Students

AFIN2050 – Investments

2024 – Session 1, Online-scheduled-In person assessment, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Fan Yu
fan.yu@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
(40cp at 1000 level or above including (AFIN1002 or ACST1052) and (ACCG1000 ) and (STAT1250 or STAT1170 or STAT1371)) or ACST2052
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit covers concepts in investment management including asset pricing, fixed income, industry analysis and derivatives contracts. Students will acquire the analytical tools and financial theory necessary for making sound investment decisions and understanding the methodologies by which financial securities are valued. Students learn the principles of modern portfolio theories and apply them to empirical asset pricing models.

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: Illustrate the theory and empirical applications of asset pricing models.
  • ULO2: Analyse bond prices and yields.
  • ULO3: Explain macroeconomic and industry analysis, equity valuation and financial statement analysis.
  • ULO4: Formulate derivatives strategies to modify portfolio risk-return attributes.

General Assessment Information

Assessment criteria for all assessment tasks will be provided on the unit iLearn site. It is the responsibility of students to view their marks for each within-session-assessment on iLearn within 20 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 tasks (not including the final exam mark) will not be addressed.

Late Assessment Submission Penalty (written assessments)

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical concern.

For any late submissions of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, students need to submit an application for Special Consideration.

Other assessment criteria for assessment tasks will be provided on the unit iLearn site.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Individual Assignment 25% No Week 9
Mid Session Test 25% No Week 7
Final Examination 50% No University Examination Period

Individual Assignment

Assessment Type 1: Qualitative analysis task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 12 hours
Due: Week 9
Weighting: 25%

 

The assignment will involve the analysis of an investment scenario or problem.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Illustrate the theory and empirical applications of asset pricing models.
  • Analyse bond prices and yields.
  • Explain macroeconomic and industry analysis, equity valuation and financial statement analysis.
  • Formulate derivatives strategies to modify portfolio risk-return attributes.

Mid Session Test

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 12 hours
Due: Week 7
Weighting: 25%

 

A mid session test of 90 minutes will be held to give students practice on a summative task and to provide feedback on their progress midway through the session.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Illustrate the theory and empirical applications of asset pricing models.
  • Analyse bond prices and yields.
  • Formulate derivatives strategies to modify portfolio risk-return attributes.

Final Examination

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: University Examination Period
Weighting: 50%

 

A two hour exam will be held during the University Examination Period.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Illustrate the theory and empirical applications of asset pricing models.
  • Analyse bond prices and yields.
  • Explain macroeconomic and industry analysis, equity valuation and financial statement analysis.
  • Formulate derivatives strategies to modify portfolio risk-return attributes.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

Required Text

Bodie, Z., Kane, A. and Marcus, A.J. (2022), Essentials of Investments, 12th edition, McGraw- Hill

Learning and Teaching Activities

The content for each week will comprise of lecture and a set of tutorial questions. Students will need to register for a tutorial. Tutorials are considered compulsory but no marks are allocated. The tutorial schedule will be made available on iLearn. Tutorial enrolment or change of tutorial can be made through eStudent in the first two weeks of the session. No tutorial changes are allowed after Week 2. Students should attend their allocated tutorial, but exceptions may occur on a one-off basis. That is, where circumstances prevent you from attending your own tutorial in a given week, you may attend an alternative tutorial if room available. Students are expected to complete the ‘Tutorial Questions’ as a self-directed study activity before attending a tutorial.

Additional learning support will be available in tutor consultation times.

See timetable for classes on the University web site at: https://timetables.mq.edu.au/2024/

Unit Schedule

Week Topic
1 Introduction to Financial Markets
2 Investment Vehicles
3 Risk and Return
4 Efficient Diversification
5 Asset Pricing
6 Market Efficiency
7 Mid-term Test (No Lecture)
8 Fixed Income Securities
9 Industry Analysis
10 Equity Securities
11 Futures Contacts
12 Options Contracts
13 Revision

 

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

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 connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Unit information based on version 2024.03 of the Handbook