This course is for mid-level officials in central banks, ministries of finance, and regulatory agencies. Participants are expected to be fluent in English and have some familiarity with basic techniques in statistics and probability. It is essential that participants be able to use Microsoft Excel.

The course examines the role and function of capital markets, and addresses issues related to the development of such markets. To this end, it develops the main ideas and techniques of financial analysis that are part of the toolkit of policymakers. These tools are used to study the characteristics of financial instruments and pricing, as well as to analyze portfolios of assets and issues related to the financing decisions of firms. In addition to discussing the use of these tools in developed markets, the course considers how they can be applied in an emerging-market setting. Topics include:

• interpreting financial statements;
• markets for short- and long-term instruments;
• bond pricing and volatility—duration and convexity;
• term structure of interest rates;
• equity pricing; and
• financing options for firms.

Workshops, which are an integral part of the course, require participants to apply some of the techniques presented.
 

return to course schedule