B8156 - FINANZA, INVESTIMENTI E TRADING

Learning outcomes

The course is designed to equip students with both the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed to understand, analyze, and implement key short-term trading strategies and long-term investment plans utilized in financial markets. It provides an integrated perspective on professional investors’ trading and investment decisions. By the end of the course, students will be able to: (i) analyze and assess the effectiveness of short-term trading strategies and long-term investment plans; (ii) develop trading strategies tailored to various market conditions; (iii) create investment plans that consider the macroeconomic environment and financial market dynamics; and (iv) use software tools and trading platforms to monitor and evaluate their decisions.

Course contents

1. Operations
   1. Products
   2. Markets
   3. Trading book
2. Performance and risk measures
   1. Preliminary definitions
   2. Return measures
   3. Risk measures
   4. Risk-adjusted return measures
3. Analysis
   1. Macroeconomic analysis
   2. Fundamental analysis
   3. Technical analysis
   4. Informational efficiency
4. Strategies
   1. Preliminary definitions
   2. Trading strategies
   3. Investment strategies

Readings/Bibliography

Course Materials

Lecture notes will be made available on the “virtuale.unibo.it” platform. No preliminary or prerequisite readings are recommended.

Recommended Books

Luenberger, D. G. (2011). Finanza e investimenti. Fondamenti matematici. Apogeo Education. ISBN 978-8838786365.

Pring, M. J. (2002). Analisi tecnica dei mercati finanziari (3ª ed.).McGraw-Hill. ISBN 978-8838660641.

Blanchard, O. et al. (2024). Macroeconomia. Una prospettiva europea (Nuova ed.). Il Mulino. ISBN 978‑88‑15‑38981‑7

Teaching methods

The entire course program is thoroughly covered during the lectures. The classes will be complemented by practical exercises and the discussion of case studies. Attendance is not mandatory, but it is strongly recommended.

Assessment methods

Description of the exam

Students’ preparation will be assessed through a written exam.

• The exam consists of 16 multiple-choice questions, worth a total of 32 points.
• The duration of the exam is 40 minutes.
• Each correct answer is worth 2 points.
• There is no penalty for incorrect answers, and each question has only one correct option.

Objectives of the exam

The exam is designed to verify the achievement of the following learning objectives:

• Ability to understand the main economic variables relevant to investors
• Ability to analyze and define trading strategies
• Ability to analyze and define investment strategies

Grading scale

Minimum grade 18, maximum grade 30L.

• 18-23: Sufficient preparation and analytical skills on a limited number of topics covered in the course.
• 24-27: Adequate preparation and analytical skills, with some limitations; good operational skills, though not particularly articulated.
• 28-30: Very good knowledge of a large number of topics covered in the course; strong operational and critical skills.
• 30L: Excellent and exhaustive knowledge of the topics covered in the course; exceptional critical analysis and ability to make connections.

Teaching tools

Video projector and whiteboard, spreadsheet software, and a tablet.

Office hours

See the website of Pierpaolo Pattitoni