Financial Maths Bootcamp

There is no getting around the fact that working in financial markets comes with the need to have some understanding of maths, if you really want to make a success of it.

The ability to collect, organise, evaluate and analyse data is the key to understanding the value of assets and their associated risk. Armed with this ability, we can make rational decisions... not just financial ones, but, those that affect many other aspects of our lives.

it doesn't matter whether you work in, sales and trading, asset management, risk, personal investing, corporate finance, or which product you deal with, bonds, equities, derivatives or commodities; the same techniques are common to all.

And here's the good news. Contrary to popular belief, the maths is not that difficult!!!

In 4.50 hours and 8 modules, the course covers the maths needed to get you started on your journey.

The course videos are short, subject matter is broken down into digestible parts, all the terminology and methodology is explained with examples using clearly set out spreadsheets.

Module 1 Interest Rates

We've all heard the term. But, what's the difference between a Nominal rate, Simple rate, Effective rate, continuously compounded rate and period rate? This module looks at each of these, compares and contrasts them, and defines the convention used when we see an interest rate quote.

Module 2 Calculating Returns

Calculating the returns on investments can be done in a number of ways; for the period that we held it or, more usually, on an annual basis, or on an inflation adjusted basis (real return). Furthermore, they can be calculated on a discrete or continuously compounded basis.

We look at these various ways, with explanations and examples of how to calculate them.

Module 3 Time Value of Money

This one is the real deal. Time Value of Money is one of the most important concepts in business and finance. Its principles are at the heart of understanding value and therefore, making rational investment decisions. It provides clarity to most of the what is going on in the financial world.

And the best thing about it is that it's not that hard to understand.

Module 4 Measures of Central Tendency and Dispersion

This one is a recap of the statistics you probably did at school. We look at measures of central tendency, mean, mode and median as well as measures of dispersion such as range and standard deviation (the first introduction to the concept of risk).

Module 5 Probability Distributions

How often had you heard someone say 'equity markets are too high, they're going to crash', or 'We expect equities to provide a 10% return in the coming year.' Rarely will there be a mention of the chances of either of those happening, or not.

Probability distributions allow us to quantify the chances of an expected outcome.

There are numerous types of distributions. Here we look at two of the most common ones, normal distributions and lognormal distributions.

Module 6 Volatility

Risk and return are two of the things we need to consider when investing. When we invest we expect a return, but, we also have to accept the risk of things not working out as expected.

Risk is one of the key metrics in evaluating investments. To achieve high returns we usually have to take on high risk, Conversely, if you are risk averse, then you cannot usually expect a high return  As they say, 'There is no such thing as a free lunch.'

Volatility is a proxy for risk. Here we look at the different types of volatility and how volatility is measured and calculated.

Module 7 Moving Averages

Should we buy or should we sell?

Moving averages are a way of smoothing price changes over time and potentially allow for the identification of trends.

The construction and uses of Simple and Exponentially weighted moving averages are explained here.

Module 8 Relationships Between Assets

When constructing a portfolio, hedging against adverse price movements or establishing a trading strategy with two or more securities, an analysis of whether securities move in the same direction or not, is essential.

This is where covariance, correlation, regression and beta come into play.

Asset managers try to construct portfolios that provide the maximum expected return for the lowest level of risk. Some hedge funds pursue long/short strategies.

All involve the use of the simple statistical techniques above.

This module describes them, shows how to do the calculations as well as highlighting some of the pitfalls of using them.