Course Number:  Finance 471, Section 001

Course Title:  Topics in Finance  TVA Portfolio Management

Term, Level, and Credit:  Spring 2002, Upper Division, 3 Semester Hours

Instructor:  Dr. Arnold L. Redman

Office Location:  Business Administration Building, Room 206

Office Telephone and e-mail:  587-7248, aredman@utm.edu

Office Hours:  8:30 – 9:30 T, Th; 11:00 – 12:00 T, Th; 4:00–5:00 T, Th;
  9:00 – 12:00 W
  other times by appointment

Course Description:  Advanced course in the application of investment analysis to the management of the TVA investment portfolio.

Course Prerequisites:  Completion of Finance 311 and instructor’s approval

Course Text and Required Materials: Mastering Technical Analysis by Michael C. Thomsett

Course Objective:  To provide students with practical application of investment analysis principles to the management of an investment portfolio.  Students will research and select common stocks, as well as make the decisions to manage a portfolio.  Students will be responsible for finding common stocks to purchase, setting the investment strategy, deciding on trading tactics and other aspects of portfolio management.  This course will also provide exposure to advanced topics that will be useful in portfolio management. The course objective will be achieved through:

1. Oral presentations of security analyses and portfolio performance
2. Written reports
3. Active class participation.
 

Course Requirements:  This course is an active discussion and participation course rather than a traditional lecture class; that is, student participation is expected and required.  The largest part of the course grade will be determined by class attendance as well as written and oral participation.  Letter grades will be assigned based on the weighted average of the scores for the following:

 Class Participation                        30%
 Written Reports                            25%
 Oral Reports (team)                      20%
 Wall Street Journal Reports           25%
                                                   100%

Letter grades will be assigned on the grading scale:  A= 100-90;  B= 89-80;  C= 79-70;  D- 69-60;  F= <60.  As a part of the course requirements, students will be making team oral presentations to the faculty advisory group.  It is expected that there will be at least 1 team oral presentation, consisting of a stock recommendation report and portfolio performance report.  The team portfolio presentation is scheduled for Tuesday, March 5, as a part of Business Week Activities.  Students will also be required to maintain records of the portfolio, transactions, gains and losses for TVA reporting.  Reading assignments will be made from the text.  Each team is to turn in a brief statement for each stock added to the portfolio, of why the stock was purchased (due at the final exam date).

There will be about 6 summaries of Wall Street Journal articles during the semester.  Due dates and assignments will be given during the semester.

There will be a conference in Nashville in April given by the TVA.  Attendance is required.  Transportation will be provided.  Most costs are underwritten by the TVA.

Withdrawal Dates:   March 8 – Last day to drop with a W
   No withdrawals will be permitted after March 8 except
   for circumstances as specified in the University
   Catalog, page 36

Students with Disabilities: Any student eligible for and requesting academic accommodations due to a disability is requested to provide a letter of accommodation from P.A.C.E. or Student Academic Support Center within the first two weeks of the semester.

Class Attendance and Academic Honesty:  It is the responsibility and expectation that each student will attend class.  Each student bears the responsibility for all material covered in class and each assignment whether the student is in class or not.  Each student is responsible for knowing and understanding the material, and the consequences for not attending class.  Each student is responsible for knowing and understanding the material, and the consequences for not attending class.  Any student found cheating will be assigned a failing grade for the course and will be reported to the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and to the Dean of the College of Business and Public Affairs for further disciplinary action.

Final:  Friday, May 3, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon