Course 2020-2021 a.y.

20253 - INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL MARKETS

Department of Finance

Course taught in English
Go to class group/s: 31
CLMG (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SECS-P/11) - M (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SECS-P/11) - IM (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SECS-P/11) - MM (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SECS-P/11) - AFC (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SECS-P/11) - CLELI (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SECS-P/11) - ACME (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SECS-P/11) - DES-ESS (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SECS-P/11) - EMIT (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SECS-P/11) - GIO (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SECS-P/11) - DSBA (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SECS-P/11) - PPA (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SECS-P/11) - FIN (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SECS-P/11)
Course Director:
MANUELA GERANIO

Classes: 31 (II sem.)
Instructors:
Class 31: MANUELA GERANIO


Suggested background knowledge

Basics of macroeconomics and financial markets

Mission & Content Summary

MISSION

The scope and content of international finance has been fast evolving due to deregulation, product innovations and technological advancements. World's capital markets are becoming more integrated and new players are emerging on the international financial landscape. Therefore, a solid understanding of international finance has become essential for both economic research and corporate decision making. The course aims to provide participants with an integrated and updated view of international financial markets and the financial management of multinational firms. In addition, the course facilitates a practical approach to international financial markets by the inclusion of the Bloomberg Market Concepts modules.

CONTENT SUMMARY

  • Introduction to the International Financial Markets. International monetary Systems. Review of the balance of payments and current trends.
  • Currency markets and the behaviour of the exchange rate. Understanding the working of spot and forward currency markets. 

  • International parity conditions: purchasing power parity & interest rate parities. Carry trade strategy.

  • FX in practice: basic technical analysis knowledge and application.

  • Bloomberg Market Concepts basic modules. 

  • Types of currency exposures at the corporate level (transactional, translational, competitive). Measurement techniques, hedging strategies and tools.
  • International capital markets: taxonomy, trends and benchmarks 
  • An introduction to Islamic finance.
  • International equity markets and cross listing.
  • International financial flows and new financial hubs.
  • The global consolidation of stock exchanges.
  • The impact of fintech on markets’ infrastructures. 

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILO)

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

At the end of the course student will be able to...
  • Explain the Balance of Payments of a Country.
  • Identify FX market prices and potential arbitrage opportunities.
  • Describe international FX parities.
  • Recognize FX trading patterns.
  • Illustrate basic Bloomberg terminal functions.
  • Identify sources of FX risks for a company.
  • Describe international capital markets instruments and procedures.
  • List main issues of Islamic Finance.
  • Comment major innovations in financial market infrastructures.

APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

At the end of the course student will be able to...
  • Evaluate prospects for a currency's apreciation/depreciation.
  • Use basic technical analysis tools for FX trading.
  • Analyze and quantify exposure to FX risks.
  • Evaluate and choose FX hedging tools.
  • Use basic Bloomberg terminal functions.
  • Compare financial alternatives for funding in international markets.
  • Design a strategy for international listing.
  • Improve his/her teamwork and communications skills.

Teaching methods

  • Face-to-face lectures
  • Online lectures
  • Guest speaker's talks (in class or in distance)
  • Case studies /Incidents (traditional, online)
  • Interactive class activities (role playing, business game, simulation, online forum, instant polls)

DETAILS

  • Guest speaker's talks concern: trends in international capital markets; financial hubs and recent trends in asset management (ESG investments).
  • Online lectures: Bloomberg Market Concepts e-learning basic modules
  • Case studies follow face-to-face lectures to improve a more practically oriented learning. They focus on: the globalization of Renmimbi; hedging FX risk in a multinational company; international and sukuks bonds; international equities; internationalization of market infrastructures. 
  • Interactive class activity: a professional trader will  explain the basics of technical analysis and propose simulations on FX market  

Assessment methods

  Continuous assessment Partial exams General exam
  • Written individual exam (traditional/online)
   x x
  • Individual assignment (report, exercise, presentation, project work etc.)
     x
  • Active class participation (virtual, attendance)
 x    

ATTENDING STUDENTS

  • Attending students are expected to take part to at least 70% of the classes (as measured through the “Attendance” procedure, either on or off campus), show an active attitude towards class discussion and prepare material when requested (i.e. reading case study before class to be able to take part to the discussion).
  • Attending students are also required to take the Bloomberg Market Concept course (12 hours online training) by the 10th of May 2021. 
  • Attending students’ evaluation combine the exam result (70% of the final grade) and the BMC score (30% of the final grade).
  • Attending students’ exam focuses on material discussed in class (including case studies) as well as book chapters indicated in the syllabus. 
  • In case classes will be held on campus, attending students can split the exam into two parts, a partial examination and a final examination (each of them weighting 35% on final grade) or simply have one general exam at the end of the course (weighting 70% of final grade). If classes will be taught off campus there will be only a final general exam (no mid term exam)

NOT ATTENDING STUDENTS

Not attending students must take the general exam on the whole book. 


Teaching materials


ATTENDING STUDENTS

  • Selected chapters from:
    • C.S. EUN, B.G. RESNIK, International Financial Management, Mc Graw Hill International editions, 9th edition.
  • Cases studies will be indicated in the detailed syllabus and made available through Course Reserve at Bocconi Library.

NOT ATTENDING STUDENTS

  • C.S. EUN, B.G. RESNIK, International Financial Management, Mc Graw Hill International editions, 9th edition.
Last change 11/12/2020 19:07