2022/23 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue
LUBS5052M International Investment
15 creditsClass Size: 200
Module manager: Ahmet Karpuz
Email: A.Karpuz@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2022/23
Pre-requisites
LUBS5004M | Corporate Finance |
This module is not approved as an Elective
Module summary
International Investment builds upon the general financial knowledge obtained in LUBS5004M Corporate Finance. It is a specialist finance course with broad topic coverage. In this course you will learn how to extend the theoretical financial models presented in Corporate Finance in order to make them suitable for real-world application. Practical application gives rise to numerous questions and problems. Should the practitioner take theoretical financial results for granted? Would the models change if the investor is faced with real exchange rate risk? How would the set of regulations and constraints in different countries impact security valuation? International Investment allows you to explore these questions and develop more advanced financial models containing additional risk premia that investors face in practice. You will be made aware of the different rules and regulations that may affect valuation across countries. Additional asset classes, such as alternative investments and structured products will also be introduced. In the light of the increased importance of monitoring and regulation in finance, you will also be introduced to a framework for measuring and evaluating the performance of investment managers.Objectives
This module aims to extend students’ knowledge of the capital markets theory covered in LUBS5004M Corporate Finance to the international context. Specifically, it provides a review of relevant theories underpinning exchange rate determination and forecasting, knowledge of theoretical and analytical tools for the construction of optimal portfolios internationally across a multitude of asset classes and the structure of the global portfolio management process within an institutional framework, the analytical skills necessary for the valuation of international shares, bonds and alternative investments and the knowledge of critical contemporary issues in international finance, asset pricing and portfolio choice to enable them to critically appreciate modern academic research in these fields.Learning outcomes
Upon completion of the module students will be able to critically evaluate:
- the theories, which underpin portfolio construction and the pricing of assets in a multicurrency framework
- how the international monetary environment affects valuation of international equities and bonds
- the extent to which securities are priced efficiently across international markets and the factors, which may prevent the integration of financial markets
- the unique challenges and difficulties involved in building an optimal portfolio in a multicurrency environment
- the suitability of theoretical models for real-world application and use results from contemporary academic research
Skills outcomes
Upon completion of this module students will be able to:
Transferable
- Think independently and see regularities and connections between variables
- Argue logically and persuasively in an open-ended question environment structure and present ideas in a succinct, coherent and logical way
- Deploy computer literacy skills effectively
Subject Specific
- Competently apply quantitative and modelling skills to solve real-world investment problems
Syllabus
Indicative content
Foreign exchange (foreign exchange quotations, markets and international parity relations).
Foreign exchange determination and forecasting (factors affecting exchange rates and methodologies and models applied in exchange rate forecasting).
Portfolio theory in an international context (concepts of risk and return, two-asset portfolio theory, optimal risky portfolios, international correlations).
International asset pricing (ICAPM, factor models based on the APT).
Equity valuation in an international context (differences in accounting standards, the use of the dividend valuation model and P/E ratios to place values on shares, decomposition and analysis of P/E ratios).
The international bond market (mechanics, unique features, pricing, YTM calculation methods, valuation of FRNs and structured products).
Alternative investments (hedge funds, private equity and venture capital, real estate, commodities).
Performance measurement and evaluation (calculation of money-weighted and time-weighted rates of return, absolute and relative risk, tracking error, performance appraisal metrics).
Teaching methods
Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
Lecture | 10 | 2.00 | 20.00 |
Seminar | 9 | 1.00 | 9.00 |
Private study hours | 121.00 | ||
Total Contact hours | 29.00 | ||
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 150.00 |
Private study
This could include a variety of activities, such as reading, watching videos, question practice and exam preparation.Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Students will have the opportunity to take a practice exam and will receive a formative feedback on it. Formative feedback will be also provided on exercises covered in workshops.Methods of assessment
Exams
Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 3 hr | 100.00 |
Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 100.00 |
The resit for this module will be 100% by 3 hours examination.
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 09/05/2023
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- Undergraduate module catalogue
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