Master 2023/2024

Theory of Finance

Type: Compulsory course (Strategic Corporate Finance)

Area of studies: Finance and Credit

Delivered by: School of Finance

Where: Faculty of Economic Sciences

When: 1 year, 3 module

Mode of studies: distance learning

Online hours: 8

Open to: students of all HSE University campuses

Instructors: Ilya Dergunov, Nikita Pirogov

Master’s programme: Strategic Corporate Finance

Language: English

ECTS credits: 3

Contact hours: 40

Course Syllabus

Abstract

The aim of the course is to guide through the basic building blocks of classical finance and to discuss fundamentals of the capital markets theory in discrete time. The first lectures will be devoted to the bond markets. Then we will cover equity markets and pricing of the contingent claims. Afterwards we are going to consider mean-variance portfolio optimization, CAPM and APT models with empirical testing of those models.The course assumes a sound command of calculus, linear algebra (matrix manupulation and etc.) and optimization (method of Lagrange multipliers). These topics will be used and it is highly recommended that students refresh their knowledge about them.Multiple textbooks can be used to study for this course. References will be provided for each topic.

Learning Objectives

• To introduce students with fundamentals of financial markets and theories of asset pricing
• To familiarize students with various techniques for setting fair pricing and detecting arbitrage mispricing in bond and equity markets

Expected Learning Outcomes

• Be able to apply basic financial models, understand their features and limitations
• Be able to clearly articulate on most important finance issues in valuation of bonds and equities
• Be able to justify conclusions using appropriate methodological and financial arguments with appropriate rigour
• Be able to analyze and evaluate quantitative problems in finance
• Gain an ability to understand, speak and write the language of financial economics and also become familiar with the most important theoretical models for asset pricing

Course Contents

• Bonds
• Utility Theory
• Valuation of Contingent Claims
• Portfolio Theory
• Beta-pricing models
• Testing Factor Models

Assessment Elements

• Home Assignment 1
  Bonds
• Home Assignment 2
  Utility Theory
• Home Assignment 3
  Contingent Claims
• Home Assignment 4
  Contigent Claims 2 & Binomial Model
• Home Assignment 5
  Mean-Variance Portfolio Optimization
• Home Assignment 6
  Portfolio Optimization 2 & CAPM
• Home Assignment 7
  CAPM & APT
• Home Assignment 8
  Empirical testing
• Mid-Term Test
  Mid-Term Test: Bonds, Contigent Claims, Binomial Model
• Final test
  Final test: Mean-variance analysis, CAPM & APT
• Practice test 1
  Practice for the mid-term: test can be done multiple times and serves the purpose of practicing to solve different problems
• Practice test 2
  Practice for Final Test: test can be done multiple times and serves the purpose of practicing to solve different problems

Interim Assessment

• 2023/2024 3rd module
  0.25 * Final test + 0.05 * Home Assignment 1 + 0.05 * Home Assignment 2 + 0.05 * Home Assignment 3 + 0.05 * Home Assignment 4 + 0.05 * Home Assignment 5 + 0.05 * Home Assignment 6 + 0.05 * Home Assignment 7 + 0.05 * Home Assignment 8 + 0.25 * Mid-Term Test + 0.05 * Practice test 1 + 0.05 * Practice test 2

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

• Asset pricing, Cochrane, J. H., 2005
• Back, K. E. (2017). Asset Pricing and Portfolio Choice Theory. Oxford University Press.
• Cochrane, J. H. (2005). Asset Pricing (Vol. Rev. ed). Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=329716

Recommended Additional Bibliography

• Elton, E. J. (2014). Modern Portfolio Theory and Investment Analysis (Vol. Ninth edition). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1639379

Authors

• DERGUNOV ILYA EVGENEVICH