Students
AFIN8036 – Managing Investments
2020 – Session 1, Weekday attendance, North Ryde
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, any references to assessment tasks and on-campus delivery may no longer be up-to-date on this page.
Students should consult iLearn for revised unit information.
Find out more about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and potential impacts on staff and students
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Keith Woodward
Contact via ilearn discussion board for subject related questions, email for personal matters
522-4EaR
See ilearn
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MMgmt and (MGNT603 or ACCG6003 or MGNT604 or BUSA6004) and 40cp at 8000 level
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit develops a conceptual framework to apply modern investment theory. Students analyse the investment industry, the risk-return relation, asset allocation between risky and risk-free assets, how optimal portfolios are constructed and why they are constructed the way they are. The unit also provides insights in terms of models that explain the cross-section of stock returns, articulating and considering the market efficiency debate, differences between behavioural finance and rational expectations, bond portfolio management, and portfolio insurance techniques. The unit concludes by examining portfolio performance measurement as the final step in the investment process. |
Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- ULO1: Identify and evaluate conceptual frameworks and theories in managing investments.
- ULO2: Develop financial literacy and apply knowledge to evaluate and assess investment portfolio performance.
- ULO3: Assess and synthesise the differences between behavioural finance and rational expectations in a global investment environment.
Assessment Tasks
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
Assessment details are no longer provided here as a result of changes due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Students should consult iLearn for revised unit information.
Find out more about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and potential impacts on staff and students
General Assessment Information
It is the responsibility of students to view their marks for each within session assessment on iLearn within 20 working days of posting. If there are any discrepancies, students must contact the unit convenor immediately. Failure to do so will mean that queries received after the release of final results regarding assessment marks (not including the final exam mark) will not be addressed.
Assessment criteria for all assessment tasks will be provided on the unit iLearn site.
Delivery and Resources
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
Any references to on-campus delivery below may no longer be relevant due to COVID-19.
Please check here for updated delivery information: https://ask.mq.edu.au/account/pub/display/unit_status
Required Text
Bodie, Z., Kane, A. & Marcus, A. (2017) Investments, 11th edition, McGraw Hill, ISBN: 9781259277177
For information on textbook prices and online ordering, please refer to the Co-Op Bookshop webpage at http://www.coop.com.au
Supplementary References and Additional Learning Materials
There are numerous investment texts and professional investment periodicals. You are encouraged to read widely. Supplemental readings and periodical references, respectively, include:
- Bogle, J. The Little Book of Common Sense Investing, John Riley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, N.J., 2007.
- Brailsford, T., Heaney, R., and Bilson, C. Investments: Concepts and Applications, 2nd ed., South Melbourne: Thomson, 2004.
- Graham, B. with Zweig, J. The Intelligent Investor, Revised Ed., HarperCollins Publishers Inc., New York, 2003.
- Greenwald, B., Kahn, J., Sonkin, P., and van Biema, M. Value Investing: From Graham to Buffett and Beyond, Hoboken, NJ: John Riley & Sons, Inc.; 2001.
- Jones, C., Shamsuddin, A; and Naumann, K.; Investments: Analysis and Management, 2nd ed., Milton, Qld: John Riley & Sons Australia, Ltd, 2007.
- Viney, C. McGrath’s Financial Institutions, Instruments and Markets, 4th ed., Sydney: McGraw-Hill, 2003.
Professional Investor, Personal Investor, The Journal of Investing, Financial Services Review, Money Management, JASSA (The Journal of the Securities Institute of Australia), The Economist, The Australian Financial Review, Business Review Weekly.
Unit Schedule
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
The unit schedule/topics and any references to on-campus delivery below may no longer be relevant due to COVID-19. Please consult iLearn for latest details, and check here for updated delivery information: https://ask.mq.edu.au/account/pub/display/unit_status
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Session |
Monday date |
Topic |
Required textbook reading |
|
1 |
24 Feb |
The Investment Environment |
Chapters 1-5 |
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2 |
2 Mar |
Investment Return and Risk |
Chapters 6-7 |
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3 |
9 Mar |
Individuals and Investing |
Chapters 9-10 |
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4 |
16 Mar |
Managed Funds Basics; Measuring Managed Funds Performance; Critiquing Managed Funds In class test (10%). |
Chapters 4 & 24 |
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5 |
23 Mar |
Investing in Shares |
Chapters 17 & 25 |
| 6 |
30 Mar |
Investing Principles | Chapters 18-19 |
| 7 | 6 Apr |
Bond Investments; Bond Valuation; Investment Strategies |
Chapters 14-16 |
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Recess from Monday 13 April to Friday 24 April. |
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8 |
27 Apr | Market Efficiency and Behavioural Finance |
Chapters 11-12 |
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9 |
4 May |
Other Investments: Preference Shares; Convertibles; Derivatives; Hedge Funds; Other Tangibles. Mid-session class test (10%). |
Chapters 21, 22 & 26 |
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10 |
11 May | Extension: Other Investments: Preference Shares; Convertibles; Derivatives; Hedge Funds; Other Tangibles. | Chapters 21, 22 & 26 |
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11 |
18 May | Extension topic 1: See ilearn. Assignment due (20%). | |
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12 |
25 May | Extension topic 2: See ilearn. | |
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13 |
11 May |
Revision |
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Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
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- Special Consideration Policy (Note: The Special Consideration Policy is effective from 4 December 2017 and replaces the Disruption to Studies Policy.)
Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).
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Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Supplementary exams
Information regarding supplementary exams, including dates, is available at: http://www.businessandeconomics.mq.edu.au/current_students/undergraduate/how_do_i/disruption_to_studies
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Changes from Previous Offering
Changes to assessment weights.