The Mechanics of Investment Management - Delivered by Distance Learning

As financial markets continue to evolve and recover from the credit crisis, intriguing themes present themselves on a continual basis and none more so than in the global investment industry. This unique programme represents a new paradigm in the world of investment management education. Taught by one of the industry’s most respected consultants, this distance learning course disseminates decades of frontline experience for you. 

Delivered entirely on-line in eight intensive models, the course will prove an invaluable asset for anyone looking to improve their knowledge within institutional investment management, without having to overcome the challenges of distance and time. 

You can also preview the first module free of charge and with no obligation; giving you the chance to experience the quality and benefits of the course before signing up to complete the rest of the programme. 

We are truly excited by the launch of this course and we very much hope you’ll be able to join us on the journey into this exciting industry.

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Module 1: Current Themes in Institutional Investment Management

Module Learning Aims and Objectives

• Examine the work of a global institutional investor and the basics of fiduciary investment management in contemporary global securities markets
• Look at global markets and asset classes commonly used by institutional investors, compare and contrast their relative performance, risk, investment drivers and cyclicality
• Compare historical Bull and Bear markets and market psychology as it impacts institutional investors
• Explain differences in asset allocation models, and how investors make the decision of what asset classes to invest in
• Introduce the use of investment statistics, return series, distribution analysis, correlations and performance ratios
• Discuss the recent evolution of portfolio management theory, behavioural finance, and other theoretical approaches to investment management

Module 2: Stock Markets & Equity Investing

Module Learning Aims and Objectives

• Examine stock market performance in light of historical and current market conditions
• Evaluate how institutional investors choose individual stocks; understand the process of security selection in the stock market, and how this is navigated by institutional investors
• Analyse the drivers of the stock market and single company stock returns, earnings, sector, market capitalisation and style factors which influence security prices
• Model the future earnings of a company and value that company by using typical security analysis tools and techniques
• Evaluate different approaches to equity portfolio management, benchmarking, long short portfolios, active portfolio management and portfolio concentration and diversification

Module 3: Fixed Income Portfolios and the Art of Lending

Module Learning Aims and Objectives

• Set out the different approaches investors use when investing in fixed income and understand their relative merits and differences
• Classify different fixed income securities, understand the return profiles and different risk profiles and correlations that each security may have under different market conditions
• Evaluate how fixed income investors create portfolios and how such portfolios are often hedged or un hedged
• Examine some of the risk management tools actively used in fixed income investment
• Formulate a plan on how to best position a fixed income portfolio of an institutional investor in light of current market conditions

Module 4: Introducing Derivatives

Module Learning Aims and Objectives

• Explore the growth of the derivatives markets, instruments used and trading methodologies
• Provide a framework for the valuing of derivatives instruments and understanding the risk and return drivers involved
• Discuss various hedging techniques/portfolio construction techniques which the growth of the derivatives markets have made available
• Examine in detail some of the derivatives disasters and how institutional investors can properly risk manage their derivatives exposure

Module 5: Modern Asset Allocation Strategies

Module Learning Aims and Objectives

• Examine the different asset liability studies and asset allocation plans used by world class institutional investors
• Provide details on institutional adoption of an “endowment style” asset allocation plan
• Explore the working of an asset allocation optimisation program, the inputs, correlations and expected outcomes of the asset allocation modeling process
• Contrast approaches to asset allocation: Tactical asset allocation, core and satellite approaches, portable alpha strategies, as well as asset allocation overlay programs
• Design an asset allocation project suitable for your own organisation

Module 6: Risk Management of the Institutional Portfolio

Module Learning Aims and Objectives

• Classify various historical approaches to risk management and understand their relative strengths and weaknesses
• Analyse the use of current risk measurement and risk management systems and their uses by institutional investors
• Explore some of the market shocks and evaluate how risk management systems have helped institutional investors cope with market behaviour
• Assess the relative effectiveness of a conventional risk management function in an institutional investor and how this can help control portfolio risk

Module 7: Exploration of Alternative Assets: Progressive Adoption of Hedge Funds, Private Equity and Real Estate by Institutional Investors

Module Learning Aims and Objectives

• Contrast and compare the various types of alternative assets used institutional investors, hedge funds, private equity and real estate, as well as their correlation and return benefits to an institutional investor
• Examine the investment process, portfolio construction and risk and return drivers of various hedge fund strategies
• Explore the investment styles of private equity funds,liquidity, investment horizon, LBOs and MBOs as well as venture capital
• Analyse the risk and return profile of an institutional investor’s property portfolio and formulate a plan on how to manage this portfolio actively
• Assess the risks and benefits of alternative strategies and design a plan on incorporating an alternatives portfolio into a global institutional investor

Module 8: Further Exploration in Institutional Asset Management: Current topics of Liquidity, Asset Allocation, Risk Management, Alternative Investments and Fiduciary Responsibility

Module Learning Aims and Objectives

• Synthesise the risk management function and asset allocation function into a firm wide portfolio management view
• Test the common views of asset allocation and risk management, reliance on benchmarking, the institutional investors’ committee decision making process and best practices in the financial markets
• Assess the effectiveness of the investment strategy of the majority of institutional investors
• Examine the investment success of top performing institutional investors and their investment styles
• Formulate a view on to how the financial markets are creating change in the institutional investment industry and how investors should be positioning themselves going forward

This essential course has been designed to provide you with a detailed step-by-step guide to the mechanics of the global investment management industry. Comprising of eight intensive modules, over sixteen weeks, it offers participants at all levels in the sector an outstanding opportunity to improve both their technical and theoretical investment management knowledge.

Every two weeks the next module will be released and the associated assessment must be completed before the end of the course. The beauty of this form of learning is the investment of time is really up to you. You can simply read each module complete the assessment and move on to the next or take more time to fully digest the topic, re-read the modules and read around the subject by taking full advantage of the recommended complimentary reading list.