Introduction to Finance & Economics

Name: Introduction to Finance & Economics
Rating: 4.7 (23 reviews)

Learn core finance and economic principles, market structures, investment strategies, and macroeconomic policies.

Highest Rated

Created byMayfair Real Estate Institute

Last updated 3/2025

English

What you'll learn

Understand the fundamental principles of finance and economics, including key theories and real-world applications.
Analyze financial statements and economic indicators to assess market trends and business performance.
Apply investment and risk management strategies to make informed financial decisions.
Evaluate macroeconomic policies and their impact on financial markets, businesses, and individuals.
Critically assess financial theories, including modern portfolio theory, capital structure, and behavioral finance principles.
Examine economic models and theoretical frameworks, such as supply and demand, market structures, and fiscal policies

Course content

8 sections • 62 lectures • 4h 44m total length

1.1 What Is Economics?5:02
1.2 Basic Economic Concepts & Terminology6:14
1.3 Factors of Production & Economic Systems4:33
1.4 Economic Models & Theoretical Frameworks4:16
1.5 Measuring Economic Activity7:59
Resource: Basic Financial Terms Glossary0:27

2.1 Demand & Supply in Detail5:56
Explore how price drives demand and the quantity demanded, illustrate the law of demand, and examine supply, equilibrium, and factors behind surpluses and shortages.
2.2 Price Elasticity of Demand & Supply4:23
2.3 Income Elasticity of Demand (YED)6:07
2.4 Consumer Behavior & Utility5:19
2.5 Cross-Price Elasticity of Demand (XED)7:15
2.6 Consumer Behavior & Utility5:19
2.7 Production & Costs5:24
Analyze how fixed and variable costs determine total cost in the short run, and explain long-run flexibility, diminishing returns, internal and external economies, diseconomies of scale, with practical examples.
2.8 Market Structures (Perfect Competition to Monopoly)8:54
Explore market structures from perfect competition to monopoly, including monopolistic competition and oligopoly, and how pricing, entry barriers, product differentiation, collusion, and game theory shape real markets.

4.1 Understanding the Time Value of Money6:43
4.2 Simple & Compound Interest6:55
4.3 Introduction to Annuities4:44
Explore how annuities structure equal payments at regular intervals, distinguish ordinary annuities from annuity due, and apply future value and present value concepts to retirement planning and loan repayments.
4.4 Introduction to Perpetuities2:11
4.5 Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Analysis6:48
4.6 Internal Rate of Return (IRR)4:59

5.1 Overview of Financial Markets3:39
5.2 Financial Institutions & Their Roles6:28
5.3 Equity Markets (Stocks)5:20
5.4 Stock Market Indices & Performance Measurement5:43
5.5 Debt Markets (Bonds)4:39
5.6 Bond Ratings, Risks & Investment Strategies4:22
5.7 Money Markets & Short-Term Funding5:52
5.8 Role of Money Markets in the Economy3:06
Explore how money markets provide short-term liquidity funding for banks, corporations, and governments. Instruments like treasury bills, CDs, and commercial paper reflect central bank policy and influence returns and reinvestment.
5.9 Derivatives & Other Financial Instruments5:34
Explore how derivatives derive value from underlying assets to hedge risk, speculate on price movements, and leverage positions through futures, options, and swaps.
5.10 Structured Products & Their Role4:17

6.1 The Role of Corporate Finance4:37
Explore how corporate finance maximizes shareholder value, manages risk, and funds growth through capital budgeting, capital structure, and working capital management, guided by NPV, IRR, payback period, and Pi.
6.2 Corporate Governance & Stakeholder vs. Shareholder Theory4:11
6.3 Capital Structure & Financing Decisions2:56
6.4 Cost of Capital & WACC2:29
6.5 Capital Budgeting Techniques5:20
Explore capital budgeting techniques such as net present value and internal rate of return to allocate capital efficiently, maximize profitability, and reduce risk by analyzing future cash flows.
6.6 Payback Period & Profitability Index (PI)2:55
6.7 Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)4:25
Discover how mergers and acquisitions strengthen market position, unlock synergies, and drive growth through integration of assets, leadership, and operations, with horizontal, vertical, and conglomerate structures.
6.8 Valuation Challenges in M&A4:09

7.1 Investment Basics & Asset Classes3:51
7.2 Overview of the Real Estate Industry6:55
7.3 Diversification & Correlation4:16
Explore modern portfolio theory, diversification, and correlation to balance risk and return by spreading investments across asset classes, geographies, and industries for better risk-adjusted returns.
7.4 What Are Stocks & How Do They Work5:58
7.5 Understanding Bonds2:54
7.6 Fundamental Analysis2:14
7.7 Introduction to the Balance Sheet4:25
7.8 Example Corporation – Balance Sheet4:23
Understanding the 2008 financial crisis0:32

8.1 Introduction to the Income Statement4:14
8.2 Example Corporation – Income Statement5:30
8.3 Introduction Cash Flow Statement4:44
8.4 Example Corporation – Statement of Cash Flows5:30
8.5 What Is Technical Analysis2:36
Technical analysis uses price movements and past data to predict trends via price, action, volume, and chart patterns; it flags uptrends, sideways, and downtrends with blue and red signals.
8.6 Technical Indicators & Chart Patterns1:54
8.7 Simple Moving Average (SMA)2:31
8.8 Exponential Moving Average (EMA)3:44
Learn how the exponential moving average weights recent prices to reveal early trends, using the 21-day and 100-day EMAs and crossovers to spot bullish or bearish signals.
Resource: Simple Budgeting Template0:30

Requirements

No prior finance or economics experience is required. This course is designed for beginners and professionals looking to build a strong foundation in financial and economic concepts.

Description

Finance and economics shape nearly every aspect of modern life, from individual financial planning to global market movements. This Introduction to Finance & Economics course is designed to provide learners with a comprehensive understanding of financial principles, economic theories, and market behavior. Whether you're a beginner or a professional looking to strengthen your financial knowledge, this course will equip you with theoretical and practical tools to make informed financial and economic decisions.

Throughout the course, you will explore key economic concepts, such as supply and demand, market structures, and macroeconomic policies. You will also delve into fundamental financial principles, including investment strategies, risk management, and financial statement analysis. Additionally, you will examine monetary and fiscal policies, understanding how governments and central banks influence economic growth, inflation, and employment.

By the end of this course, you will be able to analyze financial statements, assess economic indicators, and critically evaluate financial theories like modern portfolio theory and behavioral finance. Whether you aim to invest, manage business finances, or simply gain a deeper understanding of how the economy functions, this course will provide you with the essential knowledge and skills needed to navigate the financial world.

No prior experience required – this course is suitable for beginners and professionals alike. Start your journey toward financial literacy and economic understanding today!

Who this course is for:

Aspiring investors, business owners, and finance professionals seeking to understand financial decision-making.
Students and professionals looking to develop a strong foundation in economics and financial literacy.
Entrepreneurs and startup founders who need financial knowledge for business growth.
Anyone curious about how financial markets work and how economic policies impact businesses and investments.

Introduction to Finance & Economics

What you'll learn

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Course content

Foundations of Economics6 lectures • 29min

Microeconomics in Action8 lectures • 49min

Macroeconomics Essentials6 lectures • 29min

Time Value of Money & Financial Mathematics6 lectures • 32min

Introduction to Financial Markets10 lectures • 49min

Corporate Finance Fundamentals8 lectures • 31min

Introduction to Investments9 lectures • 35min

Income Statement, Cash Flow Statement & Technical Analysis9 lectures • 31min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: