Of the few online searches I did on CFA career paths when I first contemplated writing my Level I exam 15 years ago, working in the mining space was not on any top 10 lists that I came across. Yet in the decade that has passed since I first started my mining career (mostly gold, with some copper and a sprinkle of silver), I have worked closely with both the buy-side and sell-side while simultaneously acquiring industry-specific knowledge.
Read MoreEver see one of those Facebook posts that shows kids riding in the back of a pickup truck, maybe back in the 1950s, with commentary something like “We didn’t wear seat belts and we turned out just fine.”? Such posts are supposed to speak to an over-reaching nanny state, I suppose.
Read MoreAn average four-year commitment to pass all three exams is not your typical career stepping stone. Accomplishing this crazy feat in the minimum two and a half years should warrant an extra letter in the designation for awesomeness, or receive some sort of lifetime VIP pass to…well, EVERYTHING.
Read MoreAn average four-year commitment to pass all three exams is not your typical career stepping stone. Accomplishing this crazy feat in the minimum two and a half years should warrant an extra letter in the designation for awesomeness, or receive some sort of lifetime VIP pass to…well, EVERYTHING.
Read MoreHi. My name is Ben, and I’m a CFA. And the fact that you’re reading this blog means that you’re at least curious about becoming one too. As a charterholder, I understand what it means and what it costs to make that commitment—both in dollars and in your personal life.
Read More"Portfolio Construction and Revision" is a sub-heading of "Portfolio Management and Wealth Planning" (Part X of CFA Institute Candidate Body of Knowledge, or CBOK). As portfolio management and wealth planning are significant disciplines that CFA® candidates and charterholders find themselves engaged in on a day-to-day basis, it is useful to explore functionality within the terminal setting that can be applied to these tasks.
Read MoreA discount rate helps analysts and managers determine the value (or potential value) of an investment or portfolio. They’re an important part of the CFA® Level I exam.
Read MorePreparing for the CFA® certification process involved devoting a year and a half of my free time to pursuing a single goal with very narrow margins for success at each stage across three exams. Although I completed the process with the fastest timing possible—namely, December for Level I and June for Levels II and III
Read MoreDespite what many would like to believe, the active vs. passive debate is very much alive and kicking.In fact, it has never been so relevant. One just needs to look at flows, performance, and regulatory agendas. All seem to lean toward the passive camp, while active managers are trying to find ways to keep their jobs.
Read MoreComparing mortgage refinance options with varying terms is a unique mathematical challenge, and also one that consumers face often in a declining rate environment.
Read MoreI recently spoke to a finance class at a local college, a group of third-year finance students looking for an opportunity to hear from industry professionals. I have had the pleasure of speaking to groups of students like this on various occasions and I always enjoy it.
Read MoreBenjamin Graham made the call for a special professional rating for security analysts in a now-famous piece written in January 1945. The purpose of such a designation was to reassure investors that those giving advice regarding security transactions were qualified, knowledgeable professionals with high ethical standards.
Read MoreI first learned about the CFA Program as an undergrad finance major in the mid-1980s. I had always had an interest in the stock market, and would frequently read through the stock tables in the local newspaper and in the copy of Barron’s at the school library.
Read MoreThe one subject that really stuck with me long after having passed the CFA® Level III exam was that of behavioral finance. Thanks to CFA Institute for introducing me to this new—perhaps lifelong—buddy. When I started preparing for the behavioral finance section, it didn’t come across as very interesting and didn't hold my focus for long.
Read MoreWhen creating the CFA exam, there’s a natural tendency to simplify so that participants from different backgrounds can all gain an understanding of multiple areas of finance.
Read MoreBuy and hold (B&H), constant mix, and constant proportion portfolio insurance (CPPI) are commonly used dynamic strategies for rebalancing portfolios.
Read MoreBack in January of 2020, which feels like years ago, I wrote an article pointing out that credit markets were setting themselves up for a potentially dangerous outcome. In no way could I or anyone else have predicted that a global pandemic and worldwide shutdown of entire economies would be the catalyst, but the conditions were ripe for any spark to start the fire.
Read MoreChoosing to embark on the path to your CFA charter is a big decision that needs to be made only after understand the commitment needed to succeed.
Read MoreWe witnessed a remarkable change in sentiment after November of 2016.
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