Course Title: Analyse financial markets and information

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Offsh3 12

Course Code: ACCT5247C

Course Title: Analyse financial markets and information

School: 650T TAFE Business

Campus: Singapore Inst of Management

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

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

A range of learning activities are planned for this course including self-paced and collaborative classroom based activities.


The self-paced activities will be delivered via Blackboard and access to and use of the internet to collect, analyse and use information on a range of financial products and financial organizations.
The collaborative classroom based activities will include group discussion, group problem solving activities and opportunities to practice your skills in a simulated/real workplace environment.
You are expected to participate and contribute in all scheduled learning activities including completion of tutorial exercises consisting of practical problems, short answer questions, multiple choice, case studies and extension exercises.


Teaching Schedule

ClassTopicElements/knowledge requirements

Week 1Review of Financial mathematics & 1. The Investment Environment Element 1. Required knowledge and skills.

Week 2Topic 1 Continued 2. The investment decisionElements 1, 2. Required knowledge and skills.

Week 3Topic 2. The investment decisionElements 1, 2 & 3. Required knowledge and skills.

Week 4Topic 3. Interpret trends and market developments Elements 1,2 & 3. Required knowledge and skills.

Week 5Topic 3. Interpret trends and market developments Elements 1,2 & 3. Required knowledge and skills.

Week 6Topic 4. Principles of investingElements 1,2 & 3. Required knowledge and skills.

Week 7Test 1 (20%)

Week 8Topic 5. Asset Classes (Stock Market)Elements 2,3. Required knowledge and skills.

Week 9Topic 5. Asset Classes (Bond market)Elements 2,3 & 4. Required knowledge and skills.

Week 10Topic 6. Managed Funds 9 (Group assignment 20% )Elements 2,3 & 4. Required knowledge and skills.

Week 11Topic 7. DerivativesElements 2,3 & 4. Required knowledge and skills.

Week 12Revision

Exam Sheduled Period: Final Exam (60%) on the course during examination period


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

There is no prescribed textbook for this course.


References

Reilly, Frank K. and Edgar A. Norton, Investment (6th Edition), The Dryden Press, 1999.

Bishop, Crapp, Faff and Twite, Corporate Finance (4th Edition), Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1993/2000 (BCFT)


Other Resources

Learning support materials are made available on the Online Learning Hub www.rmit.edu.au/online. Students will be provided with Lecture overheads, Tutorial discussion questions, short answer questions and problem sets, self-directed exercises, some solutions and core notes for each topic.

Additional Reading
Brailsford and Heaney, Investments – Concepts and Applications

Bodie, Kane and Marcus, Investment (Second Edition), Richard D. Irwin Publishers, 1993, Illinois.

Burton G. Malkiel, A Random Walk Down Wall Street,( 6th Edition), W.W.Norton & Co, 1996.

Reilly and Brown, Investment Analysis and Portfolio Management, 5th Edition, Dryden Press, 1997.

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

1. The class test will be of two (2) hours.
The test will assess students’ understanding of the fundamental concepts in investments. It will comprise case studies and short answer questions.

2. Group Assignment. Assignment teams are required to construct portfolio of stocks from Singapore stock exchange based on Market & fundamental analysis using EXCEL.

3. A closed book exam covering all topics. A Formula sheet will be provided and only non-programmable calculators are allowed.


Assessment Matrix

Assessment No and Week No Assessment Description Maximum % grade allocated
Class Test in week 7 The class test will be of two (2) hours.
The test will assess students’ understanding of the fundamental concepts in investments. It will comprise case studies and short answer questions.
CA/NYC
20%
Group Project / Assignment due in week 10 Assignment teams are required to construct portfolio of stocks from Singapore stock exchange based on Market & fundamental analysis using EXCEL. CA/NYC
20%
Final Examination during examination period A closed book exam covering all topics. A Formula sheet will be provided and only non-programmable calculators are allowed
 
60%

Other Information

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.

A final examination offered to students who have achieved CA. The final examination is for grading purposes only and is intended for students requiring a grade for articulation into higher education programs.

Assignment Submission Procedure
All assignments must be submitted online through the course Blackboard. They must be accompanied by an assignment cover sheet and submitted though Tunitin, a plagiarism checking tool. For information on Turnitin see;

Student FAQ, http://www.rmit.edu.au/academicintegrity/studentfaq
Student procedures and account setup (pdf),
http://www.rmit.edu.au/academicintegrity/studentprocedures

Turnitin student information page, https://www.turnitin.com/static/training/student.php
Turnitin will assess your work in approximately one minute, and return a colour coded response for the originality of the text.

Penalties for late submission
All assignments will be marked as if submitted on time then the mark awarded will be reduced by 10% for each day (or part of a day) it is late.
Assignments that are late by 7 days or more will not be marked and will be assessed as Not Yet Competent and awarded zero marks.

Final Grades table:

HDCompetent with High Distinction
DICompetent with Distinction
CRCompetent with Credit
PACompetency Achieved – Graded
NNNot Yet Competent
DNSDid Not Submit for assessment

Competency / Grading Criteria
In addition to the above statement on competency and grading, grades for this course will be awarded on the following basis:

Not Yet Competent / Fail (NN):
The submitted/presented work does not meet the criteria set for the assessment tasks; and the elements and crtieria of the unit / course.

Competent / Pass (PA) 50-59%:
The submitted/presented work meets the criteria for the set assessment tasks. Assessments have met the requirement for competence / pass against the elements and criteria for the unit / course. This includes clear evidence of understanding of the required knowledge and skills of the unit and the application of this knowledge and skills.

Competent with Credit / (CR) 60-69%:
In addition to satisfying the conditions for competency, the submitted/presented work shows evidence that exceed the required standards / criteria for competence. This includes the ability to apply the knowledge and skills of the of the unit / course with more relevant detail and accuracy. Calculations and reports are completed with few errors and examples are provided to illustrate greater understanding of the issues / problems in questions and case studies.

Competent with Distinction / (DI) 70-79%:
In addition to satisfying the conditions for a credit, the submitted/presented work shows analysis of relevant material beyond that covered in the class, the ability to engage in more detailed qualitative research, and applies relevant professional and theoretical reading.. This will include the ability to apply the knowledge and skills of the of the unit / course with relevant detail and accuracy. Calculations and reports are completed with minor error and examples are provided to illustrate greater understanding of the complexity of issues / problems in questions and case studies.

Competent with High Distinction / (HD) 80%:
In addition to satisfying the conditions for a distinction, the submitted/ presented work shows evidence of high order critical analysis and insightful use of wide and relevant theoretical reading as well as thorough attention to preparation, and presentation. The submitted/presented work demonstrates the capacity to understand and apply the required knowledge and skills to complex problems. Calculations and reports are accurate and examples are provided that illustrate excellent understanding of the complexity of issues / problems in questions and case studies.

Changes to assessment scheme
Changes to the method of assessment described above may be made with the documented consent of 70% of students enrolled in the course. Students will receive written notification of any such changes.

Borderline policy
All borderline fail assignments and examination papers will be marked by a second examiner. Assessment within 5% of the pass mark is considered to be borderline for this purpose. Students who are dissatisfied with their assessment outcomes have the right to clarification from the School of how their assessment was determined
Feedback
Feedback will be provided throughout the semester in class and/or on Blackbaord. Individual and group feedback on specified learning activities as required. You are encouraged to ask and answer questions during the lecture and tutorials so that you can obtain feedback on your understanding of the concepts and issues being discussed.

You should take note of all feedback received and use this information to improve your learning outcomes and final performance in the course.

Written Reports and Essays:
Students should consult the Guidelines for Referencing and Presentation in RMIT Business. This document is the standard RMIT Business reference for Higher Education and TAFE students.

In addition to these resources, RMIT provides academic skills support and resources through the Study and Learning Centre (https://www.dlsweb.rmit.edu.au/lsu/) and the library (http://www.rmit.edu.au/library).

Plagiarism
Plagiarism: the practice of claiming, or implying, original authorship or incorporating material from someone else’s written or creative work, in whole or in part, into ones own without adequate acknowledgement. Plagiarised material can be drawn from, and presented in, written, graphic and visual form, including electronic data, and oral presentations. Plagiarism occurs when the origin of the material used is not appropriately cited.
Examples of plagiarism include:
•Copying sentences or paragraphs word-for-word from one or more sources, whether published or unpublished, which could include but is not limited to books, journals, reports, theses, websites, conference papers, course notes, etc. without proper citation;
•Closely paraphrasing sentences, paragraphs, ideas or themes without proper citation;
•Piecing together text from one or more sources and adding only linking sentences;
•Copying or submitting whole or parts of computer files without acknowledging their source;
•Copying designs or works of art and submitting them as your original work;
•Copying a whole or any part of another student’s work;
•Submitting work as your own that someone else has done for you; and
•Enabling plagiarism: the act of assisting or allowing another person to plagiarise or to copy your own work.
Advice and activities are available to help you cite and quote your sources correctly, and avoid plagiarism, see for example
http://www.dlsweb.rmit.edu.au/lsu/content/1_StudySkills/02referencing.htm
Further information on academic integrity:
http://www.rmit.edu.au/academicintegrity

Special consideration in assessment
Special consideration is a process that takes account of unexpected or extenuating circumstances such as serious illness, serious injury or bereavement of a close family member that severely affects a student’s performance in assessment.
The RMIT University policy on special consideration in assessment can be viewed on the RMIT University website at www.rmit.edu.au/policies .

How to apply for special consideration:
You must apply for special consideration no later than two working days after the relevant examination or assessment deadline. For available lodgement methods and the current version of the application form see the special consideration website at www.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration.

Your application must be supported by a medical impact statement completed by an independent qualified practitioner and/or relevant independent substantiating documentation. A medical certificate alone is not sufficient. If you do not have the impact assessment statement completed or you do not have your supporting documentation ready when you lodge your application, you should lodge an incomplete application and provide the additional documents within five working days.

All communication about your application will be through your RMIT student email account. It is your responsibility to check your RMIT student email account regularly, promptly respond or action any requests for information and ensure your account can receive incoming emails. RMIT will advise you of the outcome via your RMIT student email account.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview