Overview

The module may cover but will not be limited to the following aspects: Investors and investment objectives; Investment management process; Investment risk and return; Portfolio theory; Capital Asset Pricing Model; Valuation (time value of money); Fixed Income securities (characteristics, global bond markets, valuation, understanding credit ratings and yield); Equities (characteristics, valuation, global equity markets); Efficient Market Hypothesis and Portfolio management strategies; Factor Investing; Current Investment themes; Responsible Investment, including Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors; Performance measurement and attribution; The strategies of hedge funds and sovereign wealth funds.

Assessment Strategy

Excellent: A- to A* (70%+): Outstanding performance. The relevant information accurately deployed. Excellent grasp of theoretical/conceptual/practice elements. Good integration of theory/practice/information in pursuit of the assessed work's objectives. Strong evidence of the use of creative and reflective skills.

Good: B- to B+ (60-69%): Very good performance. Most of the relevant information accurately deployed. Good grasp of theoretical/conceptual/practical elements. Good integration of theory/practice/information in pursuit of the assessed work's objectives. Evidence of the use of creative and reflective skills.

Satisfactory: C- to C+ (50-59%): Much of the relevant information and skills mostly accurately deployed. Adequate grasp of theoretical/conceptual/practical elements. Fair integration of theory/practice/information in the pursuit of the assessed work's objectives. Some evidence of the use of creative and reflective skills.

Threshold: D- to D+ (49-49%): No major omissions or inaccuracies in the deployment of information/skills. Some grasp of theoretical/conceptual/practical elements. Integration of theory/practice/information present intermittently in pursuit of the assessed work's objectives.

Learning Outcomes

• Analyse the mechanics of investment in financial markets and the main features of key global markets.

• Apply appropriate techniques to measure and interpret the performance and the risk associated with investment strategies.

• Apply basic valuation techniques to equity and fixed income instruments and demonstrate understanding of the principal drivers of returns.

• Critically analyse investment strategies relating to investment institutions including pension funds, hedge funds and sovereign wealth funds, and the merits and controversies relating to sustainable investing and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors.

• Critically analyse theoretical and empirical perspectives relating to market efficiency, active and passive portfolio management.

• Evaluate the typical investment objectives of key classes of investors, including the risk-return relationship, and analyse the role of asset allocation and portfolio diversification.