Department of Economics, Unit Catalogue 2011/12 |
|
 Credits:
| 6 |
| Level:
| Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7) |
| Period: |
Semester 1 |
| Assessment:
| CW 30%, EX 70% |
| Supplementary Assessment: | ES50075A - RESIT EXAM (where allowed by programme regulations) |
| Requisites:
| |
| Description:
| Aims: The aim of the course is to provide students with an in depth understanding of the working of the diverse markets for fixed income securities. The module will address issues and develop the analytical framework for pricing, portfolio construction, the sources and management of interest rate risk and the importance of the macro-economy to market developments. The module will also familiarise the students with a critical evaluation of the empirical evidence. Learning Outcomes: On successful completion of the unit students will: * Have knowledge of the financial products traded in the credit markets, such as Government and corporate bonds, bond options, swaps and credit default swaps; * Be able to use the specific tools used to evaluate and hedge these products and understand the importance of the theoretical empirical techniques used, and their empirical evidence, to monitor and manage risk; * Have obtained a critical understanding of the process of securitization and the working of the basic credit derivative markets. Skills: * Critical awareness of current issues and frameworks in the fixed income markets. (F/T) * Evaluate the current standing of theories and empirical evidence. (T/F) * Ability to conduct elementary research in the economics in bond and other fixed income markets using market data and statistical techniques. (T/F) Content: The unit covers the valuation of a wide variety of fixed income securities and derivatives including pure discount bonds, coupon bonds, forwards and options on fixed income securities and interest-rate swaps. Issues of bond portfolio construction will be addressed and among relevant topics will be covered in the course are the relations between macroeconomic variables and interest rates. The unit focuses on the development of analytic tools such as yield curve construction, duration and convexity, and factor models incorporating macroeconomic and financial information. |
| Programme availability: |
ES50075 is Optional on the following programmes:Department of Economics
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