Capital Markets Lab

The mission of the Capital Markets Lab is to promote the importance of financial education and to spread financial literacy awareness throughout the South Florida community. Recognizing the implications financial literacy has on our economy and society, our team strives to educate, not just FIU students, but also our local community. As a research facility dedicated to academic excellence, we aim to prepare students for today’s competitive job market. This involves researching innovative ways to effectively integrate contemporary financial strategies with classroom discussion. By merging conceptual basics with a “hands-on” approach, we seek to enhance student learning while encouraging creativity and innovation in financial decision-making.

Take a virtual tour of the Capital Markets Lab

Virtual Assistant Information

Please note that the Capital Markets Lab – MANGO 230 – is operating with limited hours. CBC 252 remains closed. Hours of operation are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and, Thursdays from 12 - 4 p.m. If you are reaching us during these hours, reach out to a lab representative through zoom.

Updates on our pending re-opening plans for CBC 252 and possible expansion of hours for MANGO 230 will be posted as they become available. 

If your professor has instructed you to utilize the Capital Markets Labs, please note that the professor must schedule lab time and accompany you during the entirety of your visit to the lab. 

If you need further assistance, you may contact us at 305-348-1542 or 305-348-1552. 

- The Capital Markets Lab

Financial Software

  • Bloomberg

    The Bloomberg terminal is a database that enables professionals in the finance sector to access real-time market information from almost anywhere in the world. It has various capabilities such as access to live news updates, information on publicly-traded equities, fixed income data, derivatives, and foreign exchange. This Windows-based application was constructed to be compatible with Excel, which is a key component in the finance industry. Bloomberg exposes FIU students to the most widely used tool for real-time financial data.

    Bloomberg Market Concepts (BMC)

    Students have free access to Bloomberg Market Concepts (BMC), an 8-hour, self-paced e-learning course that provides a visual introduction to the financial markets. Economics, Currencies, Fixed Income, and Equities make up the four BMC modules. The content for the video modules is gathered from Bloomberg data, live news, and analytics. BMC provides students with knowledge of the economy and Bloomberg functions to quickly and efficiently maneuver through the terminal. To use a Bloomberg terminal FIU students can refer to the schedule tab to check for available lab hours.

  • CapitalIQ
  • Rotman Interactive Trader

    Rotman Interactive Trader (RIT) is an application that simulates a stock exchange and allows users to transact financial securities with each other on a real-time basis. The user-friendly and transparent interface has been designed specifically to facilitate the learning experience. Users will be able to see each step of the transaction process occur as they submit their orders to the market and trade with one another. Find more information on the Rotman website.

  • ThinkOrSwim

    ThinkOrSwim Desktop is a feature-rich, downloadable trading platform.  Acquired by TD Ameritrade in 2009, ToS Desktop is used for monitoring, analyzing and trading equities, derivatives, and FOREX. The components include technical studies, portfolio management, and live CNBC news, as well as other additional features. It may be run using either a “paper” money account or a “real” money account on real-time data. 

    In the paperMoney mode, every user is provided with a virtual account funded with $100,000 which may be used to invest or to trade with any strategy at the user’s discretion and may be reset/adjusted at any time. Registering with ToS is free of charge and available to download from any desktop with at least 1GB of Ram, a 2.0 GHz processor, and an internet connection.

    ToS Desktop provides a variety of technical studies including different types of leading and lagging indicators and oscillators. The portfolio management component consists of watch lists, fundamental data, and a range of securities and derivatives to trade for diversification. This trading platform also includes a live CNBC news characteristic to further enhance your trading capabilities and information aggregation. Additionally, a mobile application is available for iPhones, Blackberries, and Nokia phones.

Financial Literacy Programs

Since the fall semester of 2009, the Capital Markets Lab has been working with high school students in the South Florida region in its own self-initiated financial markets training program. These free training courses are held at the Modesto Maidique FIU campus, in the Capital Markets Lab - CBC 252. The course is given by lab interns who are finance majors (or graduate students) with experience in the field. It is aimed at giving students a crash course in the financial markets and investment world, specifically the debt and equity markets. 

The typical meeting consists of a review of the last session, a powerpoint presentation of new material, and a closing with open questions and discussion. The material ranges from market functions to company data and investing techniques. However, the material is constantly being reviewed and acclimated to specific groups based on the previous level of financial literacy.

We have had a great experience thus far with our first group, which comes from the investment club of Christopher Columbus High School. We are open to and have space for any more interested high school students and groups.

List of Programs

  • Employee Financial Literacy Program
  • Greater Miami Adventist Academy
  • Miami Northwestern Senior High School
  • Private Education Literacy Program
  • Upward Bound
  • Women of Tomorrow

Intercollegiate Case Competitions

Each year students from the College of Business at Florida International University proudly participate in a variety of case competitions at both the graduate and undergraduate levels.  Case competitions convert classroom experiences into “real-world” learning opportunities for students, faculty and university business partners.

Learn more

Student Managed Investment Fund (SMIF)

Founded in 2008, the Student Managed Investment Fund (SMIF) was created with the idea of giving students a hands-on experience with equity analysis and portfolio management. 

Learn more about the Student Managed Investment Fund

Media

Media Coverage

Diversity to Find the Holy Grail of InvestingFormer Dean Joanne Li and Flavio Carrillo shared their insights on how diversity can help all investors all take the first steps on the road to what you might call a “holy grail portfolio” – U.S. News & World Report

Videos

Academy of Finance students share winning impressions of FIU Business
As director of the State Farm Financial Literacy Lab, Flavio Carillo introduces Miami-Dade high school students to the lab's real-world tools. He tells how the lab's Wall Street technology can help launch great careers for FIU Business graduates.

Flavio Carrillo, Director, FIU State Farm Financial Literacy Lab
As director of the Lab, Flavio Carillo introduces Miami-Dade high school students to the lab's real-world tools. He tells how the lab's Wall Street technology can help launch great careers for FIU Business graduates.

Educational Media

Bloomberg.com
Advice on doing your taxes, investing in the stock markets and financial planning (Bloomberg.com).
http://www.bloomberg.com/ personal-finance

Cashcourse.org
CashCourse is your real-life guide to taking charge of your money. Our online personal finance tools help you build real-life-ready financial skills (Cashcourse.org).
https://www.cashcourse.org/

Contact Us

Flavio Carrillo
Capital Markets Lab Director

Modesto Maidique Campus, CBC 252A 
Florida International University 
11200 SW 8th Street
Miami, FL 33199 
Phone: 1-305-348-1552