Dr. Mahmoud M. Haddad

The study of finance dose not seem to require any specialized gifts of an unusually high order. Is it not, intellectually regarded, a very easy subject compared with the higher branches of philosophy or pure science? An easy subject, at which very few excel! --John Maynard Keynes

Wall Street Journal

Course Objectives:
To provide a basic understanding of the procedures, tools, techniques and instruments comprising the field of investments. The emphasis of the course is on the selection of securities and the development of security portfolios for individuals. A second objective is to provide a foundation for advanced study in investment analysis.

Course Requirements:
There will be three exams consisting of multiple choice problems and short answer essay questions. The dates for the exams are set; the exact chapters to be covered on each exam may vary from those listed on the course outline. Material for the exams will come from the text and class material. The exam problems will be similar to the problems covered in class. The final exam will cover the last third of the class material and the text chapters as well as selected topics from the first and second exams.
Students are required to complete and turn in one project during the term. This project is designed to give students some experience in applying material covered in class. Exact assignments and due dates will be announced during the semester. The project must be typed and double spaced. Handwritten projects will not be accepted. Every two weeks students will turn in a one page summary of the current financial market conditions (from the Wall Street Journal.)

Late projects will be reduced in grade. Details will be given during the semester.

Letter grades will be assigned based on the weighted average of the scores for exams and projects using the following weights:

EXAM 1                     30%
Final                            30%
PROJECTS                30%
Class participation     10%
                                 100%

If an exam must be missed, the student must give notice prior to the exam. The weight of the missed exam will be added to the weight of the final exam. Any exam missed without notice before the exam date will receive a score of zero and the student will receive a failing grade for the course. There will be no extra credit projects. There will be no incomplete given (except under the most severe circumstances.)

Instructor: Dr. Mahmoud M. Haddad
Office Location: 24 Business Administration.
Office Telephone: (901) 587-7249
Office Fax: (901) 587-7241
Office Hours: 9:00-10:00 am, and 3:00-5:30pm, MWF.
Email: mhaddad@utm.edu
URL: http://www.utm.edu/~mhaddad/

Chapter                                 Topic                                                                                 Problems
    1                                 Understanding Investments
    2                                 Investment Alternatives
    3                                 Investment Companies
    4                                 Securities Markets
    5                                 How Securities are Traded                                                         3, 4
    6                                 Return and Risk From Investing                                                  3, 4, 5, 7
    7                                 Expected Return and Risk                                                           2, 3, 8-10
    8                                 Portfolio Selection                                                                       1, 3, 4, 5
    9                                 Capital Market Theory                                                                 2, 3, 6
    10                               Market Efficiency q 28

    11                             Bond Yields and Prices                                                                   1, 2, 3
    12                             Bonds: Analysis and Strategies                                                         4, 6, 8, 16, 17
    13                             Common Stocks Valuation                                                               1, 2, 3, 4, 5
    14                             Common Stock: Analysis and Strategy                                              1, 3, 5, 7, 9
    15                             Economy/Market Analysis
    16                             Industry Analysis
    17                             Company Analysis
    18                             Technical Analysis
    OPTIONAL TOPICS
    19                             Options                                                                                         1, 2, 3, 5
    20                             Futures                                                                                          1, 2, 3, 4
    21                             Portfolio Management                                                                   q1-10
    22                             Evaluation of Investment Performance                                             2, 4