This course will focus on the financial theory of asset pricing. While this course will be broad in scope and will cover many different topics relating to finance, a particular emphasis will be placed on topics related to financial markets. The primary topics covered in the class include present value, asset valuation, expected utility, portfolio selection, and the trade-off between risk and return.

Learning Objectives

At the end of the term, students will be able to:

  • Define, model and price various financial instruments, including stocks and bonds
  • Construct optimal portfolios, based on mean-variance efficiency and utility theory, using probability and optimization
  • Use the trading lab to research stocks and select a portfolio of stocks in one sector for semester-long “stock pitching” project.

Measurable Outcomes

  • Price stocks, bonds and work with the term structure of interest rates.
  • Use portfolio theory to select mean-variance optimal portfolios.
  • Provide sector analysis and insight on individual stocks within a sector.
  • Improve professional presentation skills with in class “stock pitches.”

Pre-Requisite Subject(s)

(For Intake AY2019)

(For Intake AY2020 and onwards)

12 Credits

Image Credit (http://live.iugaza.edu.ps/OcwWeb/Sloan-School-of-Management/15-402Finance-Theory-IISpring2003/CourseHome/index.htm)