This course is part of the Credit Risk Analysis & Portfolio Management ExpertTrack
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 weeksWeekly study
2 hours100% online
How it worksIncluded in an ExpertTrack
Course 2 of 4
Credit Analysis in Action: Economic and Industry Essentials
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 two-week 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 practical examples and guided 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 of the course, you’ll have a complete understanding of how economic, industry, and ESG factors work together to shape credit risk.
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.
Prove you're job ready
Highlight the new, job-relevant skills you’ve gained and supplement existing qualifications with a hard-earned, industry-specific digital certificate – plus one for every course within your ExpertTrack.
- Learn the latest in your chosen industry or subject.
- Complete each course and pass assessments.
- Receive certificates validated by the educating organisation.
- Impress employers with learning outcomes you can add to your CV.
- Make your career dreams a reality.
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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.
Start learning today - free 2-day trial
After your free trial you can:
- Pay $39 per month to keep learning online
- Have complete control over your subscription; you can cancel any time
- Work at your own pace and set your own deadlines at every stage
- Only pay while you’re learning; the subscription will cancel automatically when you finish
- Complete online assessments to test your knowledge and prove your skills
- Earn digital course certificates and a final award that you can share online, with potential employers, and your professional network
- Keep access to the content of courses you complete even after your subscription ends
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
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