I want to become more familiar with financial markets

<p>Hey all, this is geared to people working in the finance field... I've been reading up alot on current news about the financial markets. My question is, I want to become more fluent and aware of whats going on in the world of finance. Where is the best place to go for this sort of information? Thanks</p>

<p>Wall Street Journal.</p>

<p>Google is your best friend.</p>

<p>Is there a "learn from scratch" self-study guide to the markets? Just to learn about basic functions, terminology, culture, etc.; not necessarily anything significantly technical.</p>

<p>Harvard economist Greggory Mankiw wrote an excellent introduction to microeconomics textbook. This would give you a better overall understanding of economics and finance as a result (to a limited degree). I believe he also published a macroeconomics text. Business Week has a weekly podcast that covers news in the financial markets. They also provide clear and concise explanations of certain financial terms (like CODs). NPR and the Economist have decent coverage as well.</p>

<p>I have both the micro- and macroeconomics texts by Mankiw. I'm looking for more of a structured "insider" guide that will introduce me to terminology and culture--also topics like firm reputation.</p>

<p>Read the economist.</p>

<p>Economist is probably the best publication in the english language. You will just have a better world view (not just fin markets). </p>

<p>Instead of getting WSJ which can be tedious to read daily, subscribe to DealBook by NYT which is like a daily newsletter linking you to other articles that will let you keep up with the news. As for firm reputation, there are league tables published as well as forums that spend an obnoxious amt of time on this issue. </p>

<p>There is no exact book or website that will get you up to pace. Its a learning process. Read good publications, browse the internet (google is indeed your friend....don't know what CDOs are, just google) and you will be in good shape. </p>

<p>I will point out tho, that many of this journalists/author were the folks that weren't able to cut it in finance. I can think of two authors right off the top of my head who come off as narcissist, bitter guys who, more or less, failed as practitioners. A lot of journalists also have no idea what they are recommending so eventually you will need to use your judgment. But that really won't be a problem for what you want to do...just don't recite something you read to people in the field.</p>

<p>Thanks for the tip, mahras. DealBook looks like a useful resource.</p>

<p>I just recently discovered <a href="http://www.investopedia.com/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.investopedia.com/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Check out their tutorials section, has a lot of great stuff on financial topics for beginners and advanced alike.</p>

<p>check out finance.yahoo.com or thestreet.com</p>

<p>Last2AcntsBanned - reading the articles on DealBook or subscribing to their newsletter is of great help on current events in the finance world.</p>

<p>But econ. and finance are 2 different things....</p>

<p>You need to know the basics of econ to do well in finance.</p>

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