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Module

Investment Analysis Dissertation

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.

Full module specification

Module title:Investment Analysis Dissertation
Module code:BEAM007
Module level:M
Academic year:2023/4
Module lecturers:
  • Mr Jamie Stevenson - Convenor
Module credit:30
ECTS value:

15

Pre-requisites:

None

Co-requisites:

BEAM032/BEFM011 and BEAM038/BEFM016

Duration of module:

Module aims

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.

ILO: Module-specific skills

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
52950

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Contact hours5Supervision

Formative assessment

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Project Proposal1000 words5-6Written feedback

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
10000

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Final Project1008,000 words1-12Written feedback
0
0
0
0
0

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
Final project Final project1-12September

Syllabus plan

Thematic project seminars; meetings with supervision team

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.

Module has an active ELE page?

Yes

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=160

Origin date

19/02/2020

Last revision date

19/02/2020