The Bloom Prep blog — CFA® exam strategy, investing ideas, and stories from people who've been through it.
When I saw a request go out for help sharing my experience and insight by contributing a guest post to a new blog, I thought it would be a great opportunity to shine a light on a smaller group in the CFA charterholder community. I am a CFA charterholder, and I do not work in the money management or financial services industry.
Read article →
The word alpha has many meanings. In finance, we use the term to describe the excess risk-adjusted rate of return in reference to some benchmark. This definition is in no way incorrect, but it’s a shallow application of the word.
The time or term structure of interest rates, often referred to as “yield curves,” moves continuously as bond prices respond to changes in interest rates. The yield curve graphs this relationship between bond yields (change in price reflected in yield) and bond maturity (time or term).
So you made a decision to become a CFA® charterholder, registered for the CFA level 1 exams, and have prepared thus far. Well done! Now, remember, CFA Level 1 is only the first of three battles which you have to wage to get to your goal: the CFA charter.
My background may differ from many candidates, in that although I work at an asset management firm, I work in a legal-compliance role. Even though I do not participate in core investment analysis for my firm, pursuing the CFA charter has been invaluable to me in terms of having the proper context to give guidance.
An average four-year commitment to pass all three exams is not your typical career stepping stone. Accomplishing this crazy feat in the minimum two and a half years should warrant an extra letter in the designation for awesomeness, or receive some sort of lifetime VIP pass to…well, EVERYTHING.
Hi. My name is Ben, and I’m a CFA. And the fact that you’re reading this blog means that you’re at least curious about becoming one too. As a charterholder, I understand what it means and what it costs to make that commitment—both in dollars and in your personal life.
A discount rate helps analysts and managers determine the value (or potential value) of an investment or portfolio. They’re an important part of the CFA® Level I exam.
Despite what many would like to believe, the active vs. passive debate is very much alive and kicking.In fact, it has never been so relevant. One just needs to look at flows, performance, and regulatory agendas. All seem to lean toward the passive camp, while active managers are trying to find ways to keep their jobs.
I recently spoke to a finance class at a local college, a group of third-year finance students looking for an opportunity to hear from industry professionals. I have had the pleasure of speaking to groups of students like this on various occasions and I always enjoy it.
Alternative data sets have been expanding rapidly in the last five years. From satellite imagery to POS transaction receipts and phone location data, the realm of the measurable has expanded, requiring infrastructure and skills to exploit properly. AI and machine learning are helpful, but is it an intellectual pursuit or adds value to a fundamental process?
The old world of investing has lately been crumbling. Passive investment management has captured the bulk of equity inflows, which has fueled remarkable growth in index mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs).