ICM233-Current Topics in Investment Management

Module Provider: ICMA Centre
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2018/9

Email: a.pendleton@icmacentre.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
.

Aims:
Current Topics in Investment Management is an applied debate on the issues and trends affecting the investment management industry and as such the topics may vary and/or be updated on a year- to-year basis. The purpose is to give the student a clear overview on industry structure and the forces of change 􀀖 something that has been identified as a key information need by investment management firms in regard to their future management hires.
Although stand-alone topics, they will be integrated by usage of an industry model for competition such as that advanced by Michael Porter to show the interaction between the various financial players, underlying trends in demographics and government regulation.

Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the module, the successful student will be able to understand the critical role that savings and financial intermediation play in our economy; understand two important drivers of this industry 􀀖 demographics and regulation; understand the structure and activities of the major investment management firms 􀀖 pension funds, long only funds and hedge funds; performance measurement and attribution plus alternative investments from commodities to hedge funds with the associated requirement to conduct adequate due diligence investigations. They will also be introduced to how operational issues affect a fund management business and to the impacts caused by high frequency traders in the marketplace.

Additional outcomes:
The student will be exposed to guest speakers in the form of industry practitioners and have the chance to debate current trends.

Outline content:
Topic 1 (TBC ): Introductory lecture on industry background; major institutional investor classes; regulatory framework; demographic trends. Alan Pendleton
Topic 2 (TBC ): Developments in asset management: An overview of the major issues currently confronting the asset management Industry. Emeritus Professor Brian Scott-Quinn
Topic 3 (TBC ): Global custody. Keith Dickinson.
Mid- term 1 (Feb ):
Topic 4 (TBC ): Cross asset Class Due Diligence: Sascha Klamp
Topic 5 (TBC ): Hedge funds and alternative investment strategies. Andy Bevan.
Topic 6 (TBC ): Investing in commodities. Neil Schofield
Mid- term 2 (May ):

N.B. Topic order may change given the schedule of the various guest speakers.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
The module contains several teaching and learning methods:
1 Lectures: a two-hour lecture introduces the topic.
2 Additional readings and guest lecturers provide current and applied examples of the topics.
3 Discussion board: the Blackboard LMS will be used to maintain a discussion relating to the module.

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:
Mid-term tests MT1 􀀖 MCQ/essay test covering topics 1 to 3 and worth 50% of final grade.
MT2 􀀖 MCQ/essay test covering topics 4 to 6 and worth 50% of final grade.

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:
Penalties for late submission on this module are in accordance with the University policy. Please refer to page 5 of the Postgraduate Guide to Assessment for further information: http://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/exams/student/exa-guidePG.aspx

Assessment requirements for a pass:
50% weighted average mark

Reassessment arrangements:
As per university policy. Candidates who resit will take a test of the same structure but worth 100% of the resit mark and covers all six topic sessions (whole course).

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):
1) Required text books:
2) Specialist equipment or materials:
3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:
4) Printing and binding:
5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:
6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:

Last updated: 20 April 2018