Securities and derivatives are two of the most important lessons that you need to be aware of as you learn about capital markets training. As you try to enhance your knowledge, it is essential to follow a reputed and a reliable course. This is where you need to pay special attention to the ICMA Diploma in Securities & Derivatives.
What is the diploma in securities & derivatives all about?
The ICMA Diploma in Securities and Derivatives is the definitive curriculum for the fixed income and associated derivatives markets, providing a full understanding of the products’ characteristics and advantages as well as the skills required for trading, investment research, and risk management. The diploma builds on the Fixed Income Certificate, which is our most well-known certification (FIC).
This is THE diploma for professionals in the secondary markets, consisting of four parts – a foundation, advanced, and two specialist level courses – and covering everything from the provision of basic quantitative tools to the fundamentals of analyzing fixed income securities to an in-depth analysis on the construction and management of a fixed income portfolio.
What can you learn out of the diploma in securities & derivatives?
Before you take part in the diploma in securities and derivatives, you need to understand what you can expect to receive out of it. One of the best things about this diploma is that it will help you to be an expert in the basic math that you have to do in derivatives and fixed income market. This understanding can benefit you throughout as you proceed with the investments.
On the other hand, you can develop a better understanding on how to manage the risk and return accordingly in the fixed income securities, investment grade corporate bonds, high yield corporate bonds, sovereign bonds, and inflation linked bonds. Likewise, you can also enhance the knowledge that you have in covered bonds, securitizations and the relationship that exist in between the derivatives and cash bond markets.
When you are investing, you need to have a strong understanding on how to interpret and use the market standard measures of credit spreads and interest rate risk. On top of that, you need to be aware of how to apply those measures in order to evaluate and construct the trades, which are expressing the views with related to the level of interest rates. It would eventually shape the overall yield curve. On top of that, it will also help you to manage the relative value that is found in credit risky bonds.
Another great thing you can learn by taking part in this course is the ability to develop a solid understanding on some important topics with related to securities and derivatives, which include covered bonds, securitizations, inflation-linked bonds, CDS, structured securities, interest rate derivates and the users. Moreover, you can learn about hedging, rates trading, and numerous other related techniques.
Develop a functional understanding of current best market practice and regulatory concerns for fixed income and derivative markets, as well as how regulatory developments and technology advancements are changing fixed-income markets. Other learning goals will be determined by the specialty courses chosen.
How can you follow the ICMA Diploma in securities and derivatives?
ICMA degrees are specifically designed to provide capital market professionals with the technical knowledge they need to thrive in their positions and improve their careers. They provide organized, yet flexible, learning programs for people at various stages of their employment. The diplomas are endorsed by the debt capital market’s trade body, which is the standard-setter in several areas of market activity, including primary market issuance, secondary market trading, repo and collateral, and sustainable financing.
The ICMA diploma consists of three or four courses that must all be completed within two years. To get an ICMA diploma, you must satisfy the following requirements:
One or two foundation courses — depending on your career stage, you may choose to begin with the Financial Market Foundation Qualification to learn about different asset classes, then go on to the Introduction to Bond Market Qualification to learn more about analyzing fixed income instruments. Those with greater experience, on the other hand, may not be required to take a foundation course at all. It’s worth noting that all foundation courses are graded, and you must pass the exam(s) before moving on to the next level.
One advanced course – to get a certificate, you must finish our flagship course for secondary markets, the Fixed Income Certificate, and pass the test.
One or two specialist level courses – a regular diploma will usually contain two specialized courses, however if you’ve finished two foundation courses, you may just need to attend one specialty course.
Who can take part in the course?
The diploma is for persons who are joining or have just joined fixed-income markets, or whose duties include a grasp of fixed-income products and markets. Client or market-facing employees at a bank or fund management firm, middle office and operations managers who need more product and market expertise, and individuals working for financial IT service firms, exchanges, and central securities depositories all fall into this category.
Should you follow the diploma in securities and derivatives?
You can expect to receive a solid understanding on how to deal with securities and derivatives by taking part in this course. Learn how to recognize the essential characteristics of derivatives, as well as their evolution and the similarities and differences between different forms of derivatives, such as forward and option-based derivatives, as well as exchange-traded and off-the-counter derivatives.
You can also understand the structural underpinnings of the most important international derivatives contracts, as well as various supply and demand variables that impact markets. Crude oil, natural gas, gold, agricultural commodities, interest rates, and foreign currency are among the markets studied.
This course focuses on the unique characteristics of forward and option-based derivatives pricing. It also covers the distinct price characteristics of financial, energy, metal, and agricultural derivatives.
