Financial Valuation and Investment ManagementCertificate

This course provides the opportunity to utilize the knowledge and skills acquired in the classroom to real-world settings. Students will have two experiences: 1) a course simulation where students throughout the term will be managing a portfolio of financial assets. 2) a consulting project in which the class will be serving as a consulting firm to companies looking to develop new business opportunities and new markets. This project will include financial forecasting, cost basis building for projects, and market research analysis in order to determine if the project i s financially feasible for the company's goals and objectives given their financial constraints.

This course acquaints students with modern practices of valuing financial securities and managing investment portfolios. Topics include: securities and capital markets, portfolio optimization methods, asset management and allocation strategies for institutional and individual investors, domestic and international portfolio management, risk management and performance measurement techniques, and efficient market equity valuations.

Application of financial theory and models to valuing companies and investment projects. Topics include valuation techniques, forecasting and analysis of financial statements, estimation of incremental cash flows, determination of cost of capital, valuation of projects and companies, and valuation for mergers and acquisitions. Valuation techniques taught in this course include: Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM), Arbitrage Pricing Theory (APT), equity valuation models, discounted cash flow models and financial ration models. Also covered are strategies for WACC determination and global risk determination (Beta).

An analysis and comparison of the various techniques that aid in the decision-making process. Major themes stressed include shareholder wealth maximization, cash flow management, the international aspects of financial management and the standards of ethical behavior adopted by managers.