FIN 440 Portfolio Development and Management

Back to Courses

Tentative Class Outline

Wednesday, 16 August:

Course Introduction. Discussion: Why Not (Just) Index? Our Investment Policy Statement.

Monday, 21 August:

Brief Review of Modern Portfolio Theory and the Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH).

Contrast EMH with Graham’s “Mr. Market.” Sectors may be assigned today.     

Wednesday, 23 August:

Begin Valuation Approaches: Distinguish Top- Down vs. Bottom-Up.

Note: Wednesday, August 23 is the last day to add or to drop without a grade.

Monday, 28 August:

Continue Valuation Approaches: Fundamental Analysis.   

Wednesday, 30 August:

Continue Valuation Approaches: Fundamental Analysis.

Monday, 4 September: Labor Day Holiday          

Wednesday, 6 September:

Dr. Dennison: Financial Model Analysis.

Monday, 11 September:

Complete Valuation Approaches.

Begin Quality of Earnings Discussion if time permits.

Wednesday, 13 September:

Quality of Earnings Discussion. Likely due date for Valuation Project.

Monday, 18 September:

Begin Discussion of Technical Analysis.          

Wednesday, 20 September:

Complete Discussion of Technical Analysis.

Monday, 25 September:

Sector Rotation Theory.       

Wednesday, 27 September:

Discuss the Philosophy of a Sell/Buy Discipline. Mid-term Exam Distributed.

Monday, 2 October:

Fixed-Income Investing.      

Wednesday, 4 October: Mid-term Exam due at 5:00 p.m.

Fixed-Income Investing.

Monday, 9 October:

Discussion of Sector Presentations. Performance and Attribution Analysis.

Note: Monday, October 9 is the last day to drop with a ‘W.’        

Wednesday, 11 October:

Dr. Dennison: Passive Investing and Future Market Analysis.

Note: Friday, October 13 is the deadline to apply for Fall graduation.

Monday, 16 October:

Presentation to Class of Sectors 1 and 2 Analyses.

Wednesday, 18 October:

Presentation to Class of Sectors 3 and 4 Analyses.

Monday, 23 October:

Presentation to Class of Sectors 5 and 6 Analyses.

Wednesday, 25 October:

Dr. Dennison: Market Dips and Corrections.

Monday, 30 October:

Presentation to Class of Sectors 7 and 8 Analyses.

Wednesday, 1 November:

Dr. Dennison: Planning for the Final Presentation.

Monday, 6 November:

Presentation to Class of Sectors 9 and 10 Analyses.        

Wednesday, 8 November:

Presentation to Class of Sector 11 and the Fixed Income Asset Class.

Determine Active Weights for each Sector and Security.

Note: If any sectors or securities need to be re- assessed, it will likely be scheduled for today.

Monday, 13 November:

Discussion of Ethical Practices in Financial Markets. Note that missing class may result in additional written assignment.       

Wednesday, 15 November:

Planning the Final Report and Presentation. Written report revisions due to Instructor by Friday.

Monday, 20 November:

Finalizing Report and Presentation Plans.

Wednesday, 22 November: No Classes – Happy Thanksgiving!

Monday, 27 November:

First Half of the “Dress Rehearsal.” Instructor reviews PowerPoint slide deck. Written Report should be sent to Advisory Board by today.

Wednesday, 29 November: Second Half of the “Dress Rehearsal.” If any re-takes are necessary, they are likely to occur on Reading Day. Finalize Presentation Plans.

Monday, 4 December: Final Exam 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. Presentation to Advisory Board.

 



 

Back to Courses