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Financial Economics
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In this class I lecture and assign reading by modules, rather than week-by-week. This gives you some leeway in developing a reading schedule. It is very important that you try to keep up with the reading - background material is very important in this class. Try to pace yourself through this material. Because I try to use reading material that is very topical, including some material that I write and update every semester, links to the reading material assigned to each module are only made available just before the module begins. That is why at the beginning of the semester there are some dark links on this page. Although I will remind you, try to get into the habit of looking at the links on this page when we start a new module.
Homework assignments are typically not collected nor graded, but we will be
discussing them on the dates that they are due. Additionally,
keep all copies of these homework assignments. You may be required to use
them on an examination.
Module 1 - Introduction to Equities
August 30 (Tu)
– September 6 (Tu) : 3 sessions
Introduction to class. Discussion of general investment objectives, strategies, and tactics. NYSE, NASDAQ stocks, reading the quotes, indices, exchanges.
Link to the reading and homework assignments for this module
Module 2 – Equity Performance
September 8 (Th) – September 15 (Th) : 3 sessions
History of the stock market, leverage, classes of stock, electronic trading, some selection and trading strategies
Link to the reading and homework assignments for this module
Module 3 – Mutual Funds, ETFs, and Retirement Accounts
September 20 (Tu) - September 27 (Tu) : 3 sessions
Mutual funds and classifications, fees, performance issues, index funds, portfolio strategies, quotations, online management, exchange traded funds, how they work, classification, as substitutes for mutual funds, retirement accounts like 401-Ks and all classes of IRAs, ESOPs, ISOPs, tax issues.
Link to the reading and homework assignments for this module
First Examination - Thursday, September 29
Module 4 - Put and Call Options
October 4 (Tu) – October 11 (Tu) : 3 sessions
Put and Call Options, trading strategies, writing covered calls, Aruba Options model.
Link to the reading and homework assignments for this module
Module 5 - Yield-Bearing Financial Assets (YBFAs)
October 13 (Th ) - November 1 (Tu) : 5 sessions (Fall break, October 18, is during this period)
U.S. Treasury markets, reading the quotes. Bond values and interest rates, indexing formulas, bond mutual funds, corporate YBFAs, strips, zero-coupons, mortgage-backed markets, munis, money market FAs, repos, derivatives, money market funds. CDOs, ABCPs and the credit meltdown of 2007/2008, the remedies since 2009.
Link to the reading and homework assignments for this module
Second Examination - Thursday, November 3rd
Module 6 – Futures Contracts (and FOREX if
time allows)
November 8 (Tu)
– November 15 (Tu) : 3 sessions
Futures contracts and related derivatives. Hedging strategies. Speculation with futures and arbitrage with futures and other financial assets. The FOREX market and trading in that market (if time allows)
Link to the reading and homework assignments for this module
Module 7 - Real Estate
November 17 (Th) – November 29 (Tu) : 3 sessions (Thanksgiving is during this period)
Real estate financing, market theory, leverage and dangers of leverage, connection to mortgage pass-thru market, home selection, tax issues, escrow, fees, housing ...
There is no homework and the slides and reading chapter are on the lecture slide page.
Module 8 – Investment Strategy and Review
December 1 (Th)
– December 6 (Tu) : 2 sessions
A general discussion of mid-term to long-term
investment strategies. Portfolios,
diversification, mixed investments, investment goals, avoiding disasters.
There are no reading or homework assignments for this section.
In-class portion of Final Examination - Thursday, December 8th at
class time and Take-final distributed on the same day.
Take-home final due Thursday, December 15 noon at Parsons 1261 (sorry, no email
submissions).
Return to Courses Taught by Prof. Evans or to Prof. Evans's Home Page.