Learn Finance 101

Sustainable and green finance, centered on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing, is a cornerstone of the financial landscape in 2025.

September showed a global economy tougher than expected—OECD's upgrade to 3.2% growth clashes with World Bank's 2.3% slowdown warning, labour holds firm but inflation sticks. Markets ended down weekly despite Friday's bounce, as valuation worries and tariffs temper Fed-fuelled gains. With debt burdens high and AI reshaping jobs, resilience meets risks head-on.

Neoclassical economics, emerging in the late 19th century, is the backbone of modern mainstream economics, emphasizing rational choice, marginal utility, and market equilibrium. Pioneered by Alfred Marshall, William Stanley Jevons, Carl Menger, and Leon Walras, it built on classical economics but introduced mathematical rigor and subjective value.

AI and ML are pivotal in 2025, offering unmatched efficiency and innovation. Financial institutions embracing these technologies will gain a competitive edge, provided they navigate challenges like bias and regulation responsibly. The future of finance is data-driven, with AI at its core, promising a more efficient and accessible ecosystem.

September 14-20 was a turning point: the Fed's rate cut sparked market euphoria, but sticky inflation and a cautious outlook kept the mood in check. With tariffs, geopolitics, and debt concerns simmering, the global economy's resilience is tested. The IMF and World Bank see growth, but risks are mounting. Is this a soft landing or a bumpy ride ahead? Tune in next week for the next chapter.

Keynesian economics, developed by John Maynard Keynes in the 1930s, emphasizes government intervention to manage demand and stabilize economies. It argues that aggregate demand drives output and employment, not supply. Key concepts include fiscal policy, the multiplier effect, and the rejection of Say's Law. Keynesian policies dominated post-WWII but faced challenges during the 1970s stagflation. Despite criticisms, it remains central to macroeconomic policy, advocating countercyclical measures.

Classical economics, emerging in the late 18th century, emphasizes free markets, individual initiative, and minimal government intervention. Key figures like Adam Smith, David Ricardo, and Thomas Malthus shaped its principles, advocating for self-regulating markets, division of labor, and comparative advantage. Criticisms include its neglect of market failures and assumptions of perfect information. Its legacy influences modern neoliberal policies and global trade patterns.

Summary of what's happened in the markets this week.

In this episode we will discuss "the Greeks", risk measures that help traders understand how different factors affect the price of options. Key Greeks include Delta (sensitivity to underlying asset price changes), Gamma (rate of change of Delta), Theta (time decay), Vega (sensitivity to volatility), and Rho (sensitivity to interest rates). Mastery of these measures is essential for effective hedging and risk management strategies.

In this episode we talk about alpha and beta, key metrics for evaluating performance and risk. Together, alpha and beta help investors assess whether returns are due to good investment choices or broader market movements.

This episode talks about Kapitalverwaltungsgesellschaften (KVGs), German financial institutions managing investment funds and collective investment schemes. They handle daily operations, investment decisions, portfolio management, and regulatory compliance. KVGs manage various investment vehicles, including mutual funds, hedge funds, private equity funds, and real estate funds, serving both institutional and individual investors.

In this episode, we delve into the concept of portfolio exclusions in ESG investing. Discover how investors align their investments with ethical values by excluding companies that don't meet specific environmental, social, and governance criteria. We explore the impact of excluding industries like fossil fuels, tobacco, and weapons, and discuss the benefits of avoiding companies with poor labor practices or governance issues. Learn how these exclusions can help manage risk and reflect your values.

In this episode, we dive into the world of crowdfunding—a powerful way to raise money and support innovative projects and businesses. We explain how crowdfunding works, the different types (reward-based, equity, debt, and donation-based), and highlight key players in the UK like Crowdcube, Seedrs, Funding Circle, and GoFundMe. Discover how crowdfunding democratizes investment opportunities, allowing everyday people to support and invest in ideas they believe in. 

This episode explains the impact of taxes on various types of investments. It covers how interest income, dividends, rental income, and capital gains are taxed, highlighting the differences between short-term and long-term capital gains. The paragraph also discusses tax-deferred accounts like IRAs and 401(k)s, and the benefits of Roth accounts.

In this episode, we explore ISAs (Individual Savings Accounts) and how they can help you save or invest tax-free. We'll break down the different types of ISAs—Cash, Stocks & Shares, Lifetime, and Innovative Finance—and discuss which one might be right for your financial goals. Whether you're saving for the future or looking to grow your investments, this episode will give you a clear understanding of how ISAs work and how to make the most of their benefits.

In this episode, we dive into the world of crypto staking—what it is, how it works, and why it's gaining popularity among cryptocurrency investors. We'll explain the basics of staking, how it differs from mining, and how you can earn rewards by helping to secure blockchain networks.

In this episode, we break down the world of Treasury bonds—what they are, how they work, and why they're a key tool for both investors and the U.S. government. From understanding interest rates to exploring the role of bonds in your investment portfolio, we'll cover the basics and help you decide if Treasury bonds are the right fit for your financial strategy.

In this episode, we unravel the complexities of digital custody for crypto assets—exploring the hot and cold storage, and the best practices for keeping your digital wealth safe. Whether you're a seasoned investor or just dipping your toes into the blockchain, we'll guide you through the ins and outs of protecting your crypto.

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of retirement savings with a breakdown of the two heavyweights: Defined Benefit (DB) and Defined Contribution (DC) pension plans. Wondering which one can better secure your financial future? We'll explain how DB plans promise a steady retirement income while DC plans offer flexibility and growth potential—but with more risk. Whether you're planning your retirement or simply curious, this episode uncovers the key differences of each.

In this episode we're diving into two very different approaches to investing.

This episode is also available as a blog post at https://learnfinance101.com/

This episode is also available as a blog post at https://learnfinance101.com/

This episode is also available as a blog post at https://learnfinance101.com/

This episode is also available as a blog post at https://learnfinance101.com/

This episode is also available as a blog post at https://learnfinance101.com/

This episode is also available as a blog post at https://learnfinance101.com/

This episode is also available as a blog post at https://learnfinance101.com/

This episode is also available as a blog post: https://learnfinance101.com/2023/10/05/what-are-hedge-funds/

This episode is also available as a blog post: https://learnfinance101.com/2023/02/26/what-is-asset-management-industry/

This episode is also available as a blog post: https://learnfinance101.com/2023/03/10/futures-and-forwards/

This episode is also available as a blog post: https://learnfinance101.com/2024/02/04/business-cycles/

This episode is also available as a blog post: https://learnfinance101.com/2024/01/28/rene-benkos-property-empire-fall/

This episode is also available as a blog post: https://learnfinance101.com/2024/01/21/credit-suisse-a-brief-history-of-scandal-and-collapse/

This episode is also available as a blog post: https://learnfinance101.com/2023/10/08/biases-and-behavioural-finance/

This episode is also available as a blog post: https://learnfinance101.com/2023/12/03/what-are-options/(opens in a new tab)

This episode is also available as a blog post: https://learnfinance101.com/2023/11/30/financial-crisis-in-2008/

This episode is also available as a blog post: https://learnfinance101.com/2023/11/26/market-update-20-26-november-2023/

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://learnfinance101.com/2022/08/07/weekly-market-update-01-07-august-2022/

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://learnfinance101.com/2022/08/07/what-is-a-yield-curve/

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://learnfinance101.com/2022/07/31/25-07-31-07-weekly-market-update/

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://learnfinance101.com/2021/11/07/diversification-and-why-having-all-eggs-in-one-basket-is-riskier/

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://learnfinance101.com/2021/10/31/measuring-risk-101/

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://learnfinance101.com/2021/10/19/measuring-returns-101/

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://learnfinance101.com/2021/10/28/what-are-financial-funds/

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://learnfinance101.com/2021/10/23/what-is-depreciation/

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://learnfinance101.com/2021/10/18/cash-statement-and-how-it-links-to-other-statements/

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://learnfinance101.com/2021/10/14/income-statement-yin-and-yang-of-the-companys-profits/

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://learnfinance101.com/2021/10/11/balance-sheet-and-its-three-horsemen/

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://learnfinance101.com/2021/10/08/investing-101-whats-this-blog-about/

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://learnfinance101.com/2021/10/29/what-are-structured-products/

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://learnfinance101.com/2021/10/20/what-are-derivatives/