Learning objectives
The first part of the course aims to examine the principles which should guide the
investment choices, the evaluation criteria and the operational techniques. The
analysis concerns bonds, equities and financial derivatives.
Finally, in the second part, the course will examine the principles which should
guide the choices of composition and management of financial portfolios. At the end
of the course, students will have acquired:
a. the knowledge necessary to understand the technical characteristics of financial
instruments and techniques for the management and evaluation of a financial
portfolio;
b. the ability to apply the acquired knowledge to critically analyze the financial
instruments and make aware investment choices that are consistent with the needs
of a potential investor;
c. the critical capacity (independent judgment) to evaluate independently the
problems associated with financial investment analysis and selection;
d. the ability to use a consistent technical language appropriate to communicate
with financial market operators, such as private bankers and, more generally,
financial advisors;
e. the ability to learn through a logical method, which consists of identifying the
problems and critical analyzing the adopted solutions.
Prerequisites
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Course unit content
• Financial markets and securities intermediaries: institutional and regulatory
principles
• The primary market
• The organization and functioning of the secondary market
• The analysis of investments in fixed-coupon bonds
• The term structure: theoretical elements, measurement methods and interest rate
forecast
• Corporate bonds
• The analysis of equity investments: principles of fundamental analysis
• Financial investment analysis. The Technical Analysis
• The Markowitz's Portfolio Selection Theory
• The Capital Asset Pricing Model
• Management strategies of equity and bond portfolios: the extension of risk and
performance indicators from the single security to portfolio
• Benchmarks: Functions and main characteristics.
• The active and passive portfolio management.
• Performance evaluation: the measurement of performance and risk.
• Risk-adjusted performance indicators
• Portfolio hedging techniques using futures
• Portfolio hedging techniques using options
• The analysis of management styles.
Full programme
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Bibliography
Gandolfi G., Scelta e gestione degli investimenti finanziari, Bancaria Editrice, Roma,
2018.
Teaching methods
Knowledge and understanding: lectures
• Applying knowledge and understanding: exercises
• Making judgements: during this module, students will be encouraged to identify
strengths and weaknesses of financial instruments and intermediation models
• Learning skills: each topic will be addressed first, explaining the problem to be
solved, and then critically analyzing the adopted solutions
• Communication skills: the teacher will illustrate the meaning of the most common
terms used by the financial community.
Assessment methods and criteria
Written test.
The written Examination will be of 1-hour and 30-minute duration
The final score relative to the course is equal to 30/30 and will be calculated as
follows:
The knowledge will be tested with 2 closed-ended questions, that will be assessed
up to 2 points each
The ability to apply knowledge will be verified with 1 exercise, that will be assessed
up to 8 points
The ability to communicate with technical language will be tested through 2 closedended
questions about the meaning of terms used by financial market experts, that
will be assessed up to 2 points each
The autonomy of judgment and the ability to learn will be verified with 2 open-ended
questions, that will be evaluated up to 7 points each.
Honors, or distinction, will be awarded to students who in addition to achieving full marks, demonstrate overall systematic knowledge of the subject, outstanding ability in applying knowledge and independence of thought, and excellent writing skills in the case of a written exam paper or excellent communication skills in the case of an oral examination.
Devices such as smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, etc. are strictly forbidden.
Examination results will be published on ESSE3 and students can look at their papers by making an appointment with the professor.
Other information
If the COVID-19 sanitary emergency will continue in 2021, the activities
will take place in streaming through the use of the Teams and Elly
platforms.
