What are financial markets?

Financial markets are the online trading mechanisms where traders and investors work to buy and sell stocks and bonds, commodities and derivatives, foreign exchange, and more. There are stock markets, bond markets, cryptocurrency markets, foreign exchange markets, and others. Businesses go to financial markets as well to raise money for expansion, and companies join financial markets to raise visibility and reduce risks. Financial markets exist to create financial liquidity for companies to grow and for entrepreneurs to seek funding for their business ventures. Financial markets can increase investor confidence in an economy by making information available, thus reducing risk.

Why is it important to learn about financial markets?

It's important to learn about financial markets to gain insights on risk management, financial principles, and stock trading and see how the banking and securities industries operate. The financial markets represent the lifeblood of the world's economic drivers, including the major markets around the world, as well as the lesser ones in different countries. You'll need to know how financial markets operate, if you want to work in the area of finance, as a trader, investor, entrepreneur, or within a company as a financial analyst, market maker, or similar role.

What career opportunities can arise from learning about financial markets?

A few career opportunities available to someone with a good education and interest in financial markets include portfolio manager, bond trader, risk manager, investment banker, and similar roles. After proving yourself in these jobs, there may be opportunities later in venture capital, underwriting, and private equity fields. In the stock trading area, there may be jobs open to become a buy-side trader, a sell-side trader, or a hedge fund trader. Working in the financial markets ensures there are many other interesting areas to move into and explore later on.

How can taking online courses help me learn about financial markets?

Taking online courses about the financial markets can give you knowledge about interest rates, stocks, bonds, commodities, and more. You can learn how and why stocks and bonds move up and down relative to risk factors. You may also learn to analyze a stock's performance over time and learn more about risk and return opportunities. Over time, you may get insights into the operations of hedge funds, stock portfolios, and emerging markets.

What are the benefits of taking an online Financial Markets course?

Online Financial Markets courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Financial Markets skills. Choose from a wide range of Financial Markets courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

What Financial Markets courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Financial Markets, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Best Financial Markets Courses & Certificates [2025]

Explore the Financial Markets Course Catalog

Status: Free
Yale University
Financial Markets
Skills you'll gain: Investment Banking, Risk Management, Financial Market, Financial Regulation, Financial Services, Finance, Business Risk Management, Securities (Finance), Financial Policy, Capital Markets, Behavioral Economics, Banking, Corporate Finance, Governance, Insurance, Underwriting, Equities, Derivatives, Mortgage Loans, Decision Making
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
30K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Geneva
Understanding Financial Markets
Skills you'll gain: Financial Market, Capital Markets, Market Liquidity, Portfolio Management, Investments, Market Dynamics, Derivatives, Finance, Equities, Financial Policy, Economics, Real Estate, Banking, Risk Management
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
5.8K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Corporate Finance Institute
Preparatory Certificate in Finance and Financial Markets
Skills you'll gain: Environmental Social And Corporate Governance (ESG), Financial Statement Analysis, Annual Reports, Mergers & Acquisitions, Income Statement, Financial Analysis, Business Valuation, Banking Services, Credit Risk, Loans, Financial Statements, Banking, Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), Capital Markets, Risk Management Framework, Financial Trading, Corporate Sustainability, Financial Market, Wealth Management, Financial Services
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
284 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Interactive Brokers
Practical Guide to Trading
Skills you'll gain: Derivatives, Equities, Risk Analysis, Financial Trading, International Finance, Investments, Securities Trading, Financial Market, Risk Management, Financial Statement Analysis, Financial Analysis, Securities (Finance), Market Analysis, Analysis, Capital Markets, Investment Management, Tax, Balance Sheet, Financial Regulations, Business Metrics
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
737 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Rice University
Global Financial Markets and Instruments
Skills you'll gain: Financial Market, Investments, Financial Systems, Investment Management, Securities Trading, Capital Markets, Equities, Financial Trading, Finance, Market Data, Asset Management, Portfolio Management, Derivatives, Fixed Asset, Financial Analysis, Business Mathematics, Cash Flows
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
2.2K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Coursera Project Network
Investment Risk Management
Skills you'll gain: Investment Management, Risk Management, Financial Analysis, Risk Analysis, Portfolio Management, Financial Market, Investments, Return On Investment, Performance Measurement
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
1.9K reviews
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free
Duke University
Behavioral Finance
Skills you'll gain: Behavioral Economics, Decision Making, Financial Planning, Finance, Consumer Behaviour, Financial Market, Financial Analysis, Economics, Probability & Statistics, Risk Analysis
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
4.3K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Pennsylvania
Business and Financial Modeling
Skills you'll gain: Risk Modeling, Financial Statements, Probability Distribution, Mathematical Modeling, Statistical Modeling, Portfolio Management, Regression Analysis, Business Modeling, Financial Modeling, Strategic Decision-Making, Data Presentation, Risk Management, Presentations, Decision Making, Data Visualization, Microsoft PowerPoint, Predictive Modeling, Spreadsheet Software, Google Sheets, Excel Formulas
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
11K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Indian School of Business
Trading Strategies in Emerging Markets
Skills you'll gain: Financial Statements, Peer Review, Financial Statement Analysis, Financial Trading, Balance Sheet, Portfolio Management, Securities Trading, Financial Accounting, Income Statement, Data Collection, Market Liquidity, Investment Management, Financial Analysis, Performance Analysis, Financial Market, Market Dynamics, Project Design, Accruals, Performance Measurement, Technical Analysis
4.2
Rating, 4.2 out of 5 stars
2.7K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Coursera Project Network
Create a Financial Statement using Microsoft Excel
Skills you'll gain: Financial Statements, Microsoft Excel, Excel Formulas, Balance Sheet, Financial Data, Income Statement, Bookkeeping, Data Entry, Financial Reporting, Financial Accounting
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
703 reviews
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Rice University
Investment and Portfolio Management
Skills you'll gain: Portfolio Management, Financial Market, Investments, Investment Management, Financial Systems, Securities Trading, Asset Management, Behavioral Economics, Capital Markets, Risk Modeling, Equities, Financial Trading, Performance Measurement, Finance, Performance Analysis, Risk Management, Return On Investment, Market Data, Risk Appetite, Wealth Management
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
2.6K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free
Coursera Instructor Network
Financial Analysis: Portfolios, Risks, Strategic Decisions
Skills you'll gain: Portfolio Management, Investment Management, Risk Management, Financial Management, Wealth Management, Financial Market, Investments, Financial Analysis, Asset Management, Risk Analysis, Business Valuation, Market Dynamics, Market Trend, Performance Measurement, Quantitative Research
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
93 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks