“Risk comes from not knowing what you’re doing” – Warren Buffett 

 

As another year drifted away slowly, the annual In-Depth Project returns. This year, I originally planned to pursue my artistic passion for poetry and its publication, which was, admittedly, the topic I attempted, and failed, to pursue last year. But, after my efforts to find a published poetry mentor was unsuccessful (again) and a careful consideration of the time I’ll lose by searching for a mentor, which is actually quite difficult, and dwelling on this topic, I decided to explore financial analysis and its application on the stock market with David. 

 

WHAT & WHY

Financial analysis is the process of evaluating economic trends and finance-related transactions, building long-term plans for business activity, and identify a project or business to invest in, with monetary means or otherwise. When in relation to the stock market, a market place where shares and equities of organizations and companies can be bought, sold, traded, and issued, financial analysis will help determine the value of a stock and whether it’s potentially profitable or not. As a child, both of my parents dabbled in the field of finance, especially the stock market. However, I never had the chance to systematically learn about financial analysis and the stock market, and potentially make informed and knowledgeable investments with my own money. In addition, by exploring finance in depth, I’ll develop transferable skills, such as research, analytical, organizational, time management skills, and consciously shape transmittable qualities, such as patience, discipline, perseverance, and the ability to work and remain calm under pressure. The skills and qualities listed above, along with others unlisted, will aid me in pursuing a career in finance, managing my finance responsibly, and reaching financial independence. 

 

HOW

Finance and the stock market are complex and abstract concepts that require both theoretical and practical knowledge. Through a wealth of educational resources that are available on the internet, including books, like The Economics Book and The Interpretation of Financial Statements, and online sites, like Investopedia and Bloomberg, I will learn about theory-based financial knowledge. Then, through hands-on projects, assigned, guided, and reviewed by our mentor, where I research the value and workings of specific organization companies and compare multiple companies and industries, I’ll gain experience-based knowledge. This project both requires an amount of autonomy and accountability and is reliant on a mentor’s teaching. Content-wise, I’ll learn about how financial analyses are completed and used, how the economy and stock market functions, and how the analyses I composed can help me make investment decisions in the stock market. I’ll also be exploring different types of financial analysis, including the two main types, fundamental analysis and technical analysis. I’ll record my learning through the bi-weekly blog posts and demonstrate my learning through small inquiry-based projects and my final project. 

 

WHAT I NEED 

To help, my peers, my facilitating teacher, Ms. Mulder, and my mentor can hold me accountable for the work I need to complete, the proper management of my time, and perseverance in my field of passion. Furthermore, feel free to share and discuss interesting current events and economic issues with me! 

 

PROGRESS REPORT

Though I’m still waiting for formal confirmation, the completion of volunteer forms, and a criminal record check from my mentor, I’m confident that they can be done before January 12th. To better achieve my vision for this project, I’ll be following a plan, which is inserted below. 

 

Plan: An outline of methods, activities, strategies, people, and resources you can use to meet your challenge	Timetable: The specific dates or times when you will accomplish the steps in your plan
confirm mentor and ensure that they have completed the required forms and criminal record checks	before January 12th
meetings with mentor continue every two weeks	dates TBD
read The Economics Book: Big Ideas Explained and take notes	january 31st
read The Interpretation of Financial Statements and take notes	february 10th
read about, research, and understand the stock market	february 10th
analysis project #1 – topic TBD	february 19th
analysis project #2 – topic TBD	february 26th
analysis project #3 – topic TBD	march 5th
analysis project #4 – topic TBD	march 12th
comparison project #1 – topic TBD	march 19th
comparison project #2 – topic TBD	april 9th
start working on the final project	april 26th
complete final project	may 26th
create in-depth night demonstration	may 30th

 

excited to take a nose dive into the world of finance

joanna