Foundations of Investing and Markets

This unit introduces core investing concepts, asset classes, and how financial markets and institutions operate. Students learn to assess risk and return, build an emergency reserve, evaluate investment products and research sources, and apply basic financial calculations to inform decisions. The unit prepares learners for advanced portfolio construction and strategy in subsequent units.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze common investment vehicles (stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, real estate, and small business ownership) by comparing their risk, return potential, liquidity, and role in a diversified plan
• Evaluate financial institutions, brokerage options, and investment products using cost, fees, services, and alignment with investor goals to recommend appropriate solutions
• Demonstrate the ability to construct a personal emergency reserve and a basic debt-management plan, and apply simple return and risk calculations to assess investment performance
• Interpret financial market information and company disclosures (including annual reports and market indicators) and apply information-literacy skills to distinguish credible research from biased or misleading advice