Financial Economics: An Overview

Financial Economics is a field of economics that studies how resources are used and distributed in different financial markets. It stands out from the other branches of economics because of its focus on monetary operations. Future events, whether they are connected to particular stocks, portfolios, or the Market as a whole, must often be considered in financial decisions.

It uses economic theory to analyse how elements such as time, risk, opportunity costs, and knowledge can produce gains or losses for specific behaviour.

Scope of Financial Economics

Important elements of forex and stock markets, as well as how Inflation, depression, deflation, Recession, pricing, and other financial factors interact, are studied in financial economics. Making investment decisions, detecting risks, and valuing securities and assets all need knowledge of financial economics.

Microeconomics and fundamental Accounting principles are widely used in financial economics. It is a quantitative field that employs Econometrics and other mathematical techniques. It also needs a rudimentary understanding of probability and statistics, as these are the usual instruments for measuring and evaluating risk. A variety of monetary issues, such as interest rates and inflation, are also considered.

Why Study Financial Economics?

Are you drawn to the realm of finance more than anything else? Is your goal to work for a company that specialises in private equity, corporate finance, the banking sector, asset management?

If yes, you must study financial economics because it covers every aspect of finance. You’ll learn about:

• How to achieve a thorough understanding of the factors that drive businesses, markets, and economies.
• How to develop a scientifically sound research project based on financial economic topics of your choice and analyse and explain complicated financial and commercial problems.

Financial Economics Syllabus

The Financial Economics course is a unique curriculum that focuses on providing an in-depth, Industry-relevant understanding of financial economics as well as training in analytic and quantitative methodologies. The topics covered in the syllabus are as follow:

• Econometrics
• Security Analysis and Portfolio Management
• Project Appraisal
• Macroeconomics and Financial Regulations
• International Finance
• Computational Finance with R
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Commercial Banking and Financial Institutions
• Corporate Finance

Important Aspects of Financial Economics

Financial economics is a subject matter associated with decisions related to investment in financial markets like stock markets. It is also linked to microeconomics like insurance and savings. Two of the most important aspects of financial economics are as follow:

1. Management and Diversification of Risk

Almost all financial activities include some level of risk. Anyone who follows the stock market closely will note that the stocks on the market might change trends at any time. Stock investment may yield huge profits, but it also carries considerable risk. If an investor holds two hazardous assets, the performance of one should, in theory, compensate for the performance of the other. In other words, your portfolio must be well managed and diversified so as to minimise the amount of risk.

2. Discounting

Decision-making over time takes into account the notion that the value of a rupee in ten years will be lower than what it is now. In that case, the present value of a payment that is to be received in the future must be discounted, which will be accounted for risk, inflation and other factors influencing the currency. Failure to properly discount might result in issues such as underfunded pension plans.

The Bottom Line

In the end, it can be concluded that with the study of financial economics, investors will be blessed with the information they need to make well-informed predictions about their investment choices. As part of their education, they’ll learn about the dangers and risk factors associated with their investments, as well as the Fair Value of the asset they seek to purchase and the rules that govern the financial markets in which they are involved. In turn, it results in an efficient decision.