Investment Opportunities

Course description:
This course is an introduction to investment. During the semester we will explore, learn and discuss the basic concepts of investment planning, risk and return, asset allocation, and diversification. We will also learn about stocks, bonds, mutual funds, options, commodities, etc., how to find information about them, how to evaluate them, and how to go about buying and selling them. The course is intended to provide a foundation for those interested in pursuing a career in the financial services industry as well as for those interested in learning how to make more informed investment decisions.

Course objectives:
Upon successful completion of the course you will be able to:

§ Set investment goals and establish criteria for creating an appropriate investment portfolio

§ Identify the range of investment instruments and be able to define their features

§ Find and interpret information about investment markets and specific investment instruments

§ Identify events and policies that may affect investment markets

§ Invest directly, i.e. choose, buy and sell stocks, bonds, and mutual funds

§ Discern when it is appropriate and advantageous to seek assistant from professionals

§ Communicate effectively with investment professionals and ask relevant questions

A tentative list of general topics

*Introduction and definition of some terms
*The time value of money--the compound interest effect
*Setting investment goals
*Asset allocation and diversification
*Corporate bonds
*Government bonds
*Special tax features of bonds
*Common stocks
*Stock exchanges
*Fundamental analysis of stocks
*Charting and technical analysis
*Understanding mutual funds
*Evaluation criteria for mutual funds
*How to get information about investment markets and instruments
*Direct investment vs. mutual funds
*Portfolio creation and management
*International investment markets
*The economic environment of investing
*Emerging markets
*Direct investment in real estate
*Real estate investment trusts
*Derivatives--options
*Derivatives--commodities
*Structure of financial services