 books to learn financial analysis. These books range from beginner to advanced levels and thus, you can choose to pick your hand on these based on your level of expertise.

The Intelligent Investor

If you belong to the finance field, you most likely have heard about the book written by Benjamin Graham. This is one of the most popular books that are available in the market on financial analysis fundamentals. This book covers the most important nuances related to the financial world such as stock market trading, how to select your stocks, investment tricks, earning per share, etc. If You are someone who is an avid reader but also has started trading in the stock market, this book is certainly the best pick for you.

Learn to Earn

This book by Peter Lynch, who is a fund manager himself strives to make you reach the financial milestones that you wish to achieve. This book takes you through the nitty gritty of analyzing the financials of the company and applying your best knowledge to increase your earnings through trading. The author believes that investing in the stock market is a necessity in one’s life and therefore has explained the concepts in the simplest way possible.

Warren Buffett Accounting Book: Reading Financial Statements for Value Investing

This is a financial analysis book written by Stig Brodersen. This book teaches you valuable lessons about investing. It gives insight into the intrinsic value of a company, talks about what is a discount rate and how to apply it in your strategies, it also talks about the importance of financial ratios, and provides the reader with detailed instructions on how to read the financial statements of a company. The interesting part of this book is that it provides a distinct perspective on financial reporting and is backed by solid examples for readers to easily grasp the author’s point of view.

The Theory of Investment Value

This is a renowned book that has even inspired Warren Buffet and is highly suggested by him for young investors. The book is written by John Burr Williams and it aims to provide its readers with an idea of how the valuation of stocks is done. It also throws light on discounted cash flow techniques and how the dividend yields are decided by the companies. If you are someone who is looking to update your knowledge about investments, this will be a good pick for you.

Financial Statements, Third Edition: A Step-by-Step Guide to Understanding and Creating Financial Reports

This book is known to be a step-to-step guide for beginners to understand as well as create financial reports. This book by Thomas Ittelson is highly recommended by corporates to their fresh joiners to have a basic understanding of corporate finance before stepping into the practical world. It is a type of book that proves to be more accessible by providing data to the readers by translating the most complicated financial jargon. The main focus of the book however is on how the financial statements of the companies interact with each other and aims to offer a snapshot of the company’s financial health. 

The above 5 books are a game-changer for someone who has a deep interest in the finance world and would like to up his investment game. These books provide the reader with the varied perspectives of each author and are highly recommended by most experts in the field. These books help you to cut through the noise and understand the financial shenanigans most efficiently.

Financial markets are volatile – Tips for rising in an investment banking career.

Posted on by Imarticus Learning

Financial markets are volatile – Tips for rising in an investment banking career

The financial sector is one of the most thriving sectors in the economy. Despite so many ups and downs, this sector keeps rising and shining. And, this is perhaps the reason why more and more individuals opt for an investment banking career. But as you know, financial markets are highly volatile, you can’t predict what will happen next. So, to keep up with the changing market trends, you need to keep polishing your skills and abilities even as an investment banker. 

In this article, we are sharing some important tips that will help you grow your career and achieve new heights in the investment banking sector. Keep reading! 

Tips for Growing an Investment Banking Career 

Following are some tips that will help you build a successful investment banking career:

1. Make Sure it is the Right Job for You

Unlike many other careers, investment bankers have a range of jobs to choose from. Note that different investment bankers may come from different backgrounds. So, they can use their transferable skills to join a profession that matches their interests. In the investment banking sector, you can move into trading, financial planning analysis, research, valuation, or structuring posts. For example, if you are good at research and valuation and have a keen interest in investing, then you can grow your career as an investor or a financial advisor. 

Although investment banking is a very high-profile but demanding job, the financial rewards it provides make it worth working hard for. 

Understanding your key skills and interest areas will help you remain focused and earn better opportunities in your IB career. 

2. Don’t Stop Learning 

Since the financial market keeps changing every day, you need to keep polishing your skills and abilities. Even after you get a job, don’t stop working on your skills. Investment banking is a vast field, and it offers many opportunities to become an expert. One good way to learn investment banking is to enrol in the best investment banking courses. In fact, the right IB course is your answer to — how to become an investment banker.

Once you secure the right job and gain some experience, you can consider becoming an expert by earning various investment banking certifications like Chartered Financial Analyst and Certificate in Investment Management. 

3. Do an Investment Banking Internship 

The majority of the top banking institutions and corporations, including J.P Morgan, Goldman Sachs, Barclays, and Morgan Stanley, offer great internship opportunities to individuals. 

For example, JP Morgan offers a 9-week investment banking analyst programme for students, where they can learn important technical skills by working on transactions and deals for the company’s clients. The best part is you can even secure a full-time job depending on your performance. 

However, do your own research and get your facts straight in order to make an informed decision. To do this, you can learn about different opportunities and select the one that matches the best with your interests. 

4. Attend Events and Network 

This is another great tip for a rising career in investment banking. Networking with experienced professionals not only helps you gain knowledge but also helps in earning new opportunities. You can grow your network by meeting new people in your field or contacting them via social networking platforms like LinkedIn. Besides, there are many virtual talks and sessions held online, which can give you a fair idea about the challenges, demands, and working styles involved in investment banking jobs. 

5. Be Passionate 

There is no doubt that investment banking is a highly rewarding career when it comes to salary. You can surely grow your financial health by securing a job in this sector. However, attractive pay should not be the only reason to work in this industry. Hence, it is extremely important to stay interested and passionate about your job. Once you do that, investment banking will become a job you’ll never want to leave. It is one of the most interesting career options that can help you grow professionally as well as personally. 

To Sum Up 

Getting into an investment banking career is a dream of many. All you need is the right road map, guidance, and passion to become a successful investment banker. The tips we have mentioned above will help you raise your career in the field. Moreover, one last piece of advice is when you land your first job, always keep polishing your skills by taking different investment banking courses and certification programs. This will aid your career progression to a great level. 

7 reasons why financial modelling skills are indispensable to investment banking professionals

Posted on by Imarticus Learning

7 reasons why financial modelling skills are indispensable to investment banking professionals

To work in investment banking, you need to demonstrate that you have a range of skills and knowledge that are differentiated or in demanding careers, such as financial modelling skills. Moreover, the investment banking sector deals with the financing of companies through equity or debt. This includes work such as buying and selling companies in whole or in part, IPOs, joint ventures, or risk hedging.

To achieve this, investment banks must work directly with the management of the companies involved, as well as with investment funds or public financing facilities. 

This requires people who want to work in investment banking to have a multidisciplinary profile with extensive financial knowledge, agility in financial modeling, and good interpersonal and communication skills. Here we tell you 7 reasons why financial modeling skills are indispensable to have investment banking skills.

What is financial modeling? 

The term financial model refers to an abstract-mathematical version of a company’s financial reality in a set of spreadsheets.

best financial analyst courseA model is thus a mathematical, simplified, and idealized version of the reality of a company. The model works out simple versions of real factors and translates them into spreadsheets that facilitate the execution of mathematical calculations on the data.

The purpose of a financial model is to represent reality as simply as possible while still being a realistic reflection of the company’s situation, and thus to enable the company’s financial statements to be projected on the basis of current and historical data.

Here are the 7 main reasons why financial modeling skills are indispensable to having investment banking professional skills:

  1. It allows you to give a transparent picture of the overall situation of a company.
  2. It helps to project the impact of any changes in the company’s structure or business.
  3. Since financial models are designed taking into account historical data in addition to the structural situation, the model allows for the definition of scenarios with variables that reflect changes in the entire structure depending on their value.
  4. It is an integrated planning system that contains the profit and loss accounts, the balance sheet, and the calculation of capital flows with their respective dependencies. In this way, the model makes it possible to project the development and consequences of a change scenario for any given decision. This is an indispensable tool when making decisions affecting the structure of a company, as it makes the impact of any decision transparent.
  5. All companies need a business plan to organize themselves, but from the moment external financing comes in, whether, through credit or investment, the financial model becomes an essential planning tool.
  6. Investors only invest their money if they are convinced that the company will be able to repay loans and interest in the future, thus providing a return on their investment, which is why a transparent, complete, and correct presentation of the financial situation, especially the projected income, capital, and liquidity situation, is indispensable.
  7. Apart from their use in all matters relating to financing, financial models are also used for business management.

Why Imarticus for a CIBOP online course?

Financial modeling, i.e. the design and planning of a financial model, is mainly used in the preparation of a business plan or in the representation of a company’s financial structure. The aim is to translate the reality of the company into an abstract model that provides a transparent picture of the overall situation of a company. 

In Imarticus we offer CIBOP Certified Investment Banking Operations Professional courses for those who need to start from scratch. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us to have more information on investment banking courses.

Learn Financial Analysis: A Comprehensive Guide To Trading Methods And Applications

Posted on by Imarticus Learning

Learn Financial Analysis: A Comprehensive Guide To Trading Methods And Applications

All of us want to make money in the stock market, to grow our wealth as quickly as possible. Stock trading and investing to make monetary gains require hard work. Two main aspects of stock trading and analysis include fundamental and technical analysis. You can learn about financial analysis through financial modeling, financial analysis, or chartered financial analysis courses at Imarticus Learning.

Fundamental analysis involves a detailed study of the financials of the company to determine the intrinsic value whereas technical analysis involves the study of historical prices of the stock through chart patterns to project the future price and the trend in stock prices.

What is Financial Analysis?

Financial analysis is the holistic study of the financial position of the company, including past trends, ratio analysis, and cash flows of the company to determine the solvency, liquidity, financial strength, and intrinsic value of the company. When you do a financial analysis of a company or a stock, it should be able to help you determine whether undertaking an investment in a particular company is worthwhile.

It helps you choose the best possible investment opportunities. It involves the study of the balance sheet, profit and loss accounts, cash flow statements, and ratio analysis. You can opt for a financial modeling course or a chartered financial analyst’s course to hone your skills in financial analysis.

Uses of Financial Analysis 

Financial analysis can be divided into two components—corporate financial analysis and investment financial analysis.

Corporate Financial Analysis 

  • Forecasting economic trends in the company/stock. 
  • Companies use financial analysis to enable them to determine future trends in financial policy, long-term budgeting exercises, peer comparison, etc.
  • Project identification teams also use financial analysis to make a comparative analysis of cash flows and return to determine the most investable project. Measures like internal rate of return and net present values form an integral part of financial analysis. Financial modelling courses can help you build your skills in this area.
  • Improve working capital management by improving the efficacy of collection of receivables/payables management, etc.

Investment Financial Analysis 

There are two popular approaches to doing financial analysis:

Top-down going from the macro to micro: This starts from analyzing major economic trends in the economy including  GDP growth, the future direction of interest rates, inflation, exchange rates and currency trends, movement of the economic policy, looking at sectoral trends or factors that accelerate or impede the growth of the industrial sector, and then cherry-picking the industrial sectors poised to perform very well in the economy. 

After the macro analysis, the next step is drilling down to the micro. Looking at specific companies in the selected industrial sectors, conducting ratio analysis and financial analysis of the selected companies, and doing both intra-firm and inter-firm analyses to finally choose the best investment opportunities. 

Value-based investing:  This is going from the bottom to the top. Selecting a company based on its intrinsic value and validating all other assumptions about the macro aspects affecting the company. If the stock markets are particularly choppy, it is always better to use a value-based approach to pick your stocks.

In both the above strategies, analyzing past performance using ratio analysis and other financial analyses is key. Per-share ratios such as price-earnings, price/book value, price to sales, price to enterprise value, leverage ratios like debt/equity, debt to total assets and interest coverage ratios, return ratios like return on equity, return on assets, gross profit margin, net profit margin are all important and can be used in the analyzing the past trends as well as in peer comparison. 

All of the above analyses help in determining the intrinsic value and whether the company is overvalued or undervalued compared to its long-term historical averages. Ratios such as dividend payout ratio and the earnings per share growth help determine whether the company is growing at a sustainable rate and whether it can maintain its growth momentum. 

Technical analysis: Technical analysis is based on the presumption that the current stock price reflects the intrinsic value and charting historical prices of shares will help project the future share price momentum. Various techniques such as bar charts and candlestick charts are used to portray the chart patterns. Various studies interpret different chart patterns to decide whether the stock is likely to give a breakout on the upside or the downside. This helps decide the price point of stock at which you should enter. 

Both fundamental and technical analyses should be used in conjunction with each other and not in isolation. Also, you must be aware that market sentiment depends on macro-economic trends influencing the economic policy of the country and also the impact of central bank action around the world. 

Recently, all central banks around the world raising interest rates due to excessive inflationary pressures in concert has turned market sentiment bearish. This has resulted in large falls in both the indices as well as stock prices.

Key Takeaways 

Doing financial analysis before undertaking any investment activity is very important as it is your hard-earned money at stake. Poor judgment calls or poorly done homework means significant portfolio losses. If you are a beginner in stock markets, learn both fundamental and technical analysis.

Only when you are proficient in both should you take stock of investment decisions or decisions to build your portfolio. Don’t delay. Register for a financial analysis course, a financial modeling course, or a chartered financial analysis course today. It is the difference between growing your wealth and losing it. 

Visit Imarticus Learning to learn more. Contact us through chat support, or walk into any of our training centers situated in Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Chennai, Bengaluru, Delhi, and Gurgaon. 

5 Advantages of Doing a Certified Financial Analyst Course

Posted on by Imarticus Learning

5 Advantages of Doing a Certified Financial Analyst Course

Are you keenly interested in analyzing financial reports and managing finances? Are you planning to take a finance course to learn financial analysis and fill in the existing skill gaps in your profile? Do you ponder how enrolling in a Financial Analyst Training and Placement program can help you make a thriving career in finance? If yes, then this guide is just for you! Here, we demystify the advantages of doing a Certified Financial Analyst course to clarify all your doubts.

Why a Certified Financial Analyst Course?

A Certified Financial Analyst Course is a program that imparts domain knowledge of finance topics, such as financial valuation, investment banking, and equity research. Let us deep dive to know the main advantages of doing this course.

  • It equips you with professional skills to become a subject-matter expert in financial analysis.

A Financial Analyst Training and Placement program provides specialized learning in the following subjects –

  • Accounting and Financial Modelling
  • Mergers and Acquisitions
  • Financial Planning and Valuation
  • Equity Research
  • Financial Statement Analysis
  • Corporate Finance Strategy

Learning financial analysis as a core finance subject equips you with the necessary skills and helps you better understand how the financial sector works. The course grants you the prowess to understand and critically analyze financial data to make strategic decisions on investment securities, such as stocks and derivatives, and manage corporate finances.

  • The certification upgrades your qualification as a finance professional.

Getting qualified as a Certified Financial Analyst stands out clearly on the CV. A valuable professional degree boosts your credibility and helps you get instant recognition during the job application screening process. You gain a competitive edge over other applicants in the job market.

  • The course prepares you for a competitive Financial Analyst role.

From managing equity stocks and financial assets to making long-term financial plans and corporate finance strategies, the role of a financial analyst is pivotal in companies. Enrolling in the Certified Financial Analyst course helps you learn financial analysis skills and thus gears you up for such a highly pragmatic financial analyst role in the future. 

  • The successful completion broadens the scope of selecting career fields.

The course opens a world of career opportunities for you in the financial service industry. Other than working as a Financial Analyst, you can choose to work as a –

  • Financial Planning Lead
  • Corporate Finance Manager
  • Private Equity Finance Manager
  • Equity Research and Market Analyst
  • Business or Asset Valuation Consultant

Furthermore, enhancing the career opportunities also increases your prospects of earning more income than your non-certified peers.

  • The course is more cost and time-effective than other financial courses.

The Certified Financial Analyst course is best suited for aspiring finance professionals who do not have time and (or) resources to pursue a full-time or advanced degree program from a university. The short-term, part-time courses are economical and feasible to complete alongside a job.

So, enroll in a Financial Analyst Training and Placement professional degree program to build or upskill your career in finance.

Imarticus Learning – One of the leading educational institutes to offer a Certified Financial Analyst Course

Imarticus Learning is a technology-driven academic institute that provides quality education to transform careers across industries. We have pioneered the concept of ‘prodegrees’ in collaboration with global giants to revolutionize industry-aligned learning for aspirants.

We offer a Financial Analysis Prodegree in collaboration with KPMG in India. 

Highlights of the course:

  • KPMG-endorsed curriculum focused on industry-oriented learning
  • Experienced and skilled faculty with lectures from KPMG experts,
  • Technology-driven course materials accessible to students through Learning Management System
  • Live and experiential learning delivered through lectures, case studies, videos, and capstone projects
  • Dedicated program mentorship
  • Placements in top-notch financial companies like JP Morgan Chase, Deutsche Bank, Morgan Stanley, and Goldman Sachs
  • FAP ‘Certificate of Achievement’ co-branded by Imarticus Learning and KPMG India.

Need more details?

Feel free to contact us through our chat support or drive to our training centers in Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Chennai, Bengaluru, Delhi, and Gurgaon. Our expert admissions team will resolve all your queries relating to the program and facilitate your enrollment process.

5 Easy ways to access historical financial data sets with Python

Posted on by Imarticus Learning

5 Easy ways to access historical financial data sets with Python

Financial analysis is crucial for every company. It helps to provide information that will determine the credibility of a company. The insights generated by a financial analyst can also help in planning and managing future finances. However, if you want to do financial analysis accurately, you need to get relevant data. You can use the data available across Python libraries, particularly for historical analysis. To learn this, you can enroll in Imarticus Learning’s Financial analyst program.

What Are The Different Ways of Accessing Historical Financial Data Sets With Python? 

If you are a chartered financial analyst, you will be able to access financial data sets for various purposes. There are several Python libraries that allow easy retrieval of historical financial data. You can use any one of the following Python packages to obtain financial data from one or more stocks. 

  • Pandas DataReaders

If you are looking for a free Python library to source and manipulate data from, you can use the Pandas DataReaders. Pandas DataReaders is not a data source. It is a PyData Stack API that you can use to obtain data from various sources like Alpha Vantage, and the database of Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED). 

  • Tiingo

If you need historical data related to stocks, you should take a look at Tiingo’s library. You can use Python to access the Tiingo API which is quite easy to navigate and developer-friendly. If you have the API key, you can easily obtain all the necessary data. Tiingo is best for financial companies and institutions that require stock data for analysis. 

  • Quandl

Quandl offers economic, financial, and alternative data You can access this data by using Python. If you use Python, you will be able to connect to the API and obtain the necessary data.   

  • Yahoo! Finance

Yahoo! Finance offers various types of data, including fundamental and option data, market financials, cryptocurrency data, financial reports, commodities futures, as well as bonds and equities. With Python, you can retrieve all available data and use it for accurate analysis. 

  • Twelve Data

At times, you may need both historical and real-time data. This is especially important if you want to compare insights after analysis of both types of data. Twelve Data allows financial analysts to access relevant financial data through API. You can also use several technical indicators and even create dynamic graphs after obtaining the insights.  

There are several financial modelling courses that help students learn how to access such libraries. You can opt for one of these courses and become a financial analyst with essential Python skills. 

How Can You Learn Financial Analysis? 

To be able to access historical financial data, you will need to learn the basics of financial analysis. Imarticus Learning’s Financial Analysis Prodegree course offers this and more. The course is in collaboration with KPMG and provides toolkits that help with various concepts like corporate finance, private equity, and investment banking.

You can become a financial analyst after completing this course and even transition from your previous profession to a successful career in the finance sector. You can attend live lectures and interact with your peers and course instructors. Such learning sessions will help you clear doubts and develop essential skills. Imarticus Learning also provides industry certifications to all students. 

This is one of the best financial modelling courses and includes six different projects that are based on real-world scenarios. You will be prepared for the industry and can explore various aspects of financial analysis once you receive your certificate. 

After completing the Financial Analysis Prodegree, you can become a chartered financial analyst. Since Imarticus Learning offers extensive career support, you will get many opportunities and will be able to find a rewarding job in your field of interest.

Here’s how to perform scenario analysis of a financial portfolio with Python

Posted on by Imarticus Learning

Here’s how to perform scenario analysis of a financial portfolio with Python

The finance sector is constantly trying to predict future scenarios to make impactful and positive decisions. Scenario analysis can help generate important insights from financial portfolios that allow professionals to understand future conditions and what might affect or cause them. As a chartered financial analyst, you will be able to implement Python packages and simulate scenarios.

To acquire the necessary skills, you can enroll in a financial analysis course. Imarticus Learning offers a Financial Analysis program to students who are interested in the finance industry. 

Completing Scenario Analysis of Financial Portfolio with Python

If you learn financial analysis, you will undertake the scenario analysis process for financial portfolios using Python. While performing scenario analysis with Python, you will have to implement the Monte Carlo simulation. 

When you start scenario analysis of a financial portfolio, you will need to collect all relevant data. You can install a data library like yfinance and download the necessary information on stock prices. Now, once you have that, you will have to find out the daily close price of each stock. To do this, you need to calculate the price “p” from a specific day “t” till the day “t+1”. You can use the pct_change method when you have Python and quickly get the formula for this calculation. You will then need to understand the composition of the portfolio and the loop that will provide the daily stock returns and fill the Pandas Data Frame. 

Once you have the returns, you can begin the Monte Carlo simulation of a single stock. A financial analyst course online with an updated and holistic approach to financial studies will help you apply this simulation. Suppose you want to simulate “x” days, then you need to find stock and obtain the returns time series of that stock. Make sure that you have the original returns time series. Then, you need to randomly but uniformly select “x” values with replacement. You can then complete the simulation with a single line of code. 

When you need to perform a scenario analysis of a financial portfolio, you will need to get the returns and weights of each stock in the portfolio. Using these, you have to find the weighted sum of all the stock returns. You can use a returns data frame to calculate and then perform the simulation. 

Gain Industry Certification in Financial Analysis

Financial institutions need to have a fair idea of what to expect in the future as the industry functions on accurate analysis and predictions. To learn financial analysis and perform scenario analysis, you will need to have industry-oriented training. Imarticus Learning’s Financial Analysis Prodegree is a great place to start. The course is ideal for freshers and working professionals who are looking to change careers and enter the financial industry. The Financial Analysis Prodegree course from Imarticus Learning is in collaboration with KPMG.

Therefore, as a student, you will have access to the best industry training to prepare you for the finance sector. You will also get to know the current situations and develop job-related skills that will make you a valuable employee in the future. Since the curriculum is designed for students to launch successful careers, it includes several interesting and relevant topics. You will learn financial analysis, modeling, equity research, financial statement analysis, valuation, and transaction execution. You will become a chartered financial analyst and can explore numerous careers in the finance industry. 

After completing the financial analyst course online, you can go into private equity, investment banking, or corporate finance. Imarticus Learning offers essential toolkits that help students develop skills and experience to work in the industry.