The purpose of this course is to equip learners with the knowledge required to comprehend the financial statements of a company and understand various transactions that take place in the stock market. This course is designed to help students with very little or no finance background to learn the basics of investments. The course components will help students understand the basics of investing, risks and rewards in investing, the essential ingredient to time value of money and the power of compounding. The course will also teach in building a portfolio with various kinds of financing and funding.
A Beginner's Guide to Investing
Give your career the gift of Coursera Plus with $160 off, billed annually. Save today.
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level
Recommended experience
7 hours to complete
3 weeks at 2 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Details to know
Shareable certificate
Add to your LinkedIn profile
Recently updated!
October 2024
Assessments
3 assignments
Taught in English
See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills
Earn a career certificate
Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV
Share it on social media and in your performance review
There are 4 modules in this course
The program aims to provide learners with the requisite knowledge essential for comprehending corporate financial statements and gaining insight into diverse transactions occurring within the stock market. Tailored for individuals with limited or no background in finance, the course commences with an overview of corporate financial statements and common corporate filings in the first week, supplemented by fundamental investment principles. The second week focuses on investment risk, rewards, diversification strategies, and portfolio construction. Week three focuses on financing and funding operations / companies within the market context.
What's included
1 video3 readings1 discussion prompt
The course provides a thorough introduction to financial statements and equips learners with a deep understanding of commonly used filings. This module explores the critical role of financial statements in shaping diverse financial strategies. Additionally, it covers essential concepts including the time value of money, annuities, and the significant impact of compounding, offering a comprehensive exploration of these fundamental principles.
What's included
17 videos3 readings1 assignment
In this module, the learners explore key concepts such as risk and return, utility theory, and the significance of diversification. The module provides a comprehensive understanding of financial markets, including various types of stock orders, effective execution strategies, trading mechanics, and strategies for optimizing trading opportunities.
What's included
11 videos1 reading1 assignment
This module will guide you through the process of constructing a portfolio using widely accepted trading rules. You will also develop an understanding of various forms of financing and startup funding methods. Additionally, the module will provide insights into currency markets, exploring how news and data can impact currency fluctuations and market dynamics.
What's included
9 videos1 assignment1 discussion prompt
Instructor
Offered by
Recommended if you're interested in Finance
Indian School of Business
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Why people choose Coursera for their career
Felipe M.
Learner since 2018
"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."
Jennifer J.
Learner since 2020
"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."
Larry W.
Learner since 2021
"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."
Chaitanya A.
"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."
New to Finance? Start here.
Open new doors with Coursera Plus
Unlimited access to 7,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs - all included in your subscription
Advance your career with an online degree
Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online
Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business
Upskill your employees to excel in the digital economy
Frequently asked questions
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
You will be eligible for a full refund until two weeks after your payment date, or (for courses that have just launched) until two weeks after the first session of the course begins, whichever is later. You cannot receive a refund once you’ve earned a Course Certificate, even if you complete the course within the two-week refund period. See our full refund policy.