Module ECON46415: Security Analysis (ONLINE)

Department: Economics and Finance

ECON46415: Security Analysis (ONLINE)

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• Security Analysis (Taught) - ECON46315

Aims

• to examine the area of, and key issues in, security analysis at an advanced level. 
• In addition the module aims to provide students with the ability to critically review this specialised complex area of knowledge with a view to undertaking a dissertation in field of security analysis and potentially future research work in this area.

Content

• The indicative content is as follows:
• Overview of Financial Markets and Instruments including bond markets and equity markets
• Investment Banking and Investment Companies
• Common Stocks: Technical analysis, Fundamental analysis and relative valuation investment strategies
• Accounting Information and Stock Prices
• Earnings Estimation and Forecasts
• Analysts’ Forecasts and Security Returns
• Forecasting
• Scenario planning and robustness
• Management - Incentives - Capital allocation 
• Security Markets & Trading

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of the module students should have: 
• an advanced knowledge and critical understanding of the principles and practice of some of the models of evaluating common stocks; 
• a critical understanding of current theoretical and empirical research in the complex field of security analysis and selection; 
• explored, understood and appreciated the complexity and contradictions of the current academic literature in this area and its implications for professional practice, and be able to identify open questions for their own research.

• By the end of the module, students should be able to: 
• report and interpret financial information in a logical and clear way; 
• apply empirical content to economic relations; 
• apply appropriate methods of data analysis; 
• exercise critical judgement and discrimination in the resolution of complex problems in security analysis.

• ability to select and apply a range of numerical techniques to present and interpret financial information in a recognised format;
• ability to use IT to assemble, analyse and communicate financial information;
• ability to manage and organise study time and utilise a range of study skills so that knowledge and subject-specific skills can be applied to solve problems in a selective and critical manner;
• ability to reflect on the learning process so that it can be applied in the context of the world of work

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• The module is delivered via online learning, divided up into study weeks with specially produced resources within each week. Resources vary according to the learning outcomes but normally include: video content, directed reading, reflection through activities, opportunities for self-assessment and peer-to-peer learning within a tutor-facilitated discussion board. Tutors provide feedback on formative work and facilitate discussion board communication as well as being available for individual consultation as necessary (usually by email and Skype).
• The summative assessment of the module is an assignment designed to test students' knowledge of key critical analysis of the principles, and problem-solving skills with regard to security analysis and will test their ability to apply these methods and interpret the results based in a security analysis context.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

A written assignment of 1,500 words, or its multimedia equivalent, which may involve some group work.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University