When I saw a request go out for help sharing my experience and insight by contributing a guest post to a new blog, I thought it would be a great opportunity to shine a light on a smaller group in the CFA charterholder community. I am a CFA charterholder, and I do not work in the money management or financial services industry.
Read MoreWhen evaluating investments, analysts are taught to focus qualitatively on the sources of competitive advantage and quantitatively on forecasts for growth, profitability, and returns on capital. Little emphasis is placed on the shareholder base. But not all businesses have the same
The word alpha has many meanings. In finance, we use the term to describe the excess risk-adjusted rate of return in reference to some benchmark. This definition is in no way incorrect, but it’s a shallow application of the word.
Read MoreThe time or term structure of interest rates, often referred to as “yield curves,” moves continuously as bond prices respond to changes in interest rates. The yield curve graphs this relationship between bond yields (change in price reflected in yield) and bond maturity (time or term).
Read MoreSo you made a decision to become a CFA® charterholder, registered for the CFA level 1 exams, and have prepared thus far. Well done!
Now, remember, CFA Level 1 is only the first of three battles which you have to wage to get to your goal: the CFA charter.
Read MoreMy background may differ from many candidates, in that although I work at an asset management firm, I work in a legal-compliance role. Even though I do not participate in core investment analysis for my firm, pursuing the CFA charter has been invaluable to me in terms of having the proper context to give guidance.
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 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.
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