Economic Factors and Business Information

In this section

• Macroeconomic Analysis
  Review GDP, inflation, unemployment, and the business cycle.
  • Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
    Understand GDP and how it is used to measure economic output.
  • Inflation and Deflation
    Review inflation, deflation, and their effects on the economy and markets.
  • Unemployment Rates
    Study unemployment measures and what they signal about economic conditions.
  • Phases of the Business Cycle
    Understand expansions, peaks, contractions, and troughs in the business cycle.
• Monetary and Fiscal Policy
  Review central-bank tools, government spending, taxation, and policy effects on markets.
  • Federal Reserve Tools and Functions
    Study the Fed’s tools and how monetary policy is implemented.
  • Government Spending and Taxation
    Review fiscal policy through government spending, taxation, and budget decisions.
  • Impact of Monetary and Fiscal Policy
    Understand how policy changes affect the economy, interest rates, and securities markets.
• International Economic Factors
  Review trade, currencies, globalization, and emerging-market effects on investments.
  • Balance of Trade and Payments
    Study trade balances, payment flows, and what they signal about an economy.
  • Exchange Rates and Currency Valuation
    Review currency valuation and how exchange-rate changes affect markets.
  • Globalization and Emerging Markets
    Understand how globalization and emerging markets influence securities markets.
• Financial Statements and Analysis
  Review the main financial statements and the ratios used to interpret them.
  • Income Statements
    Study revenue, expenses, and profitability through the income statement.
  • Balance Sheets
    Review assets, liabilities, and equity on the balance sheet.
  • Cash Flow Statements
    Understand operating, investing, and financing cash flows.
  • Financial Ratios and Metrics
    Review key ratios and metrics used to assess financial performance.
• Market Analysis Techniques
  Study fundamental and technical analysis, market efficiency, and diversification.
  • Fundamental Analysis
    Review how fundamental analysis uses financial and business information to value securities.
  • Technical Analysis
    Study price and volume analysis, chart patterns, and market trends.
  • Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH)
    Understand the efficient market hypothesis and what it implies for investing.
  • Portfolio Diversification and Asset Allocation
    Review diversification and asset-allocation concepts used to manage portfolio risk.