Bachelor Program in Business and Management

Financial Markets module: The course provides students with an overview of global financial markets and how financial intermediaries operate. It develops knowledge about the technical and economic features of equity, fixed income and credit financial instruments, in the context of different market models. The course also analyzes central banking and the conduct of monetary policy, provides a focus over the interdependence between macroeconomic factors like interest rates, FX rates, asset prices and the dynamic of transmission to real economy through global financial markets. The recent financial and economic crisis has provided evidence that although well-functioning financial markets lead to economic growth, in certain conditions they may originate point of failures with negative effects for corporates and individuals. Understanding the mechanisms of financial markets and the evolution of risk management processes have never been so important, for this reason some lectures will be dedicated to the evolution of the regulatory framework. Ethical issues will be also considered.

Financial Markets module: Students should demonstrate in-depth knowledge and understanding of financial markets and institutions, the regulatory framework in which they operate and how financial institutions are managed. Learning should be ‘critical’ and active class participation is required: students have the opportunity to discuss real case studies, leveraging on financial press articles.

Financial Markets module: The course is developed in 42 hours of lessons of theory complemented by exercises and discussion on real financial markets cases. 

Financial Markets module: The assessment method consists in a written examination. Students will have 1 hour of time.
Questions will consist in open questions based on theory as well more quantitative exercises.

Financial Markets module: The lecturer suggests and provides students with interesting and recent articles, going beyond the simple program of the course. Where possible, professional information providers will be used to observe financial markets in real-time conditions and how asset prices change when additional information flows to market participants.

Financial Markets module: 

• Overview of the Financial System and Fundamentals of Financial Markets
• Interest and Debt Securities Valuation
• Risk and Term Structure of Interest Rate
• Financial Markets Efficiency Theory
• Fundamentals of Financial Institutions
• The origin of Financial Crisis and Transmission to Real Economy
• Central Banking and the Conduct of Monetary Policy: The Federal Reserve System
• Conduct of Monetary Policy: Tools, Goals, Strategy, and Tactics
• The Money Markets, The Bond Market, The Stock Market and the Foreign Exchange Market
• The International Financial System and the Financial Institutions Industry
• Sell-side: Banking Industry and the Management of Financial Institutions
• Banking Industry: Structure and Competition
• Buy-Side: Mutual Fund Industry, Insurance Companies and Pension Funds
• Investment Banks, Security Brokers and Dealers, and Venture Capital Firms
• Financial Regulation and the Evolution of the Regulatory Framework

Financial Markets module: 

Frederick Mishkin, Stanley Eakins, Financial Markets and Institutions, Pearson, 2018, 9th edition
Read chapters 1-13 plus chapters 15-22

Additional documentation will be provided by the Professor during the course.