I’d like to share some mindset hacks helpful in passing the CFA exams, along with some pointers on how to approach this daunting and rewarding experience. As a charterholder myself, I’ve had the privilege of mentoring candidates through all three levels, and I hope this helps you in your studies.
Read MoreConsidering the CFA charter? Wondering whether you should get an MBA or a CFA charter (or both)? Trying to decide your career path in the world of finance given changing industry trends and the rise of FinTech?
Read MoreI went three for three on the CFA® exams. There was (no question) some level of luck and good fortune, I do believe there were a few things I did that aided my success, and maybe some or all can help you on your own successful path.
Read MoreThe CFA curriculum was not only intellectually fascinating, but it added enormous value to me—and, I dare to say, to Axpo Trading, the organization that I’ve had the privilege of leading.
Read MoreMany times, when clients hear the word “diversification,” they think the more assets, the better. However, not all additions to a portfolio are created equal.
Read MoreThe new 2024 CFA curriculum has been released for Levels I and III. This article will summarize all of the important changes to the curriculum and how it affects your preparation.
Read MoreWhen 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
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