Investment Analysis Dissertation
| Module title | Investment Analysis Dissertation |
|---|---|
| Module code | BEAM007 |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Mr Jamie Stevenson (Convenor) |
Module description
This module centres on an investment analysis of a real, topically interesting, company. You will produce a detailed analyst’s company report, using a range of company stock valuation methods to determine the market value of the company, employ financial analysis tools and analyse the macroeconomic and competitive markets in which the company operates.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The module aims to enable you to conduct an in-depth investment analysis case study on a single company drawn from a list of topically interesting companies selected by the module leader. The case study exercise aims to provide you with the opportunity to demonstrate, in the development of a detailed analyst’s company report, the skills and knowledge acquired in the area of investment analysis.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. construct a viable project proposal, within the context of existing literature
- 2. research widely in the area of practical investment analysis and be able to apply a set of objective analytical tools, including a range of company stock valuation methods, to a complex case study firm
- 3. reconcile the outcomes of a range of stock valuation methods vis-à-vis the market value employ the tools of financial statement analysis in a structured manner
- 4. engage in deep analysis of the macroeconomic environment and the competitive environment of the industry or industries to which the firm belongs
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. use independent study skills including the use of the library and relevant financial databases
- 6. present research plans and salient analytical results in an appropriate company report format
- 7. demonstrate the ability to provide reasoned investment advice on a real-world stock
- 8. develop analytical and report-writing skills in an applied investment setting
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 9. conduct a piece of independent research
- 10. evaluate a complex real-world case in an objective analytical framework
- 11. manage time and research resources
- 12. take responsibility for the direction and management of a research project from inception through to completion and submission
Syllabus plan
Thematic project seminars; meetings with supervision team
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 295 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Contact hours | 5 | Supervision |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project Proposal | 1000 words | 5-6 | Written feedback |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final Project | 100 | 8,000 words | 1-12 | Written feedback |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Final project | Final project | 1-12 | September |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
K K. Palepu, P. Healy, V. Bernard, 2012, Business Analysis and Valuation using Financial Statements, 5th ed, UK: Cengage Learning;
G.I. White, A.C. Sondhi and D. Fried, 2003, The Analysis and Use of Financial Statements, 3rd ed, Chichester: Wiley;
M. Fridson and F. Alvarez, 2011, Financial Statement Analysis: A Practitioner’s Guide, 4th ed, Chichester: Wiley;
S. Benninga, Financial Modeling, 2014, 4th edition, Mass: MIT Press.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=160
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | BEAM032/BEFM011 and BEAM038/BEFM016 |
| NQF level (module) | 7 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 19/02/2020 |
| Last revision date | 19/02/2020 |
