Not available in 2021/22
FM404      Half Unit
Forecasting Financial time Series

This information is for the 2021/22 session.

Teacher responsible

Dr Christian Julliard

Availability

This course is available on the MSc in Accounting and Finance, MSc in Finance and Economics, MSc in Finance and Economics (Work Placement Pathway), MSc in Finance and Private Equity, MSc in Finance and Private Equity (Work Placement Pathway), MSc in Financial Mathematics, MSc in Quantitative Methods for Risk Management, MSc in Statistics (Financial Statistics), MSc in Statistics (Financial Statistics) (LSE and Fudan) and MSc in Statistics (Financial Statistics) (Research). This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.

Pre-requisites

Students must have completed Quantitative Methods for Finance and Risk Analysis (FM442).

The first half of FM437 Financial Econometrics, or alternatively FM442 Quantitative Methods for Finance and Risk Analysis, is a required prerequisite. Students who can demonstrate comparable background may be granted an exemption from this requirement.

Course content

This course will examine the techniques involved with forecasting key variables in finance, and how to incorporate model uncertainty into financial forecasts. Students will learn both the theory and the practice of forecasting in finance.

 

  • The following topics will be covered: introduction to time series analysis; Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLE), and MLE based model selection; Bayesian inference, posterior probabilities, and Bayesian Model Averaging; Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods; Present value regressions; Multivariate models and Bayesian Vector Autoregressions; Cointegration; Asset pricing and the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM); Dynamic factor models and their connection with principal components; Introduction to Machine Learning and Finance.

Additional information can be found on Moodle (for current students)

Teaching

20 hours of lectures, 10 hours of classes and 10 hours of computer workshops in the LT.

Formative coursework

Regular problem sets.

Indicative reading

Lecture notes will be provided, and some journal articles may also be used.

Assessment

Exam (90%, duration: 3 hours, reading time: 15 minutes) in the summer exam period.
Coursework (10%).

Summative coursework during term time teaching in LT

Course selection videos

Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.

Important information in response to COVID-19

Please note that during 2021/22 academic year some variation to teaching and learning activities may be required to respond to changes in public health advice and/or to account for the differing needs of students in attendance on campus and those who might be studying online. For example, this may involve changes to the mode of teaching delivery and/or the format or weighting of assessments. Changes will only be made if required and students will be notified about any changes to teaching or assessment plans at the earliest opportunity.

Key facts

Department: Finance

Total students 2020/21: Unavailable

Average class size 2020/21: Unavailable

Controlled access 2020/21: No

Value: Half Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Personal development skills

  • Application of information skills
  • Application of numeracy skills
  • Specialist skills