Advanced Course
At Birdi.in, we guide our students and clients in identifying high-potential investment opportunities in the stock market. Leveraging fundamental and technical analysis, we help you make informed decisions to grow your portfolio responsibly and strategically.
Beginner Certificate in Financial Markets
Welcome to the Beginner Certificate in Financial Markets, an entry-level program designed to turn curious learners into confident traders.
At Birdi.in, we believe trading is not gambling — it’s a disciplined skill built through knowledge, practice and mindset. This book will guide you through the structure of the global financial system, stock markets, forex, commodities and practical trading execution using modern tools like TradingView and MetaTrader 5 (MT5).
Every chapter ends with review exercises, real-life examples, and practical projects. By the end, you’ll know not only how the market works but also how to work the market intelligently.
Table of Contents
📚 Table of Contents
1. Introduction to Global Financial Markets
2. Understanding the Stock Market
3. Forex & Commodity Market Fundamentals
4. Trading Platforms — TradingView & MetaTrader 5
5. Risk, Reward & Money Management
6. Trader’s Psychology and Discipline
7. Legal Framework & Market Ethics
8. Final Assessment: 100 Marks (Theory + Practical)
🧭 Chapter 1: Introduction to Global Financial Markets
Financial markets are systems where buyers and sellers exchange financial assets — such as stocks, currencies, commodities, or derivatives. They allow for capital formation, price discovery, and risk transfer.
Types include:
• Capital Markets (Stocks, Bonds)
• Money Markets (Short-term lending)
• Forex Markets (Currencies)
• Commodity Markets (Gold, Oil, Agricultural goods)
• Derivatives Markets (Futures, Options, CFDs)
• Economic Growth: Companies raise money through IPOs and bond issues.
• Employment Generation: Financial services create millions of jobs.
• Wealth Creation: Enables individuals to invest and grow capital.
• Liquidity: Easy buying and selling of assets at fair prices.
• Retail Traders: Individuals trading on personal accounts.
• Institutional Investors: Banks, mutual funds, hedge funds.
• Market Makers: Provide liquidity by constantly quoting buy/sell prices.
• Brokers: Middlemen like VT Markets who execute orders.
• Regulators: SEBI (India), SEC (US), FCA (UK).
Global events (interest rate changes, inflation data, elections) heavily influence markets.
Traders use economic calendars to anticipate volatility.
Example: When the US Federal Reserve raises interest rates, the USD usually strengthens while equity markets may fall.
1. Define capital market and give 2 examples.
2. Who are market makers and what is their role?
3. How can inflation data affect the forex market?
💹 Chapter 2: Understanding the Stock Market
A stock represents ownership in a company. Buying shares gives you a claim on the company’s assets and earnings.
India: NSE (National Stock Exchange) and BSE (Bombay Stock Exchange)
Global: NYSE, NASDAQ, LSE
An index measures market performance using a group of stocks.
Examples:
• NIFTY 50 – Top 50 companies on NSE
• SENSEX – 30 companies on BSE
• Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) – 30 major US companies
2.6 Example Chart — NIFTY 50 Trend
1. What is the difference between NSE and BSE?
2. Define stop-loss order.
3. Explain “distribution phase” in your own words.
💱 Chapter 3: Forex & Commodity Market Fundamentals
Forex (Foreign Exchange) is the global marketplace for buying and selling currencies.
• Always traded in pairs: e.g., EUR/USD, GBP/INR
• Measured in pips (percentage in point).
Where raw materials (gold, silver, oil) are traded through spot or futures contracts.
Leverage lets traders control large positions with small capital.
Example: 1:100 leverage means ₹1,000 controls ₹1,00,000 worth of trades.
⚠️ Warning: Higher leverage = higher risk.
• Globally regulated broker
• Provides MetaTrader 5 platform
• Offers multiple asset classes (FX, commodities, indices)
• Transparent spreads and fast execution
1. Define leverage in your own words.
2. Why do traders prefer VT Markets?
3. Explain “pip” with example.
🖥️ Chapter 4: Trading Platforms — TradingView & MT5
• Web-based charting platform
• Features: indicators, alerts, replay mode
• How to create your watchlist
• Drawing tools (trendlines, Fibonacci, etc.)
• Used for live and demo trading
• Layout: Market Watch, Navigator, Terminal
• Placing orders: Buy/Sell, Stop-Loss, Take-Profit
• Viewing trade history and equity curve
Step-by-step:
1. Open demo account on VT Markets
2. Choose EUR/USD
3. Set trade size 0.01 lots
4. Add stop loss and take profit
5. Execute and monitor in MT5
1. Identify three features unique to TradingView.
2. What is the difference between MT4 and MT5?
3. Perform one demo trade and record P/L result.
⚖️ Chapter 5: Risk, Reward & Money Management
R:R = Potential Profit ÷ Potential Loss
Example: Target ₹1,000, Stop-loss ₹500 → R:R = 2:1
Formula:
Risk per trade = (Account × %Risk) ÷ Stop-loss distance
• Never risk more than 2% per trade
• Avoid over-leverage
• Keep emergency reserve fund
1. How is R:R ratio calculated?
2. Why is position sizing important?
3. What is the maximum risk per trade suggested for beginners?
🧠 Chapter 6: Trader’s Psychology and Discipline
• Emotions: Fear, Greed, Hope
• Developing a trader’s mindset
• Journaling every trade
• Handling losses and avoiding revenge trading
• Building patience through routine
“Trading success is 80% psychology and 20% strategy.”
⚖️ Chapter 7: Legal Framework & Market Ethics
• Role of SEBI in regulating Indian markets
• Rules against insider trading
• Avoiding unregistered advisory
• Importance of transparent communication
