FM406 Half Unit
Topics in Portfolio Management
This information is for the 2023/24 session.
Teacher responsible
Dr Michela Verardo
Availability
This course is available on the MSc in Finance (full-time), MSc in Finance (full-time) (Work Placement Pathway), MSc in Finance and Economics, MSc in Finance and Economics (Work Placement Pathway), MSc in Finance and Private Equity and MSc in Finance and Private Equity (Work Placement Pathway). This course is not available as an outside option.
This course is not capped, any eligible student that requests a place will be given one.
Pre-requisites
Students must have completed either Asset Markets (FM423) and Corporate Finance (FM422) or Financial Economics (FM436)
Course content
- Portfolio optimization and the Black-Litterman model
- Dynamic Investment Strategies
- Selecting and Monitoring Portfolio Managers: Mutual funds and hedge funds
- Transactions Costs and Liquidity Risk
The course covers a wide range of topics in portfolio management, with a strong focus on empirical applications. The first part of the course reviews the basics of portfolio theory and develops the Black-Litterman approach to portfolio optimization. The second part of the course introduces students to the implementation of several dynamic investment strategies and to the estimation of their performance; portfolio strategies include size, value, momentum, betting-against-beta, and quality-minus-junk. The third part of the course focuses on selecting and monitoring portfolio managers, with particular emphasis on the identification of selectivity, allocation, and timing skills for mutual funds and hedge funds. The last part of the course examines trading costs and liquidity risk, as well as their impact on the profitability of investment strategies. The course is based on recent empirical studies and applied exercises using financial data.
Teaching
30 hours of lectures in the WT.
This course is taught in the interactive lecturing format. There is no distinction between lectures and classes/seminars; there are “sessions” only, and the pedagogical approach in each session is interactive.
Formative coursework
Regular coursework will be completed, handed in and marked as part of formative assessment for this course.
Indicative reading
A study pack will include lecture notes and case studies. All relevant articles will be made available during the course. Useful references are: Investments, by Z. Bodie, A. Kane, and A. Marcus, McGraw-Hill Irwin; Modern portfolio theory and investment analysis, by E. J. Elton, M. J.Gruber, S. J. Brown, and W. N. Goetzmann, Wiley Press; Modern investment management, by Bob Litterman and the Quantitative Resource Group, GSAM, Wiley Press.
Assessment
Continuous assessment (100%) in the WT.
Key facts
Department: Finance
Total students 2022/23: 110
Average class size 2022/23: 56
Controlled access 2022/23: Yes
Value: Half Unit
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.
Personal development skills
- Application of information skills
- Application of numeracy skills
- Commercial awareness