FINANCE 481: Global Portfolio Wealth Management

Prerequisite: FINC 381 and FINC 439 or FINC 381 and instructor approval

Credit Hours: (3)

This advanced course in Portfolio Management takes a global view on investment opportunities and fundamental coverage of portfolio management, including stock valuation, derivatives, and wealth management techniques.

Detailed Description of Content of Course

Foreign Exchange in International Investing

Foreign Exchange Forecasting

International Asset Pricing

• International and Sector Allocation
• Emerging Markets in Global Portfolios (Integration Issues)
• Downside Risk

Equity Markets and Instruments (Attributes, Cross Listing, ADRs, ETFs)

Equity Analysis Techniques (Fundamentals and International Aspects)

Global Bonds

International Diversification for Wealth Management

• Active Indexing / Use of Mutual Funds
• Home-Equity Bias

(Additional) Behavioral Finance Issues

Derivatives

Risk Management for Global Portfolios

• Measurement
• Value-at-Risk
• Hedging Methodologies

The Global Wealth Management Investment Process

Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

The course will be conducted in a lecture/discussion format.  A capstone case will synthesize the learning goals for the course.  Software applications for risk management and portfolio optimization will be used in the learning process, providing a hands-on application of tools like those used in the global portfolio and wealth management industry.

Goals and Objectives of the Course

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

• Describe the risk and return benefits of global portfolios.
• Discuss applications of exchange rate forecasting techniques
• Explain risks inherent in international investing.
• Discuss risk management techniques for global portfolios.
• Identify the steps in the Global Wealth Management Process

Assessment Measures

Graded assignments may include in-class tests, a final examination, the assignment and presentation of problem exercises, papers and case analyses, and class preparation and participation.

Other Course Information