Study investment fundamentals through classes that cover analysis, market behavior, and portfolio design. You’ll learn to align financial strategies with long-term goals.
Gain a comprehensive understanding of stock investing, valuation, and stock movements in this course. Learn about essential valuation techniques, financial statements, and the fundamentals of stock investing, as well as the factors that influence stock prices and how to analyze them.
Master Excel, review corporate finance, and build a valuation model on a public company. Gain basic and intermediate Excel skills and learn how to read financial statements, build valuations, and predict market trends.
Join our financial modeling class to learn essential finance and accounting concepts, build a discounted cash flow (DCF) model in Excel, acquire advanced Excel skills, explore corporate finance and valuation, and create a financial model on a real company. This hands-on course will teach you practical financial skills.
An investment is an asset that is expected to increase in value over time. Investing is the practice of buying assets that are expected to appreciate, to create wealth. These assets can include real estate, bonds, and stocks. Investing is a way to let your money grow rather than having it sit in a bank account. By investing, you can build wealth, stay ahead of inflation, and prepare for retirement.
The idea of investing is generally believed to have started in the 1600s, when the first public markets were established. These markets made it possible for individuals to access investment opportunities. For instance, the Amsterdam Stock Exchange opened in 1602. The New York Stock Exchange opened in 1792. Investopedia argues that the Industrial Revolutions were also turning points in the history of investing. It says, “The Industrial Revolutions of 1760-1840 and 1860-1914 resulted in greater prosperity as a result of which people amassed savings that could be invested, fostering the development of an advanced banking system. Most of the established banks that dominate the investing world began in the 1800s, including Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan.”
Investment always comes with a certain amount of risk, because it is impossible to know for sure how the value of an asset will change over time. It may increase in value, however, its value may also stay the same or even decrease. Forbes explains how every investor needs to consider risk. It says, “Different investments come with different levels of risk. Taking on more risk means your investment returns may grow faster—but it also means you face a greater chance of losing money. Conversely, less risk means you may earn profits more slowly, but your investment is safer.” It points out that every individual will have a different risk tolerance. Investors try to decrease risk in several different ways. One is by educating themselves about finance. Another is by diversifying their investments so that their profits or losses don’t depend on one single type of investment.
You can do many different things with investing training. If you plan to work in any investment-related job, you’ll need it. As a professional, you can make a wide variety of different investments, or you can advise others about making investments. However, even if you never plan to use investing skills in a professional setting, they are almost certain to be valuable on a personal level. Most people will be involved with investments at some point in their lives. For instance, work 401(k) accounts or other retirement savings accounts are forms of investment. If you have children and you set up an education savings plan for them, that is also an investment. Another popular type of investment is when you have extra savings that you want to invest in the stock market or elsewhere to earn money over time. Investment can be very lucrative. One LinkedIn author comments, “Investing can come as a saviour. If you invest a portion of your money in the right asset then it can result in earning profits on your savings. Thus, you can achieve long-term financial goals in a short time.” With investing training, you might be able to manage some types of investments yourself. Even if you decide to work with a professional who can help you make decisions and manage your investments, it is helpful to have some investing knowledge. Investing training can give you a better understanding of how investing works, what investment strategies are best for you, and how to go about making smart investments.
The content of investing classes varies widely. Some classes are focused on general investing, while others are more specialized. Some cover a range of other financial topics in addition to investing. As a result, what you’ll learn in an investing class will largely depend on the specific course that you choose. However, there are several foundational skills that are likely to be covered in most investing classes. When you learn about investing, you’re likely to learn how to read financial documents. You’ll also learn about different types of investments, stock market principles, and risk and return. In addition, investment classes often include information on managing and balancing a portfolio.
As an investor, part of making smart investment choices is understanding the performance of potential investments, and looking for those that have a positive cash flow, good earnings, a strong balance sheet, and the potential for future growth. Companies publish a variety of financial statements, like balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements, that contain this information. When you take an investing class, you’re likely to learn how to read these different types of financial documents so that you can make good investment choices.
There are many ways to invest your money. For instance, you can invest in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. When you take an investing class, you may learn about some of these different types of investments, and their unique risks and rewards. Each of these different types of investments also requires a different investing strategy, which may also be covered in an investment class. Alternatively, if you take a specialized investment class, it may be focused primarily on one type of investing such as the stock market.
Investing in the stock market is a very common way to invest. However, there are different types of stocks such as common and preferred stocks. There are also different ways to invest in them. For instance, through a retirement plan, through a brokerage account, or with the help of a financial adviser. Investing classes often cover much of this stock-related information, so that if you decide to invest in stocks you’ll be better informed about how to do so.
The concept of risk and return is central to investing. In general, the greater the risk in your investment, the greater the potential reward. In contrast, less risky investments are usually associated with lower rewards. An example of a high-risk investment is cryptocurrency, and an example of a low-risk one is a certificate of deposit. As an investor, you’ll need to understand the concept of risk and reward, how to calculate it, and how to incorporate it into your investment choices. Every individual has their own risk tolerance, which will depend on factors like their investment timeframe and how much loss they can accept.
Investing often involves actively managing your portfolio of investments, and balancing it if necessary. Your needs, your tolerance for risk, and the performance of your investments can all change over time, which means you may need to make changes to your portfolio to align it with your new needs and goals. For instance, people approaching retirement typically have a reduced tolerance for risk since they will need their money for retirement. Most experts advise maintaining a diverse portfolio, and reevaluating it yearly.
Investing is a relatively difficult topic to learn. It is fairly easy to learn some basics, however, becoming an expert requires gaining a lot of specialized financial knowledge and also that you devote a significant amount of time to practice. One investor talks about stock market investing, stating, “I always think about learning how to trade like learning how to ride a bike. It’s not difficult to ride a bike, once you know how. It does take practice to master riding a bike. We can say the same for trading: It’s easy enough to learn but takes time to master.” He stresses that practice is critical, and says, “It’s why a lot of people fail in trading: They just do not take the time to practice. If you don’t put in the time to practice, you’ll never make mistakes. And if you don’t make mistakes, you’ll never learn from them.” Since mistakes are an important part of learning investing, experts advise starting with a virtual portfolio, where you can learn without risking any real money.
One of the most challenging things about investing is that no matter how much you learn, you’ll never know exactly what will happen in the market. Investing involves unpredictability and risk. You can definitely increase your chances of success by educating yourself, studying what has happened in the past, and by listening to what other experts have to say, however, some unpredictability will always remain, and that can be challenging to deal with.
You can learn some of the basics of investing relatively quickly, within weeks or months, but investing is a complex field with many elements and variables, and most people say that mastering it takes years, and requires both education and experience. Experts warn that it is common for people to get lucky in investing and consequently underestimate how much time they really need to spend learning about this field. One analyst says, “It's important to recognise that successful trading requires dedication, education, and a well-defined strategy. Unfortunately, I know most people who want to trade the stock market for a living would prefer not to hear this, but it can take up to two years for anyone to become a full-time trader, if not longer.” He goes on to explain that it is crucial to devote a substantial amount of time to learning about investing, stating, “The streets are littered with wanna-be traders and, in a bull market, many are profitable through sheer luck rather than sound knowledge. To be a full-time trader, you need to combine a high level of knowledge with experience; without this, your probability of success over the long term is very low.”
When it comes to investing classes, you’ll find that there are several different formats. In-person, live online, and on-demand learning are all popular ways to learn. Each has unique advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of which format to pick will depend on your unique circumstances and learning style. In-person courses have long been a popular way to learn new skills. With this format, students learn in a face-to-face environment, with an instructor and a group of other students. Since they are in a classroom dedicated to learning, there are usually minimal outside distractions. In addition, instructors are there to answer questions whenever they arise, and can more easily see whether students need additional help. One of the biggest downsides to this format is that it offers the least amount of flexibility. Students must travel to a specific classroom location, and are limited to attending classes in their geographic area.
In contrast, live online classes can be attended from any location such as home or the office. Students simply need to log in online. Instruction is live, and instructors are available to answer questions and give feedback, just like with in-person classes. Some students even feel more comfortable interacting this way, from the comfort of their screens. Many live online classes encourage interaction between students, and since students can attend from any location in the country, there is often a more diverse classroom. A downside to this format is that students typically need to supply their own equipment and software, and will also need to make sure that they have a reliable internet connection.
A third class format is on-demand, where students learn asynchronously. Instead of a live lecture, material is prerecorded. Students work through it at their own pace, stopping, starting, fast-forwarding, and rewinding whenever they need to. This is the most flexible format, since students can attend from any location and on any schedule. It can be a good option for those who have a busy schedule. On-demand learning tends to be cheaper too, since there is no live instructor. However, it does require a higher level of discipline and self-motivation, so it may not be the best option for students who don’t like to work alone.
An investing class can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars, while the internet is full of free investing resources. As a result, students often wonder if it is possible to learn this skill online for free. Free resources are definitely valuable. For example, Noble Desktop maintains a YouTube channel with many different free resources, including investing videos like Stock Market Investing Fundamentals. Coursera and Udemy also provide free investing resources. Free resources like this are a great way to get an overview of this topic. However, if you want to receive a comprehensive investing education, free resources are rarely enough. Instead, the best way to learn investing is to enroll in a paid class, where you’ll receive guidance and feedback from a professional instructor, and you can be sure that you’re receiving accurate and up-to-date information. In addition, many paid courses come with a certificate of completion that can be used to prove your expertise to others.
There are many different skills that can complement investing. Investing involves gathering and analyzing information, so skills that help you more efficiently and effectively do this are valuable. For instance, data analytics can be useful for investing. This is the practice of collecting and analyzing data to make conclusions about it, and it has grown increasingly important to many different industries in recent years because of the growing volume of data that is collected in the world. Critical thinking skills and analytical skills can also help you better analyze investment information. If you’re planning to make investment decisions, it's also helpful to learn basic financial principles so that you can understand all of the financial data that you’ll need to look at.
Depending on how you plan to utilize your investing knowledge, it can also be a good idea to strengthen your communication and presentation skills. Many investing jobs involve analyzing information and then presenting your findings to others. This means that you’ll benefit from knowing how to clearly and effectively translate your findings and ideas into a form that other people can understand.
Investing is used in a wide range of different industries. Many different businesses utilize it in some way, including non-profit and government industries. In some cases, businesses and organizations may be the ones making the investments, while in other cases they may be looking for investors. As a result of how integral investing is to industry, learning some investing skills can be valuable no matter what field you plan to work in.
Finance is one of the industries most likely to use investing. In fact, investment plays a vital role in making the economy run. For instance, many companies rely on investors for capital. Los Angeles has many large financial companies. In 2023, this city was rated number six on the Global Financial Centres Index, which is a list of the world’s top financial centers created by Z/Yen Partners and the China Development Institute. The Economic & Workforce Development Department also discusses the city’s importance in finance, stating, “Los Angeles is a global economic powerhouse, boasting the world's third-largest metropolitan economy.”
Financial technology–or FinTech–is the use of technology to provide financial services. It includes things like investment apps, and is a rapidly growing industry. FinTech has changed investing by making it easier for people without a lot of investing expertise. In a recent LinkedIn article, the author explains, “FinTech is changing many aspects of finance by simplifying things in an industry once filled with jargon, hidden fees, and paperwork.” For instance, the author explains that some FinTech apps have eliminated account minimums and trade fees, which makes investing accessible to more people. Los Angeles ranks high for its tech scene. According to CBRE’s annual Scoring Tech Talent report, Los Angeles is number 14 in the country for tech talent. CBRE reports that between 2017 and 2022, tech wages in the Los Angeles area increased by 20 percent, and now average almost $113,000. According to the Global Financial Centres Index, Los Angeles is a top ten center for FinTech.
Investing is also a critical part of the banking system. Banks help manage the way money flows between investors and their investments. The International Monetary Fund explains, “Although banks do many things, their primary role is to take in funds—called deposits—from those with money, pool them, and lend them to those who need funds.” Los Angeles is home to many large banks. The Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation calls this city the “economic and financial hub of the West Coast” and says, “The Central Business District hosts the region’s top professional services firms including banking.”
Investing is an important part of the real estate industry. In general, people purchase real estate as an investment, hoping that it will increase in value over time. A Harvard University website article explains some of the ways real estate investment works. It says, “Real estate investors put money into properties in the hopes of selling that investment for a profit at a future date. If you choose to be a real estate investor, you could own one or more properties, or pool your money with other investors into a fund that includes several properties. You earn money when properties in the fund are sold. You may also earn income from the rental of the property while holding the asset.” As the second most populous city in the United States, Los Angeles offers many different opportunities for real estate investment.
A Financial Analyst analyzes data and makes recommendations about investments. This job can involve gathering and organizing data, looking at historical data, creating reports and budgets, and making recommendations. Financial Analysts can specialize in many different ways. For example, they can work in the securities industry, or for large corporations. They can also work for nonprofit organizations and government entities. Financial Analysts need to know about finance and economics, and they need strong critical thinking and analytical skills. According to Payscale, a Financial Analyst in Los Angeles earns about $73,000 per year.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (the BLS) a federal agency that gathers U.S. labor market statistics and publishes a variety of reports, over the next ten years there will be 8 percent job growth for Financial Analysts. This is higher than the average U.S. job growth rate of 3 percent. The agency explains that there are several reasons behind this projected growth. One is the growth of emerging markets. It says, “Emerging markets throughout the world are providing new investment opportunities, requiring expertise in geographic regions where those markets are located.” Another factor driving growth is the increasing importance of big data. The BLS says, “Demand also is projected to increase as big data and technological improvements allow financial analysts to conduct high-quality analysis. This analysis will help businesses manage their finances, identify investment trends, and deliver new products or services to clients.” the BLS finds that the Los Angeles metropolitan area is the fifth-largest employer of Financial and Investment Analysts in the United States, with over 10,000 people employed.
An Investment Analyst evaluates financial and investment information to help stockbrokers, traders and others make decisions about how to invest. This job involves gathering and examining a wide range of financial information. Some Investment Analysts work on the buy-side, which is the side of the market involved in buying investments such as private equity groups. Others work on the sell-side, which is the side involved in selling investments such as brokerages.
The BLS groups Investment Analysts in the category of Financial Analysts, and projects strong future growth for this profession. It also reports that the largest employer for this category is “securities, commodity contracts, and other financial investments and related activities.” This employer category is also reported to pay the highest wages. According to Payscale, an Investment Analyst earns approximately $75,000 yearly in Los Angeles.
Risk Analysts help companies reduce the risks associated with their business decisions. They collect a variety of data such as investment portfolios, and market trends, and analyze that data to make predictions about potential gains or losses and to recommend investment strategies.
This job is also placed in the category of Financial Analysts by the BLS, with higher-than-average job growth predicted over the next ten years. The BLS reports that people who work in this field often have a background in business, and typically have strong communication, computer, decision-making, and math skills, in addition to being detail-oriented. A Risk Analyst makes an average salary of $75,000, as reported by Payscale.
Investment Bankers provide financial advice for organizations like startups, corporations, and government entities. They advise on things like investments, mergers, and acquisitions. For example, a company might utilize the services of an Investment Banker to advise it on arranging capital markets financing. The job of an Investment Banker involves research and analysis of financial data, creating reports, and making recommendations.
The BLS predicts that between 2022 and 2032, employment of Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents–which includes Investment Bankers–will grow by 7 percent. It says, “The United States remains an international financial center, meaning that the economic growth of countries around the world will contribute to employment growth in the U.S. financial industry.” In addition, it explains that retirement needs will also drive demand for Investment Bankers. It explains, “An aging population and the decline of traditional pensions may boost demand for these workers, as individuals approaching retirement seek brokers to facilitate securities purchases.” Los Angeles is the country’s third-largest employer in this category, according to the BLS, with about 20,000 people working in this field. According to Payscale, the average salary for a Los Angeles Investment Banker is $166,000.
A Financial Advisor provides personalized guidance about how individuals or organizations can meet their financial goals. This often involves helping clients figure out what those goals are, and then making a plan to achieve them. The job also typically involves advice on making investments. In addition, it can include providing advice about how to save for retirement, and the tax consequences of various investment strategies. Financial Advisors also help clients review their goals and progress on a regular basis and make adjustments to their investments as needed. Glassdoor reports that a Los Angeles Financial Advisor earns about $141,000 yearly.
According to the BLS, between 2022 and 2032, Personal Financial Advisors will see 13 percent job growth. It explains, “The primary driver of employment growth will be the aging population. As large numbers of baby boomers continue to retire, they are likely to seek planning advice from personal financial advisors. Also, longer lifespans will lead to longer retirement periods, further increasing demand for financial planning services.” The agency also finds that a change in the way people fund their retirement will drive growth. It says, “In addition, the replacement of traditional pension plans with individual retirement accounts is expected to continue. Many people used to receive defined pension payments in retirement, but most companies no longer offer these plans. Therefore, individuals must save and invest for their own retirement, increasing the demand for personal financial advisors.” It finds that the Los Angeles metropolitan area has the second-highest level of employment of Personal Financial Advisors in the United States, with more than 13,000 people employed in this profession.
If you’re based in the Los Angeles area and you want to take an investing class, you’ll find many different options. There are both in-person and live online investing classes, with a wide range of scheduling options, including night and weekend courses.
If you’re looking for an in-person class, UCLA Extension offers several investing classes such as Fundamentals of Investing. This multi-week course covers investment policies, types of securities, factors that influence price changes, and preparing investment programs to meet objectives. Students also learn about investment risk and return, portfolio balancing, investment analysis, portfolio management, and capital markets. In addition, there is an overview of the securities market, and information about various instruments and trade procedures. This class has a mixture of in-person meetings and remote instruction. UCLA Extension is one of the oldest and largest continuing studies providers in the United States.
Santa Monica College offers a short, in-person course called Women & Investing. This class is designed to help students become savvy investors. Instructors cover portfolio allocation, choosing an investment advisor, and choosing investments for growth, income, and safety. Students also learn about estate planning and college education planning. In addition, the course includes a forecast of the economy, real estate, the stock market, and interest rates. Santa Monica College is a community college that opened in 1929 and now serves more than 25,000 students.
Noble Desktop is a New York City-based school that also offers its classes in a live online format. It was founded in 1990 and is licensed by the New York State Education Department. This school offers a class called Stock Market Investing, which is designed to give students an understanding of how financial markets work. Students learn the fundamentals of stocks, bonds, options, and real estate. They learn how stocks are valued by market participants, and investing principles for sustainable profits. In addition, they learn how to find financial reports, earnings estimates, and other data. Instructors also cover the causes of the dot-com bubble and financial crisis, and lessons to be learned. Students who take this course receive a certificate of completion, and have the option of a free retake within a year.
Noble Desktop also offers a Financial Analyst Training Program. In this course, students learn core Excel skills, including functions, formulas, and Pivot Tables. They also learn advanced Excel techniques for financial modeling such as Goal Seek and cash flow protection tools. In addition, the class covers accounting, corporate finance, and valuation, with topics like DCF modeling techniques, financial statement analysis, and corporate valuation principles. Students also learn about financial modeling, building an integrated 3-statement financial model, reviewing company presentations and financial reports, and using valuation principles.
Another Noble option is the Financial Accounting Bootcamp. This is a short course where students learn about financial accounting and financial statements, which includes topics like cash versus accrual accounting, income statement line items and financial metrics, balance sheets, and cash flow statements. They will also gain an understanding of how financial statements tie together. Many different intermediate financial accounting principles are also covered such as advanced income statement processes, handling unusual items and EPs, working with deferred taxes and tax journal entries, managing intercompany investments, and understanding how debt accounting works.
Class Rebel, an education company that was founded in 2017, runs a course called Angel Investing 101. This course takes place in a live online format. Students start by learning angel investing basics such as deal sequencing and key players. After that, they learn about investment thesis development, deal sourcing, and due diligence. They also learn about seed stage deals. Finally, the course covers convertible preferred shares, economics vs. Control in a priced round, how options work, how to negotiate equity as a consultant, how to monitor your investment, and how to make an exit.
AMA's Finance Workshop for Non-Financial Executives is offered by the American Management Association, which is a nonprofit educational organization that promotes management. This course is designed to help students learn the principles of corporate finance, and make more informed business decisions. It covers a wide range of topics including accounting essentials, how to read and understand financial statements, classes of investors, cash flow, evaluating risk statements, operational budgeting, and capital budgeting. Students also learn about cost analysis, profit planning, and exposures to volume/price risks.
If you’re looking for an on-demand investing course, Harvard University Professional and Lifelong Learning offers a multi-week self-paced course called Alternative Investments. This course is designed to help students learn to evaluate alternative investment opportunities and maximize portfolio value. They will learn about private equity, private debt, hedge funds, and real estate, and learn to identify the defining elements of these types of investments, like their size, risk, and liquidity. Harvard University Professional and Lifelong Learning is based in Boston and offers in-person, blended, and online courses.
Training the Street, a school that was founded by an Investment Banker and has been operating for 20 years, also offers live online investing training. Principles of Capital Markets is a multi-day class that focuses on theories, approaches, and relationships within the capital markets. Instructors utilize interactive case studies that include real market data to help students get an understanding of capital raising, issuance, and the secondary markets. Students learn to analyze current conditions and forecast future results. They also learn about debt capital markets and equity capital markets. Students receive one year of access to course material and Excel files. In order to take this class, they should have a fundamental knowledge of financial accounting.
If you’re looking to educate your employees on investment, Noble Desktop offers several different in-person and online corporate training programs related to this topic. Its skilled instructors can either train your employees onsite, or can run a live online training. Scheduling is flexible, and content can be customized according to your needs. Training includes comprehensive support materials like handouts and access to premium training videos.
Another employee training option is to purchase vouchers for Noble’s regular group classes and allow your employees to choose their own training schedule. A discount is offered with the purchase of multiple vouchers. To get more information about corporate training options, or to schedule a complimentary consultation, email Noble Desktop.