Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2020-2021 (archived)

Module ECON3371: FINANCIAL ECONOMETRICS

Department: Economics and Finance

ECON3371: FINANCIAL ECONOMETRICS

Type Tied Level 3 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2020/21 Module Cap None. Location Durham
Tied to NN43
Tied to N302
Tied to N304
Tied to N403
Tied to N405

Prerequisites

  • Introduction to Financial Econometrics.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • This module aims to provide students with a rigorous grounding in financial econometrics.
  • Encourage students to critically appraise work in this area and to facilitate students' analytical skills.

Content

  • Content of this module will investigate contemporaneous financial econometric tools.
  • The following is an indication of the material of the material covered:
  • Review of the Linear Regression Models
  • Binary regression models
  • Panel data analysis
  • Univariate Stationarity Time Series Processes: Autoregressive model, moving average model, ARMA model, exponential smoothing
  • Non-Stationarity and Unit Root Tests: Stationary / nonstationary time series, spurious regression, unit root process, unit root tests
  • The Engle and Granger Cointegration Procedure: Concept of cointegration, error-correction model, testing for cointegration (Engle-Granger approach)
  • Introduction to Johansen Cointegration test: Testing for cointegration (Johansen approach)
  • Modelling volatility: Autoregressive conditional heteroscedastic (ARCH) model, motivation of ARCH model, testing for ARCH, estimating the ARCH model
  • Further topics on ARCH : Generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedastic (GARCH) model, ARCH-in-mean model, asymmetric GARCH models, EGARCH models
  • Forecasting in financial econometrics: An introduction to forecasting, forecasts with univariate time series model and GARCH model, methods for forecast evaluation

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Have become familiar with econometric tools employed in Finance
  • Be able to apply and interpret econometric techniques
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Be able to implement and interpret statistical tests to discriminate between stationary and non-stationary time series and to be able to model the series appropriately
  • Be able to implement and interpret statistical tests to determine the presence of contegration between pairs of non-stationary time series and be able to model the series appropriately
  • Be able to appropriately model time series which display significant time variation in conditional variance.
Key Skills:
  • Written communication, via summative assessment.
  • Planning and Organising - e.g. by observing the assignment deadlines
  • Problem solving, via understanding the technical problems assessed by summative work, as well as the analytical and quantitative skills of econometrics.
  • Initiative, in searching the relevant literature, for the summative assignment
  • Numeracy, required for understanding and applying the mathematical and statistical tools that underpin econometric analysis.
  • IT skills, via usage of econometric software for the statistical analysis of data, and word-processing, required for the presentation of the summative assignment.

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

  • Teaching is by lectures, seminars and computer labs. Learning takes place through attendance at lectures, preparation for and participation in practical classes, and private study.
  • Formative assessment is by means of an essay.
  • Summative assessment is by means of a written assignment. In the assignment students are required to collect historical data of three financial assets of their choice and to study their portfolio using the econometric models and tests covered throughout the module. All parts of the module are assessed within the assignment, and thus it provides an excellent way to learn how to implement and analyse the test results in real world scenarios.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 20 1 Per Week 1 Hour 20
Revision Lecture 2 1 per week 1 hour 2
Practicals 11 6 in Term 1, 5 in Term 2 1 Hour 11
Preparation and Reading 167
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Assignment Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
One written assignment 4500 words max 100%

Formative Assessment:

1500 word essay.


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