FIN 180 - Introduction to Investments

1. Examine the various types of securities and other investment opportunities
   1. Identify possible investments
   2. Differentiate between various risks in investing
2. Identify the risks and returns with different investments
3. Explain how the securities business operates and how to utilize the services of stockbrokers
   1. Distinguish between stock, option, and other trading mechanisms
   2. Identify various types of stock brokerage services
   3. Separate the functions of a full service broker and one who offers little service other than market executions
   4. Explain the different charges for broker services
4. Relate the steps utilizing research from available library sources to research stock and bond investments
   1. Compare stock analysis by various kinds of stock services
   2. Generate reports on individual stocks utilizing these services
   3. Relate this advice with annual reports from various businesses
5. Explain commonly used stock averages and how to judge trends shown by these averages
   1. Explain how these averages were originated
   2. Compare the trends of these averages with actual stock movements vs. general business conditions
6. Perceive the relationship of general and specific industry economic activities as they affect investment decisions
7. Explain how various government actions, social trends and technology influence potential investments
   1. Relate government laws and regulations towards investment decisions
   2. Examine social trends as they affect the stock market and individual industries
   3. State how state-of-the-art technology can affect individual stock performances
8. Analyze financial statements in relationship to making an investment
   1. Show the various financial ratios in terms of making investment plans
   2. Relate how changes in the status of reported numbers might affect an investment decision
   3. Compare individual companies’ reports with industry standards
9. Explain various portfolio tactics in building an investment plan for people with different financial objectives
   1. Illustrate how the age of an investor should influence investment decisions
   2. Assess an individual’s personality towards speculating
   3. Measure the amount of risk that an individual might take when building a portfolio
10. Recognize the tax considerations of each kind of investment
11. Define different types of option buying and selling and how they can be part of good portfolio management
12. Explain the mechanics of stock splits, dividends, rights, convertible securities, and warrants
    1. Distinguish between regular and reverse stock splits
    2. Explain the value of a stock holding before and after a stock split or dividend
    3. Contrast an investment in a convertible issue and in the common stock of the same company
    4. Explain how a warrant comes about and how it works
13. Measure the role of other investments such as real estate, insurance, art, coins, and collectibles in building a diversified portfolio
    1. Analyze a portfolio of stocks and other investments
    2. Relate the affect of inflation on investments
    3. Compare the flexibility of stock investments and other investments
    4. Compare the ease of estimating the value of stocks vs. other investments