Course Title: Analyse financial markets and information

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2010

Course Code: ACCT5239C

Course Title: Analyse financial markets and information

School: 650T TAFE Business

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5205 - Diploma of Financial Services

Course Contact : Gowri Raviganesh

Course Contact Phone: 61 3 9925 1377

Course Contact Email:gowri.raviganesh@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Name Craig Kingsley

Contact 9925-5456

Email craig.kingsley@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 60

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

NONE

Course Description


This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to monitor and assess markets and information, analyse economic trends and developments, and provide market reports.
No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.

This unit is delivered using a blend of classroom based and self -paced learning activities.
 

If you are undertaking this course in Melbourne from semester 2, 2012 onwards your teacher will advise you if you require access to a computer for the course. It is recommended that you have access to a mobile computing device to allow greater flexibility in terms of where you can work on campus outside class times.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

FNSFMKT501B Analyse financial markets and information

Element:

FNSFMKT501B/01 Determine the operations within financial markets

Performance Criteria:

1.1 The different financial market sectors that occur within the financial market are identified
1.2 The relationship between financial market sectors, participants and the economy are identified

Element:

FNSFMKT501B/02 Access market information

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Aims and objectives of financial markets analysis are clearly established in accordance with client and organisational requirements
2.2 Clear and quantifiable parameters are set for the identification and sourcing of information in accordance with legislative and organisational requirements
2.3 Market information and data is accessed and evaluated in terms of validity, reliability and relevance in accordance with identified analysis requirement
2.4 Methods of analysis, testing, assessment and evaluation are appropriate to the information and the goals and objectives of the research

Element:

FNSFMKT501B/03 Interpret trends and market developments

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Quantitative and/or qualitative analysis is undertaken of comparative market data using standard financial analysis techniques
3.2 Economic trends and market developments are identified and evaluated in terms of potential implications and impacts on business
3.3 Risk contingencies are identified and quantified in accordance with industry standards, precedents and techniques
3.4 Sound inductive reasoning is applied to ensure consistency of interpretations based on available information

Element:

FNSFMKT501B/04 Report on market data

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Market performance, trends and risk analyses are prioritised and prepared for presentation in the required format, style and structure
4.2 Conclusions are verified, current and sufficiently detailed to meet identified analysis requirements
4.3 Report is prepared and distributed to relevant persons within agreed timeframes in accordance with organisational requirements
4.4 The use of market information and data is in accordance with the relevant legal and ethical constraints and organisational requirements


Learning Outcomes



Details of Learning Activities

Lecture sessions and practical lab sessions. Students will participate in tutorial-based discussion groups that will enable them to relate topics to the environment, in which they live and work. They will be required to present their own thoughts, opinions and ideas. A range of learning team activities will assist them to develop and apply their knowledge in different situations that reflect tasks, which they might encounter in a business environment.
A range of self directed learning activities would be provided for students to practice, reinforce and summarise the key learning. Students will be responsible for managing the progress of their self-directed learning.


Teaching Schedule

Week Topics Elements

 Week1                      – 8th Feb

               

Review of Financial mathematics &

1. The Investment Environment                     

Element  1             

 

Week 2- 15th Feb Topic 1 Continued
2. The investment decision
Elements 1,2
Week 3- 22nd Feb 2. The investment decision Elements 1, 2 & 3
Week 4- 1st Mar 3. Interpret trends and market developments Elements 1,2 & 3
Week 5- 8th Mar 3. Interpret trends and market developments Elements 1,2 & 3
Week 6- 15th Mar

4. Principles of                investing                            

 Elements 1,2 & 3
 Week 7- 22nd Mar  Revision  
 Week 8- 29th Mar  Test 1 (25%)  
   Mid Semester Break 1st Apr – 7th  
 Week 8- 5th Apr  Test 1  
 Week 9- 12th Apr  Assignment in lab  
 Week 10 – 19th Apr  5. Asset Classes
(stock Market
 Elements 2,3
 Week 11- 26th Apr  5. Asset Classes
Assignment in lab
 Elements 2,3 & 4
 Week 12- 3rd May  5. Asset Classes
(Bond market)
 Elements 2,3 & 4
 Week 13- 10th May  6. Managed Funds  Elements 2,3 & 4
 Week 14- 17th May  Assignment in lab  Assignment due by end of the week (20%)
Week 15- 24th May   7. Derivatives  Elements 2,3 & 4
 Week 16 – 31st May  Revision  
 Week 17- 7th Jun  Test 2 (55%)  
 Week 18- 14th Jun  Review and assessment feedback  


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References

Brailsford , Heaney, and Bilson Investments – Concepts and Applications, 3rd edition, Cengage Learning Australia, Melbourne
Reilly and Brown, Investment Analysis and Portfolio Management, 9th Edition, South-Western Cengage Learning, Australia


Other Resources

Learning support materials are made available on the Online Learning Hub www.rmit.edu.au/online . Access to an Internet connected computer outside of class times – Internet connected computers are available in the Business Portfolio labs on Level 3 of Building 108, 239 Bourke Street Melbourne.

Students are required to have a non-programmable calculator that can perform basic mathematical functions. Formula sheets are provided for class tests. Please note that calculators that have the capacity to store text are not permitted in tests.

Floppy disks OR other suitable storage media are required for the submission of assignment softcopies.


Overview of Assessment

Students must demonstrate an understanding of all elements of competency to be deemed competent.

A range of assessment methods are used to assess practical skills and knowledge.

Critical aspects of assessment

Evidence of the following is essential

• interpret and use economic concepts
• identify market participants, economic trends and market development and monitor and evaluate changes in market conditions using a range of data sources
• work within legal and ethical constraints and access market information and produce reports using relevant data analysis methods and techniques
• formulate and draw effective conclusions from the correct interpretation of data analysis.


You are required to complete 3 Assessments tasks comprising of two tests and one group assignment. You must successfully complete all 3 tasks to be deemed competent in this unit.  You will receive feedback on each assessment task that will inform you whether you are competent or not and how well you are performing. Once competent in all elements of the unit you receive a competency grading.


Assessment Tasks

Class Test in week 8 In class closed book test, 2 hr duration. A Formula sheet will be provided and only non-programmable calculators are allowed 25%
Group Assignment week 14 Assignment teams are required to visit ASX to construct and monitor performance of portfolio of stocks based on fundamental analysis using EXCEL. CA/NYC 20%
Final Test week 17 A closed book test covering all topics. A Formula sheet will be provided and only non-programmable calculators are allowed 55%

Competency and grading requirements:
To be deemed competent students must demonstrate an understanding of all elements of a competency. Assessment methods have been designed to measure achievement of each competency in a flexible manner over multiple tasks. Students are advised that they are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate their assessment work to their teacher to ensure that the relevant competency standards are being met.

All competency based assessments for this course must be completed to achieve CA. Each assessment task will also carry a numerical weighting to be used for grading purposes. The grade applied to this weighting will only be awarded if a CA has been achieved in all compulsory assessment tasks.

If a student has been marked NYC (Not Yet Competent) in any of the assessment tasks, the weighting will carry no value until the student has obtained CA. If a CA is achieved on re-assessment then a maximum mark of 50% of the original weighting will be granted for that assessment.

Reassessments will only be granted to students who were either unsuccessful in the first attempt or have an approved special consideration application.
A final test will be offered to students seeking grading (from Pass to High Distinction). This will only be available to students who have achieved a CA in both of the first two assessments


Assessment Matrix

 BSBMKG507A            

Interpret market trends and             developments

 

Class Test

Week  8             

(25%)

 

Group Project

 Week  14           

 CA/NYC (20%)

 

Final Test 

 Week 17   

       (55%)

 Element 1: Determine the operations within  financial                             markets       Y  Y  
 Element 2: Access market information    Y  
 Element 3: Interpret trends and market developments      Y  Y  
 Element 4: Report on market data    Y  

Course Overview: Access Course Overview