Investment Products

Investment Products was designed by professors David Musto and Jules van Binsbergen so you can optimize portfolios by integrating asset and investment products. Through this online investment course, you’ll learn about equity asset management, derivatives, commodities, mortgage-backed securities, and other financial products. You’ll also learn the difference between open-ended mutual funds and exchange-traded funds while discovering how investors prepare for interest rate fluctuations.

The course is structured into four detailed modules:

1. Module 1: Equity Asset Management - This module delves into the principles and practices of equity portfolio management. You will learn about various equity investment strategies, stock selection methods, and techniques for constructing and managing an equity portfolio. The module also covers performance evaluation metrics and risk management strategies specific to equity investments.

2. Module 2: Interest Rate Asset Management - Focused on fixed-income securities, this module covers the management of bond portfolios. Topics include understanding and measuring interest rate risk, duration and convexity, and strategies for immunizing portfolios against interest rate movements. You will also explore yield curve strategies and the use of fixed-income derivatives for hedging purposes.

3. Module 3: Other Products - This module introduces you to alternative investment products such as real estate, commodities, private equity, and hedge funds. You will gain insights into the unique characteristics, risk-return profiles, and performance drivers of these asset classes. The module also discusses the role of alternative investments in portfolio diversification and how to incorporate them into a broader investment strategy.

4. Module 4: Using Derivatives for Asset Management - In this advanced module, you will explore the strategic use of derivatives in portfolio management. Topics include options and futures strategies, swaps, and other derivative instruments. You will learn how to use derivatives for hedging, speculating, and enhancing portfolio returns. The module also covers the pricing and valuation of derivatives and the regulatory environment surrounding their use.

By the end of this course, you will have a comprehensive understanding of various investment products and the strategies used by professionals to manage and optimize portfolios. This knowledge will equip you with the tools to make informed investment decisions, manage risks effectively, and achieve your clients' financial objectives in a dynamic market environment.