Overview

An overview of financial markets and instruments; Review of the concepts of risk and return; Portfolio theory and diversification; The capital asset pricing model; Other asset pricing models; Efficient markets, behavioural finance and anomalies; Hedging, speculation and arbitrage; Foreign exchange and derivative markets; Option characteristics and option pricing; Forwards and futures.

Assessment Strategy

Threshold c- to c+ (50-59%): Satisfactory performance. 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. Knowledge of key areas/principles only. Weaknesses in understanding of some areas. Limited evidence of background study. Answer inadequately focused on task and with some irrelevant material and poor structure. Arguments presented but lack coherence. Minor factual/computational errors. Lacking original interpretation.

Good B- to B+ (60-69%): 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. Understands most but not all concepts/issues. Evidence of background study. Focused answer with good structure. Arguments presented coherently. Mostly free of factual errors. Some limited original interpretation. Well known links between topics are described. Problems addressed by existing methods/approaches. Good presentation with accurate communication

Excellent standard: 70+ An outstanding performance, exceptionally able. 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.

Learning Outcomes

• Apply finance theory to portfolio selection and asset pricing.

• Critically evaluate empirical evidence concerning the operation of international financial markets.

• Demonstrate a good understanding of the derivative and foreign exchange markets, including the roles of hedging, speculation and arbitrage.

• Demonstrate a good understanding of the pricing of the main financial assets traded in international financial markets.

• Demonstrate an awareness of the implications of finance theory for best practice in investment strategy and portfolio management.