KOI
Trimester 3, 2014
FIN201 – Investment Management
ASSIGNMENTINDIVIDUAL
ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT CLASSES AND THEIR ROLE IN INVESTMENT PORTFOLIOS
Topic:
Your topic is:
Alternative Investment Classes and their Role in Investment Portfolios
You are required to describe, with examples, a selection of seven (7) alternative investments which are generally available on capital and other markets, the expected / realized returns and risks of each, and to consider how they are used in constructing and hedging investment portfolios.
Details of the Assignment requirements, suggested points for detailed examination and penalties for late lodgment are in the Subject Outline.
You are required to complete this essay individually (no groups).
You should follow the following typing conventions:
Times New Roman font (at minimum , 12 pitch)
1.5 line spacing
Top, bottom, left and right margins to be at least 2.5 cms from the edge of the page; and
A4 paper.
Research and Referencing
You should begin by studying Chapter 18 of the text-book. This contains at least 5 alternative investment classes.
You will need to discover at least 6 references apart from the text-book. This should include at least one other book and one journal article.
Use Harvard referencing! See .wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvard_referencing”>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvard_referencing
Marking Guide
The Assignment will be marked out of 30% and there will be 4 components.
Component 1 14 marks. ANALYSIS. Discussion and understanding of seven (7) types of alternative investments available on financial and other markets, along with a description of their main features, investment returns achieved and/or targeted, risks attaching to each selected alternative investment and an illustrative example of each type selected.
Component 2 – 7 marks RESEARCH EXTENT AND APPLICATION. Discussion and detailed understanding of alternative investments in the investment portfolio construction and management process, including . reasons for investing in them. Extent of research and source referencing.
Component 3 4 marks RECOMMENDATIONS / CONCLUSIONS. Following the above analysis and application of your research, state any recommendations which emerge for investor portfolio managers and investors, and separately – summarise your overall conclusions.
Component 4 – 5 marks PRESENTATION. Clear and concise expression, professional presentation, grammar, spelling and the use of graphs, tables and appropriate source referencing of material, charts, tables, etc.
The purpose of this Assignment is to test your initiative as advanced degree students, and your ability to discover information and apply this to portfolio management .
Remember that plagiarism brings severe penalties.
