FINANCE 362 : Risk Management

Business and Economics

2021 Semester One (1213) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Examines theoretical and practical aspects of risk management with an emphasis on the effective use of futures, options and other financial derivatives to control market risk exposure. Reviews no-arbitrage methods used to value financial futures and options, including the Black-Scholes model and binomial tree numerical methods.

Course Overview

This course seeks to provide students with an understanding of the basic tools employed in managing financial risks. The course focuses on how firms use a range of derivative instruments including forward, futures, options, and swap contracts to manage financial price risks. This course is designed to provide students with a sound theoretical base and analytical skills to evaluate these instruments used to hedge financial risks.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: FINANCE 261 and MATHS 208 or 250

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Commerce

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Apply no-arbitrage arguments and price a range of derivative securities including forward, futures and option contracts (Capability 1, 2, 3 and 4.2)
  2. Identify risk management issues facing investors and corporations (Capability 1, 2 and 4.2)
  3. Demonstrate an understanding of the financial risk management strategies and instruments that can be employed by investors and corporations to hedge financial risks (Capability 1, 2, 3 and 4.2)
  4. Implement risk management strategies and determine the number and position of derivative contacts that must be employed to hedge a given exposure (Capability 1, 2, 3 and 4.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignments 15% Individual Coursework
Assignments 15% Individual Coursework
Test 30% Individual Test
Final Exam 40% Individual Examination
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4
Assignments
Assignments
Test
Final Exam

A minimum mark of 50% in the final examination is expected as a pre-requisite to passing this course. This course does not offer plussage.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course they are enrolled in.

The course will be delivered via up to three hours of lectures per week plus a one-hour tutorial (tutorials start from week 2). Students are expected to devote at least another 6 - 7 hours per week in reading, revision, assignments and preparing for the test / final exam.

Delivery Mode

Learning Resources

The prescribed text for this course is Hull (2016) Fundamentals of Futures and Options Markets (8th International Edition), Pearson.

You can find on Canvas relevant teaching materials, including lecture slides, miscellaneous resources and end-of-topic revision problems. 

You should regularly check Canvas for course announcements and other important material that may be posted during the semester (including the period between the end of lectures and the final exam day).

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 26/11/2020 10:30 a.m.