Forbes/CFA Institute Investment CourseAccess articles, quizzes, and webcasts/podcasts

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Welcome to the multimedia supplement to the Forbes/CFA Institute Investment Course. Each chapter from the course is listed below with articles, webcasts/podcasts*, and other CFA Institute materials referenced in the text. There are also quizzes for each section that you can use as an additional learning tool.

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Customize the Forbes/CFA Institute Investment Course book with your logo, custom chapter booklets, digital downloads, and more. Learn more (PDF).

Resources by Chapter

 

Chapter 1 - Building Capital
Chapter 1 of The Forbes/CFA Institute Investments Course introduces the concept of building wealth through disciplined investing. In this chapter, we discuss how to determine how much you have to invest, identifying your investment goals, and establishing your risk tolerance levels to create an investment plan that fits your needs and objectives. Take the chapter 1 quiz.

Investment Insight references Additional Resources
Chapter 2 - How Securities Markets Function
Chapter 2 provides an overview of the securities markets: how they function and facilitate trading between buyers and sellers of securities. Topics in this chapter include distinguishing between primary and secondary market trades, initial public offerings (“IPO”), electronic trading, and the operations of the different exchanges. Take the chapter 2 quiz.
Chapter 3 - Selecting a Broker and Trading
Chapter 3 is designed to help you understand the differences between full service and discount brokers so you can decide which option is best for you. This section also covers the mechanics of placing an order to buy or sell a security, including online trading, and the pros and cons of using margin. Take the chapter 3 quiz.

Investment Insight references
  • Page 56: For more information on adviser qualifications, as well as how to work with and compensate an adviser, consult the article Choosing a Financial Adviser (PDF)

Additional Resources

  • Fraud is a serious risk that should not be taken lightly; the video, Avoiding Investment Fraud, provides some straightforward strategies that will help you avoid investment fraud, provides some straightforward strategies that will help you avoid investment fraud
  • Selecting a Broker (Video)

Chapter 4 - Tax-Favored Investment Strategies
Taxes will reduce your investment returns in a manner similar to inflation. Chapter 4 will address some of strategies you can use to minimize the impact taxes have on your portfolio, including the different kinds of retirement accounts and education savings accounts. Take the chapter 4 quiz.

Investment Insight references
Chapter 5 - Reading Financial Statements
Chapter 5 lays the foundation of fundamental investment analysis (which is covered in more detail in chapter 8): Learning to read financial statements. This chapter walks through the income statement, balance sheet, and statement of cash flows – the core components of a company’s financials. It also covers how to calculate and use some of the more common financial ratios to create a basis for comparison over time or among companies. Take the chapter 5 quiz.

Investment Insight references
  • Page 94: Watch a short webcast on earnings guidance, Give Us (Earnings) Guidance* 
  • Page 116: To learn about some of the warning signs of fraud, watch the webcast How to Spot Red Flags*
  • Page 118: A study published in Financial Analysts Journal found that as the proportion of independent, outside directors on a company’s board increases, the likelihood of corporate fraud decreases. Read more about the study
Chapter 6 - Sources for Investment Information
Chapter 6 details the different sources you can use when undertaking your own investment research. In addition to reviewing the free resources available to investors, this chapter also provides guidance about seeking professional advice. Take the chapter 6 quiz.

Investment Insight references
Chapter 7 - Common Stocks and Economic Indicators
The value of common equity is based on a number of factors, including the expected future value of the company’s assets and its future earnings potential. Changes in these forecasts will cause the values of stocks to fluctuate. In addition to company-specific factors, business and economic outlooks will affect the price of stocks. Chapter 7 discusses how macroeconomic data and industry-specific factors can indicate trends for the broader economy and provide insight into how certain sectors are performing. Take the chapter 7 quiz.

Additional Resources
Chapter 8 - Fundamental Analysis
Chapter 8 begins with a discussion of active and passive investment strategies, including an active management strategy method called fundamental analysis. Investors perform different fundamental analyses to determine if a company’s stock is fairly valued. This chapter reviews using financial ratios as a basis of comparison, calculating a company’s intrinsic value using a discounted cash flow analysis, and incorporating subjective measures in the overall analysis. Take the chapter 8 quiz.

Investment Insight references
Additional Resources
Chapter 9 - Technical Analysis
Technical analysis relies on the creation and analysis of charts and graphs to predict market movement and stock price performance. Although this method is better suited to trading, as opposed to investing, even fundamental long-term buy and hold investors benefit from understanding technical indicators because they are widely used by market participants. Chapter 9 reviews different methods used by technical analysts and some important technical indicators. Take the chapter 9 quiz.

Investment Insight references
Chapter 10 - Fixed Income
Fixed-income securities can offer excellent diversification benefits to investors. In this chapter, we cover the most common types of fixed-income securities and the factors that affect their value. Take the chapter 10 quiz.
Chapter 11 - Derivatives
Chapter 11 provides a detailed discussion about the most common derivative instruments and how they can be used to develop investment strategies based on speculation, to hedge pre-existing risks, or to generate income. This chapter also examines the use of leverage when employing certain options strategies and the risks involved. Take the chapter 11 quiz.
Chapter 12 - Mutual Funds
There are currently thousands of mutual funds, each employing different investment strategies, styles, and asset allocations. This chapter provides investors with the tools they need to perform their own research to find a fund that suits their needs. This section includes a review of the different fund categories and an examination of fund expenses. Take the chapter 12 quiz.

Investment Insight references
Chapter 13 - Rules of Thumb and Key Phrases
The last chapter in The Forbes/CFA Investment Course includes a review and critique of some of Wall Street’s “golden rules." Many of these rules don’t seem very useful, some have questionable value, and others are contradictory; however, they all have an element of truth and carry the wisdom of years of experience.

Investment Insight references