Investing Like a Wall Street Pro

This investment course outlines the overall economic and business model concepts used by fund managers and professional Wall Street analysts. By diving deep into “economic moats” (a term Warren Buffett uses to describe competitive advantages), learn how industries behave differently according to the business cycle and which stocks may perform better. We will solidify our foundation in investments by coming to a basic understanding of financial statements and ratios for building a portfolio. With this foundation, you will study several case studies of renowned companies (e.g., Apple, Disney, Nike, and SnapChat) by analyzing information and business models in real time during class. Using financial model templates, you will learn to forecast the most important factors of sales growth, operating margins, and capital expenditures. We will build cash flow models to value the companies and explore other valuation methods such as comparable company ratios. The course will culminate with instruction on conducting research using annual reports, financial software, and websites.
Continuing Education Units (CEU) : 0

You'll walk away with

• An understanding of the most important concepts that drive the economy and industries, including the business cycle, competition, cash flow, and company analysis
• The ability to read the three main financial statements and apply valuation ratios and project numbers using real-time information
• A self-built valuation model done manually or by using a financial website
• An NYU transcript showing grade(s) earned upon completion of the course (Please note: No college credit or certificate of completion is granted for this course.)

Ideal for

• High school students who have completed grades 9, 10, or 11
• High school students who want to learn how brand-name companies make money, how to understand business models, and how to value stocks