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FINANCE #201: INVESTMENTS, SECURITIES ANALYSIS
This syllabus will provide the basic reference for your studies of Investing, this term. You will find a brief statement of our purpose and responsibilities, an overview of the course, and a complete schedule, including lecture and discussion topics, reading assignments, exercise outline, and examination questions. You will determine your success in this course. This is a real college course. You should expect to attend all classes, and to study and additional 3-5 hours each week. If you are unwilling
to do so, find another course. Early and consistent application will assure success.
The purpose of this course is to prepare students to select and manage their own investments. You will develop understanding of the participants and institutions active in financial markets, the jargon and conventions of the industry, and the sources of investment information. Then, we will develop the standard analytic techniques for evaluating any investment, and we will apply those techniques to stocks and bonds.
This course has been planned to facilitate your learning. There will be two hour tests and a securities analysis exercise, to assure some regular evaluation of your progress and to help you to consolidate your understanding of the material. There will a comprehensive examination at the end of the term. You will be expected to complete all assignments as scheduled. No dishonesty will be tolerated. You are encouraged to study together, but all tests and exercises must be the exclusive work of the student submitting
the paper. To facilitate thorough preparation, all test questions are appended to this syllabus. This procedure reduces anxiety and encourages co-operative learning. However, students should also recognize that the opportunity for preparation lowers my tolerance for superficial or sloppy work.
I assume that you are mature adults, who recognize your personal responsibility for your success and your duty to the people of California who are subsidizing your education. Accordingly, you will attend class, study a minimum of three hours per week, submit your exercises and take your tests as scheduled. The only reasonable exceptions are: job requirements, family responsibilities, and personal illness. Otherwise, there will be no special accomodations.
Your Course grade will be based on your total points earned:
85-100 = A; 70-84 = B; 50-69 = C; 40-49 = D; < 40 = F
1) You will receive 0-10 points for each test question:
A+ = 10, A = 9, B+ = 8, B = 7, C+ = 6, C = 5, C- = 4, D+ = 3, D = 2, D- = 1, F = 0
Your eight test answers will be averaged and will contribute 60% of your grade.
2) Your exercise be graded similarly and will contribute 30% of your grade.
3) Attendance will be 10% of your grade.
4) You may be dropped after nine hours of absence from class,{ three night classes or six day classes}. You may make up class by attending either section of Finance #201.
Our Text will be: Hirt & Block, Fundamentals of Investment Management,
7th edition. You should read Barron's each week. You may share a subscription with your roomates or your study group. I recommend:
Burton Malkiel A Random Walk Down Wall Street, 6th ed., Norton, 1995
SCHEDULE
| DATE |
TOPIC |
ASSIGNMENT |
| Week One |
Assessing Your Financial Position |
Enroll, acquire materials |
| Week Two |
Forms of Investment |
Hirt & Block cha. 1 |
| Week Three |
Securities Markets |
Hirt & Block cha. 2 |
| Week Four |
Participating in Securities Markets |
Hirt & Block cha. 3 |
| Week Five |
Sources of Investment Information |
Hirt & Block cha. 4 |
|
Library Visit-references, periodicals, and internet resources.
|
| Week Six |
Economic Analysis |
Hirt & Block cha. 5
|
| Week Seven |
First Hour Test
|
Hirt & Block cha. 5, prepare questions
#1 - 5 |
| Week Eight |
Industry Analysis |
Hirt & Block cha. 6 |
| Week Nine |
Valuation of the Firm |
Hirt & Block cha. 7
|
| Week Ten |
Financial Statements |
Hirt & Block cha. 8
|
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Submit Sections #1-4 of your Investment Report
|
| Week Eleven |
Financial Statement Analysis |
Hirt & Block cha. 8 con't |
| Week Twelve |
Financial Statements, Company, & Valuation |
Hirt & Block cha. 9
|
| Week Thirteen |
Second Hour Test Technical Analysis |
prepare questions # 6-9
|
| Nov.12 |
Mutual fund Alternatives |
Hirt & Block chap.19 |
| Week Fourteen |
Principles of Bond Valuation |
Hirt & Block
cha. 11 & 12
|
| Week Fifteen |
Risk, Duration & Reinvestment |
Hirt & Block cha. 13 |
| Week Sixteen |
Call & Put Options
|
Hirt & Block cha. 15 |
| Week Seventeen |
Basics of Real Estate Investing |
Hirt & Block cha. 20 |
My favorite Internet Investing Sources
The Economics Statistics Briefing Room www.whitehouse.gov
Bureau of Economic Analysis www.bea.doc.gov
Quicken www.quicken.com
Morningstar www.morningstar.net
Yahoo Finance finance.yahoo.com
SEC Edgar Data www.sec.gov/edgarhp.htm
Bloomberg Financial Services www.bloomberg.com
“The Economist” magazine www.economist.com
Investor Word Glossary www.investorwords.com
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