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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "FIN 312"
COURSE NAME: "Investment Analysis"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2025
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Alessandro Antonelli
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: TTH 1:30 PM 2:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS:
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: FIN 301
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course concentrates on the operation and function of securities markets. It emphasizes basic techniques for investing in stocks and bonds. Technical analysis is introduced and portfolio theory discussed.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

* Developments in investment theory.

 * Valuation principles and practices.

* Money market, capital market, derivative security analysis and management.

* Portfolio management, alternative assets, and industry ethics.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of this course, successful students will have gained a significant knowledge and familiarity with the following topics relating to investment analysis:

* Capital markets and products (bonds, stocks, derivatives, …).

* Theories, techniques, and practices used to evaluate companies, assets and performances.

* Portfolio management and dynamic asset allocation.

* Alternative investments..

*  Ethics, sustainable finance and modern practices in investment analysis and portfolio management.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
The Corporate Life CycleAswath DamodaranPenguin2024 Edition     
The little book of valuationAswath DamodaranWileyLast or previous editions     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
   
Exam 1, Exam 2, Class participation + class presentation/researchThe TWO EXAMS (35% + 40%) consist of quizzes/multiple-choice questions and essay-type questions, graphic analysis, as well as some problems that require quantitative analysis, in which the student is asked to explain and/or solve with accuracy and clarity issues of a particular topic covered by the syllabus. The CLASS PARTICIPATION grade (25%) will reflect: 1) Students' attendance and their level of appropriate active involvement in class discussions (grade: up to a maximum of 12.5%; unjustified absences and unauthorized use of computers will negatively affect the class participation grade. 2) The quality of class presentations or research assigned by the professor (grade: up to a maximum of 12.5% for excellent presentations; up to a maximum of 10% for very good research by students who do not choose the option to present in class).35% +40% + 25% (12.5% + 12.5%, see guidelines)

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam period runs until the first decade of December.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
SCHEDULE

1 - Key aspects of public finance: corporate finance, and personal finance

2 - Time value of money

3 - Asset management: asset classes; core principles of investing

4 - Asset management: security market line and risk-return trade-off

5 - Asset management: some useful investment analysis concepts and tools (duration, risk-adjusted measures, volatility index, ...)

6 - Asset management: market timing and time in the market; styles; defensive and cyclical sectors

7 - Asset management: dynamic investment strategy, portfolio rotation, "All Weather" approach

8 - Asset allocation models

9 - Artificial intelligence and asset management

10 - Corporate finance: capital budgeting decisions; capital structure decisions, working capital management

11 - Corporate finance, financial ratios, comparing ROI with WACC

First exam, October 2  (35% weight, from Ch1 to 11)

12 - Corporate finance. estimating the value of a company: fundamental analysis

13 - Corporate finance, estimating the value of a company: relative valuation

14 - Corporate finance: risk tolerance

15 - Markets and products: derivatives

October 28, possible lecture on Financial Modeling, 6.00 pm, Aula Magna Renella (this

event would replace a Friday make-up lecture shown on the JCU Fall Calendar)

16 - Markets and products: asset-backed securities; convertible bonds; high yield bonds; subordinated debt; mezzanine financing

17 - Oil, gold, rare earths, crypto currencies

18 - Private credit and private equity

19 - Institutional investors, hedgers, speculators, arbitrageurs: sovereign wealth funds

20  - Fintech and financial innovation

21 - Most common types of investment fraud schemes

 22 - Some of the most important ethical standards in finance and investing

Second Exam  (40% weight, from 12 to 22), see JCU final exam schedule for date and time.