FIN 214 - Stocks, Bonds and Investments

1. Recognize the characteristics of and the roles played by financial institutions in the economy as a prerequisite to understanding the use of financial assets in personal investment activity
   1. Define terms in the context of their use of financial assets in personal investment activity
   2. Describe the function and role of financial markets
   3. Evaluate the relationship between risk, reward, and uncertainty
   4. Describe the function and role of financial service companies in evaluating financial assets
   5. Comprehend and apply time value of money concepts
2. Evaluate equity issues as a personal financial investment
   1. Differentiate between different types of equity investments
   2. Describe macroeconomic forces such as inflation and business cycles as they affect financial investments
   3. Assess the factors which determine the valuation of financial securities
   4. Examine the returns available to investors in stocks and other kinds of equity investments
   5. Explain the workings of stock markets and the role they play in personal investment decision making
   6. Differentiate between alternative investment analysis approaches: fundamental analysis, technical analysis, and the efficient market hypothesis
   7. Delineate the process of stock purchases and the sales and describe important terms and concepts related to the same
3. Evaluate debt issues as a personal financial investment
   1. Investigate bond markets and the forces affecting bond prices
   2. List and evaluate various types of corporate debt paper
   3. List and evaluate various types of state and local government debt paper
   4. List and evaluate various types of federal government debt paper
   5. List and evaluate agency bonds and other types of government “backed” debt paper.
   6. Delineate the process of buying and selling debt paper and describe important terms and concepts related to the same
4. Evaluate mutual funds as a personal financial investment
   1. Describe the rationale for the development of mutual funds and explore their application as a personal investment tool
   2. Identify the legal restrictions placed on and the parameters established by law on actions of investment companies
   3. Categorize mutual funds by objective and differentiate between them
   4. Categorize mutual funds by structure and differentiate between them
   5. Analyze mutual fund risk and return
   6. Review the mutual fund “prospectus” and “Statement of Additional Information
   7. Delineate the process of buying and selling mutual funds and comprehend important terms and concepts related to the same
5. Assess the state and federal tax implications of investing in stocks, bonds, and mutual funds