2024/2025
Theory of Finance
Type:
Mago-Lego
Delivered by:
HSE Banking Institute
When:
1, 2 module
Online hours:
20
Open to:
students of one campus
Language:
English
ECTS credits:
6
Contact hours:
12
Course Syllabus
Abstract
This course is designed to introduce to students the fundamental issues of the Theory of Finance. It is an in-depth study of what the fundamental properties of key financial instruments are and what techniques based on these properties for appropriate pricing and / or detecting mispricing have been suggested. In addition to a thorough insight into fundamental theoretical concepts the course covers some areas of related applied / quantitative research.
Two key types of financial instruments are studied throughout the course, bonds and equities. The course’s focus is on fundamental and advanced concepts as well as applications in asset pricing in bond and equity markets. It investigates into what are approaches to asset pricing when pay-offs are certain (fixed claims) and when pay-offs are uncertain (state contingent claims).
The course provides essential knowledge and competence at a postgraduate level to those students who intend to follow careers in applied or quantitative finance, as well as to those students who intend to pursue further research. It would be beneficial for perspective CFA level 2&3 test takers as well.
Learning Objectives
- -Develop financial analysis skills to make adequate judgment on asset pricing; identify asset mispricing; -Work with quantitative data to apply and test financial models; quantitatively demonstrate the impact of models’ assumptions and settings; -Blend disciplinary and interdisciplinary knowledge that strengthens students’ background for both professional practice and scholarly research
Expected Learning Outcomes
- - to obtain practical experience in applying and testing the validity of asset pricing models using real quantitative data; - to know how to use various information and data sources to analyze and process data for economic and financial estimations;
- - apply basic financial models, understand their features and limitations; - to make efficient investment decisions in uncertainty; - to be able to identify economic problems when analyzing specific types of financial instruments, evaluate the expected results;
- Build financial models, understand their underlying logic and application nuances
- Assess challenges and advantages of the economic environment, propose an effective investment solution, and forecast the expected results;
- Demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills applicable to real-life finance practices.
Course Contents
- Financial instruments, financial markets, and financial systems
- Bond and Equity Pricing
- Risk and Return; Portfolio Theory
- Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) and Arbitrage Pricing Theory (APT)
- Empirical Multifactor Models; Forward and Futures Pricing
- Option Pricing; Information and Market Efficiency
Assessment Elements
- Test 1Each student shall choose between two alternative timeframes of each test corresponding to two alternative time zones. Test 1 covers topics of the first half of the course and will take place on a single date in the middle of the course.
- Test 2Each student shall choose between two alternative timeframes of each test corresponding to two alternative time zones. Test 2 covers topics of the second half of the course and will take place on a single date at the end of the course
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- Alexander, G. J., Sharpe, W. F., & Bailey, J. V. (2012). Fundamentals of investments. Slovenia, Europe: Prentice Hall. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.C1BEBDC4
- Richard Brealey, Stewart Myers, & Franklin Allen. (2020). ISE EBook Online Access for Principles of Corporate Finance: Vol. Thirteenth edition. McGraw-Hill Education.