Hello,I'm a college student majoring in EECS and math. I don't have any finance background, and would like to understand terms like fixed income, equities, futures, etc. Is there a reading, book, or open college course that gives a broad introduction with the basics of each of them?Thank you

Investments - Bodie Kane MarcusThis book might offer a little more than you are asking for at the moment, but it is widely used in MBA and Finance programs and will serve you very well.

Thank you, I'll definitely look into it. I just hope it starts from ground zero, because my current knowledge is rather scarce. Is there anything more concise to get me started?

It's a tome. But if finance catches your interest, it will lay a good foundation for you.It has been on my shelf for a long time and I still refer to it on occasion.

QuoteOriginally posted by: theRedBaronThank you, I'll definitely look into it. I just hope it starts from ground zero, because my current knowledge is rather scarce. Is there anything more concise to get me started?I would recommended you any good book in financial accounting just to start building on a solid base.

QuoteOriginally posted by: AnthisQuoteOriginally posted by: theRedBaronThank you, I'll definitely look into it. I just hope it starts from ground zero, because my current knowledge is rather scarce. Is there anything more concise to get me started?I would recommended you any good book in financial accounting just to start building on a solid base.That would be very useful as a sleep aid as well.

QuoteOriginally posted by: trackstarQuoteOriginally posted by: AnthisQuoteOriginally posted by: theRedBaronThank you, I'll definitely look into it. I just hope it starts from ground zero, because my current knowledge is rather scarce. Is there anything more concise to get me started?I would recommended you any good book in financial accounting just to start building on a solid base.That would be very useful as a sleep aid as well. I bet 100 litres of rice pud, that at least 90% of people here with maths or engineering background are unable to grasp a random corporate balance sheet. Yet, they invest and trade in stocks for personal or professional reasons.

That would be rice pudding for those of you who have not followed my discussion of desserts with Anthis in the Off Topic. **I agree that at some point, someone who is interested in finance should get down to the brass tacks of financial accounting.But I am not sure that is a good place to start.I have Financial Accounting - Stickney and Weil and also (I have to go out to my library and see which one...).Ah yes, Financial Accounting - Needles and PowersThese were not my inspiration in life.***But joking aside, either of these books would be useful. They are both somewhat US-centric though.

QuoteOriginally posted by: theRedBaronThank you, I'll definitely look into it. I just hope it starts from ground zero, because my current knowledge is rather scarce. Is there anything more concise to get me started?Get someone who's done the CFA to lend/give you their level 1 books.Or have a look at these lists:http://www.markjoshi.com/RecommendedBoo ... or-quants/

QuoteOriginally posted by: HansiGet someone who's done the CFA to lend/give you their level 1 books.Or do CFA yourself M.

McGraw Hill Mastering Financial Calculations. A basic guide by most peoples standards on this forum, but means you will understand the basics of how to value simple products before mvoing on to derivatives.Another one is How the City works, for more of a broad brush understanding of how the City of London works, and includes insitutions like Lloyds which are pretty much one off.

1. Open a brokerage account (fx, equities, or futures - doesn't matter) and start trading. You'll learn very fast when you have money on the line.2. Rather than text books, go for 'story' books. Far more interesting to read but will also give you a good idea of history, people, and different types of trades. As an undergrad I found them far more helpful than any text book.- Try anything by Roger Lowenstein. - Dunbar's book on LTCM is pretty good as well. - Barbarians at the Gate gives a good picture of the investment banking / M&A business. A bit dated, but principles are the same.- Smartest Guys in the Room - about the downfall of Enron. Teaches about people's motivations, earnings management, structured vehicles.- Liar's Poker, and The Big Short by Michael Lewis

QuoteOriginally posted by: sidml1. Open a brokerage account (fx, equities, or futures - doesn't matter) and start trading. You'll learn very fast when you have money on the line.2. Rather than text books, go for 'story' books. Far more interesting to read but will also give you a good idea of history, people, and different types of trades. As an undergrad I found them far more helpful than any text book.- Try anything by Roger Lowenstein. - Dunbar's book on LTCM is pretty good as well. - Barbarians at the Gate gives a good picture of the investment banking / M&A business. A bit dated, but principles are the same.- Smartest Guys in the Room - about the downfall of Enron. Teaches about people's motivations, earnings management, structured vehicles.- Liar's Poker, and The Big Short by Michael LewisGood point. My favorite is Traders Guns and Money by Das. It is the only "story" book that I have read that has reflected my experience in banking.

I agree with Rmax & Sid,I would also recomend:- Reminiscences of a Stock operator by Edwin Lefivre- Capital Ideas by Peter Bernstein- Fool's Gold by Gillian Tett- A Demon of our own design by Richard Bookstaber- The Poker Face of Wall Street by Aaron Brown.A little off topic, but a really superb read was:The Creature from Jekyll Island A wonderful historial illumination of the origins of the Wall Street 'Money Centre' cartels and the creation of the Federal Reserve

My 2 cents:Very basic but to the point:a) Fundamentals of Financial Management Eugene Brigham...It's the text I use in all my basic finance courses