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Securing Investment Returns in the Long Run

University of Geneva- Olivier Scaillet, University of Geneva- Jonas Demaurex, University of Geneva- Philip Valta, University of Geneva- Tony Berrada, University of Geneva- Michel Girardin, University of Geneva- Philipp Krueger, University of Geneva- Ines Chaieb, University of Geneva- Kerstin Preuschoff, and University of Geneva- Rajna Gibson Brandon

In this course, you will learn about the famous dichotomy between active and passive investing, how to appropriately measure and analyze investment performance and what the future trends in the investment management industry are.

You will first learn about absolute and relative performance, risk-adjusted returns and how to decompose investment performance. The focus will then shift to the two main categories of investment vehicles, active and passive funds, and what they entail in terms of expected performance. Finally, you will explore the worlds of sustainable finance, neurofinance and fintech, three areas of research that will shape the future of the investment management industry.

You will also benefit from the insights of experts from UBS, our corporate partner, on the practical implementation of the various concepts we will develop in this course.

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What's inside

Syllabus

General Introduction and Key Concepts

Welcome to the course and this introductory module! After reviewing some mistakes you will no longer make after following this course and some useful things to know before the course, we will dive into one of the main topics of this course: the active versus passive investment management debate.

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Teaches learners the fundamentals of investment management, including key concepts and active versus passive management debate

Provides practical insights from UBS experts on the implementation of investment concepts covered in the course

Taught by renowned professors from the University of Geneva with expertise in investment management

Covers future trends in the investment management industry, including sustainable investing, neurofinance, and fintech

Requires learners to have some prior knowledge of finance and investment concepts to fully benefit from the course

Duration or workload of the course is not specified, so learners may need to manage their time accordingly

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Reviews summary

Insights on investment returns and future trends

According to learners, this course provides a clear and well-structured overview of key topics in investment management, particularly focusing on the active vs. passive debate and performance analysis. Many students found the discussions on future trends like sustainable finance, neurofinance, and fintech to be highly relevant and valuable, offering forward-looking perspectives. The course is often described as providing a solid foundation, although some reviewers note that it might be better suited for those with some existing financial knowledge or those seeking a broad introduction rather than deep technical detail. Insights from the corporate partner (UBS) are highlighted by several as a positive addition, bridging academic concepts with practical industry views.

Well-paced and logical progression.

"The course was well-paced, with each module building logically on the last."

"I found the structure of the course easy to follow, progressing from concepts to vehicles and future trends."

"The breakdown into distinct modules made the content digestible and manageable."

Practical insights from industry partner.

"The segments with the UBS experts were extremely helpful in seeing how these concepts apply in the real world."

"Getting the practitioner's perspective from UBS added significant value to the academic material."

"I enjoyed the discussions with the corporate partner; they offered practical context missing from other courses."

Provides a good introductory foundation.

"This course gave me a solid foundation in investment performance and understanding different fund types."

"It's a great starting point if you want an overview of securing long-term investment returns."

"While not overly technical, it builds a strong base for understanding core investment concepts."

Coverage of future trends is valuable.

"The modules on sustainable finance and fintech were fascinating and very relevant to where the industry is headed."

"Learning about neurofinance was unexpected but provided really interesting insights into decision-making."

"I appreciated the forward look into sustainable investing; it felt very timely and important."

Explanations are clear and easy to follow.

"The explanations of risk-adjusted returns and performance attribution were very clear, making complex topics accessible."

"I found the way the course explained the active vs passive debate to be particularly well-structured and easy to understand."

"Concepts are explained in a clear and concise manner, perfect for grasping the fundamentals."

Some wish for more technical depth.

"Could use more in-depth coverage on the quantitative methods used for performance analysis."

"I was hoping for more technical detail on specific investment strategies beyond the high-level overview."

"While clear, it stays relatively high-level and might not satisfy those looking for advanced quantitative techniques."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Securing Investment Returns in the Long Run with these activities:

Gather Learning Materials

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Start by organizing your notes, assignments, quizzes, and exams. Doing some work upfront will help you succeed once the course begins.

Browse courses on Investment Management

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Create a dedicated folder or notebook for the course
Review and organize your syllabus and course schedule
Collect and organize any textbooks, readings, or other materials

Read 'Investment Patterns: Investment Allocation and Trading Strategies'

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This book will give you a strong foundation in the theory and practice of investment management. It will help you understand the different asset classes, investment strategies, and risk management techniques.

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Read the book thoroughly
Take notes and highlight important passages
Complete the practice exercises at the end of each chapter

Practice Investment Calculations

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Solve practice problems to reinforce your understanding of the concepts covered in the course. This will help you develop the skills you need to be successful in the course.

Browse courses on Finance

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Find practice problems on websites or in textbooks
Solve the practice problems
Check your answers with the solutions provided

Four other activities

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Create an Investment Glossary

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As you learn new terms and concepts, add them to your glossary. This will help you remember the information and easily reference it later.

Browse courses on Finance

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Start a new document or spreadsheet
Define each new term or concept you encounter
Include synonyms or related terms

Learn about Investment Management Software

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There are many software programs that can help you manage your investments. Take some time to learn about the different options and choose one that meets your needs.

Browse courses on Finance

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Research different investment management software programs
Read reviews and watch tutorials
Choose a program and sign up for a free trial

Form a Study Group

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Studying with peers can be a great way to reinforce your learning and get help with difficult concepts.

Browse courses on Finance

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Find other students who are taking the same course
Set up a regular meeting time
Discuss the course material and work on problems together

Create a Presentation on a Current Investment Topic

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Choose a current investment topic and create a presentation on it. This will help you synthesize your understanding of the topic and communicate it clearly to others.

Browse courses on Finance

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Choose a topic
Research the topic
Create an outline
Develop your presentation
Practice your presentation

Career center

Learners who complete Securing Investment Returns in the Long Run will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Portfolio Manager

Portfolio Managers manage and oversee investment portfolios for individuals, institutions, and organizations. This course may be useful to a Portfolio Manager by providing insights into investment performance measurement and analysis, different types of investment vehicles, including active and passive funds, and emerging trends in sustainable finance, neurofinance, and fintech.

See salaries and explore the career path for Portfolio Manager

Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts provide financial advice to individuals, companies, and organizations. They analyze financial data to make recommendations about investments, mergers, acquisitions, and other financial matters. This course may be useful to a Financial Analyst by providing insights into investment performance measurement and analysis, different types of investment vehicles, including active and passive funds, and emerging trends in sustainable finance, neurofinance, and fintech.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Investment Banker

Investment Bankers help companies raise capital through the issuance of stocks and bonds. They also advise companies on mergers, acquisitions, and other financial transactions. This course may be useful to an Investment Banker by providing insights into investment performance measurement and analysis, different types of investment vehicles, including active and passive funds, and emerging trends in sustainable finance, neurofinance, and fintech.

See salaries and explore the career path for Investment Banker

Quantitative Analyst

Quantitative Analysts develop and implement mathematical and statistical models to analyze financial data. They use these models to make recommendations about investments, trading strategies, and risk management. This course may be useful to a Quantitative Analyst by providing insights into investment performance measurement and analysis, different types of investment vehicles, including active and passive funds, and emerging trends in sustainable finance, neurofinance, and fintech.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quantitative Analyst

Risk Manager

Risk Managers identify and assess financial risks for companies and organizations. They develop and implement strategies to mitigate these risks. This course may be useful to a Risk Manager by providing insights into investment performance measurement and analysis, different types of investment vehicles, including active and passive funds, and emerging trends in sustainable finance, neurofinance, and fintech.

See salaries and explore the career path for Risk Manager

Financial Planner

Financial Planners help individuals and families plan for their financial future. They develop and implement financial plans that meet their clients' financial goals. This course may be useful to a Financial Planner by providing insights into investment performance measurement and analysis, different types of investment vehicles, including active and passive funds, and emerging trends in sustainable finance, neurofinance, and fintech.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Planner

Investment Consultant

Investment Consultants provide financial advice to individuals and families. They help clients develop and implement investment plans that meet their financial goals. This course may be useful to an Investment Consultant by providing fundamental knowledge about investment performance measurement and analysis, as well as insights into the future trends in the investment management industry.

See salaries and explore the career path for Investment Consultant

Compliance Officer

Compliance Officers ensure that companies and organizations comply with applicable laws and regulations. They work in a variety of industries, including finance, healthcare, and manufacturing. This course may be useful to a Compliance Officer by providing insights into investment performance measurement and analysis, different types of investment vehicles, including active and passive funds, and emerging trends in sustainable finance, neurofinance, and fintech.

See salaries and explore the career path for Compliance Officer

Investment Analyst

Investment Analysts study the economy, companies, and financial trends to make recommendations about buying, selling, or holding stocks, bonds, or other investments. This course may be useful to an Investment Analyst by providing fundamental knowledge about investment performance measurement and analysis, as well as insights into the future trends in the investment management industry.

See salaries and explore the career path for Investment Analyst

Insurance Analyst

Insurance Analysts research and analyze insurance policies and products to help their clients make informed decisions about coverage. This course may be useful to an Insurance Analyst by providing insights into investment performance measurement and analysis, and emerging trends in sustainable finance, neurofinance, and fintech.

See salaries and explore the career path for Insurance Analyst

Auditor

Auditors examine and evaluate financial records to ensure that they are accurate and complete. They work in a variety of industries, including accounting, finance, and government. This course may be useful to an Auditor by providing insights into investment performance measurement and analysis, different types of investment vehicles, including active and passive funds, and emerging trends in sustainable finance, neurofinance, and fintech.

See salaries and explore the career path for Auditor

Actuary

Actuaries use mathematical and statistical techniques to assess risks and make financial decisions. They work in a variety of industries, including insurance, finance, and consulting. This course may be useful to an Actuary by providing insights into investment performance measurement and analysis, and emerging trends in sustainable finance, neurofinance, and fintech.

See salaries and explore the career path for Actuary

Tax Accountant

Tax Accountants prepare and file tax returns for individuals and businesses. They also advise clients on tax laws and regulations. This course may be useful to a Tax Accountant by providing insights into investment performance measurement and analysis, different types of investment vehicles, including active and passive funds, and emerging trends in sustainable finance, neurofinance, and fintech.

See salaries and explore the career path for Tax Accountant

Data Analyst

Data Analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data to help businesses make informed decisions. This course may be useful to a Data Analyst by providing fundamental knowledge about investment performance measurement and analysis, as well as insights into the future trends in the investment management industry.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Forensic Accountant

Forensic Accountants investigate financial fraud and other financial crimes. They work in a variety of settings, including law enforcement, government, and private industry. This course may be useful to a Forensic Accountant by providing insights into investment performance measurement and analysis, different types of investment vehicles, including active and passive funds, and emerging trends in sustainable finance, neurofinance, and fintech.

See salaries and explore the career path for Forensic Accountant

Statistician

Statisticians collect, analyze, and interpret data to help businesses and organizations make informed decisions. This course may be useful to a Statistician by providing fundamental knowledge about investment performance measurement and analysis, as well as insights into the future trends in the investment management industry.

See salaries and explore the career path for Statistician

Reading list

We've selected 18 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Securing Investment Returns in the Long Run.

2024 CFA Program Curriculum Level II Box Set

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This series of books is the official curriculum for the CFA exam. It provides a comprehensive overview of the investment management profession. It valuable resource for both students and practitioners.

Securing Investment Returns in the Long Run

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What's inside

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Insights on investment returns and future trends

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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