• Starweaver Logo

Credit Analysis in Action: Economic and Industry Essentials

Unlock the skills to confidently assess credit risk and see how real-world trends drive financial decisions.

  • Duration

    2 weeks
  • Weekly study

    2 hours
  • Languages

    English, Italiano, Español, Français, PortuguêsEnglish, Italiano, Español
  • Premium course

    $69What's included?

Build real-world credit analysis skills that move your career forward

When prices rise at the pump or the grocery store, it’s not just inflation - it’s credit risk, investment shifts, and financial stability in motion. This course explores the global trends shaping real-world financial decisions.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to advance your finance career, you’ll gain economic insights as you learn from experts, analyse real data, and feel confident to assess credit risk in any market.

Understand the forces behind credit risk

You’ll start by exploring how economic indicators, market cycles, and interest rates influence creditworthiness. Learn how professionals assess complex data to evaluate financial stability and uncover what drives changes in credit markets.

You’ll also examine how shifts in the global economy affect everything from corporate performance to portfolio risk, helping you see the bigger picture behind every credit decision.

Apply credit analysis in real-world contexts

Next, dive into industry dynamics to understand how different sectors respond to change. Through examples and activities, you’ll learn how to identify both opportunities and warning signs in credit markets.

You’ll apply what you learn to real financial scenarios, developing the ability to make data-driven, evidence-based credit assessments that mirror the work of finance professionals.

Integrate ESG principles for modern financial analysis

Finally, discover how environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors are reshaping credit analysis. You’ll learn how to integrate ESG insights into your evaluations to make responsible, forward-thinking financial decisions.

By the end, you’ll have an understanding of how economic, industry, and ESG factors work together to shape credit risk.

Explore our ExpertTrack: Credit Risk Analysis & Portfolio Management.

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    Credit Risk Fundamentals and Macroeconomic Factors

    • Lesson 1: Macroeconomic and Industry Factors in Credit Analysis

      Explore how economic factors like inflation, interest rates, and industry dynamics affect credit risk. Analyse the impact of economic cycles, recessions, and global risks through case studies and hands-on exercises.

    • Lesson 2: High-Yield and Distressed Debt Markets

      Learn about high-yield bonds, distressed debt, and their associated risks. Examine default recovery, restructuring, and the differences between high-yield and investment-grade bonds, using real-world case studies and exercises.

  • Week 2

    ESG Integration and Advanced Credit Analysis

    • Lesson 3: ESG Integration in Credit Analysis

      Discover how ESG factors affect credit assessments. Learn how environmental, social, and governance considerations influence credit ratings and explore challenges in integrating ESG into traditional credit risk analysis.

    • Lesson 4: Corporate vs Sovereign Bond Analysis

      Comparing risk factors and assessment techniques.

    • Lesson 5: Comprehensive Credit Analysis Capstone

      Apply professional credit analysis methodologies through stress testing and bond comparison. Complete a capstone project that demonstrates the integration of all techniques in a real-world credit risk assessment.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Analyse macroeconomic and industry factors affecting credit risk across market cycles.
  • Evaluate specialised credit markets including high-yield and distressed debt.
  • Integrate ESG factors into comprehensive credit risk assessments.
  • Execute complete credit analysis projects using professional methodologies.

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for finance professionals, analysts, and investors who want to deepen their understanding of credit risk and strengthen their financial analysis skills.

Who will you learn with?

Who developed the course?

Starweaver

Starweaver is a next generation platform that engages your workforce as no other. Combining business and technical skills, Starweaver provides real-time skill building that is in line with your business objectives and strategies, and in your associates day to day tasks and jobs.

What's included?

This is a premium course. These courses are designed for professionals from specific industries looking to learn with a smaller group of like-minded individuals.

  • Unlimited access to this course
  • Includes any articles, videos, peer reviews and quizzes
  • Certificate of Achievement to prove your success when you're eligible
  • Download and print your Certificate of Achievement anytime

Still want to know more? Check out our FAQs

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn

Do you know someone who'd love this course? Tell them about it...