Introduction to Investments

Broad introduction to investments. No previous financial, economic, or math background needed. Students learn organizing framework with which to understand investing landscape with highlight on key concepts and functionality related to business and personal investments. Topics include why financial markets exist and how they work, efficient market hypothesis, risk versus reward, investment styles, valuation techniques, simple quantitative analysis, power of compound interest, financial crises, and role private equity, venture capital, innovation and start-ups, personal financial advisers, exchange rates, central banks, financial statements, value creation, interpreting financial ratios, understanding present value, diversification, capital asset pricing model, Sharpe ratio, and understanding asset’s beta, hedge funds. Serves as excellent introduction to career paths in finance and for those who want to increase their financial literacy.

P/NP or letter grading.