Financial Markets and Institutions (Honors)

Catalog description

Introduction to bonds, equities, derivatives, and financial institutions including insurance, pension funds and mutual funds. FIN 408H - Financial Markets and Institutions (Honors) (3) Finance 408H is about financial institutions and markets. The markets section will include approximately 9 classes on debt markets, and another nine classes on equity markets (e.g. NYSE, NASDAQ) and derivatives (options and futures). The primary institutions covered in this course include insurance companies, mutual funds, pension funds, securities firms, and investment banks. We hope to include an analysis of personal financial planning issues as well. Reading assignments at various web sites will be made. The course will include weekly spreadsheet assignments that focus on the course concepts presented in class. These assignments ought to provide a rigorous understanding of the concepts recently presented in class and they will develop and improve the students' Excel skills. The overarching objective is for each student to develop an understanding of markets and institutions that will provide lifetime enjoyment.