Course detail

Comodity and Stock Trading

FP-OocpPAcad. year: 2020/2021

The course focuses on the issues of investment in securities and commodities and their trading on publicly organized markets. The interpretation goes from the essence of the function of the stock markets to the systemic definition of their internal structure to the mechanism of their operation and the possible economic impacts in case of failure. Subsequently, it focuses on individual types of financial investment instruments, especially on exchangeable securities and commodities, foreign currencies, futures derivatives, securities of investment and mutual funds and, last but not least, publicly tradable structured products. And part of the interpretation is fundamental, technical and psychological analysis, as well as practical training of securities trading both in the Czech Republic and abroad. By completing the course, the student acquires a comprehensive view of the current ways of using financial investment instruments for external financing of the company (or recognizes the meaning of financial transactions carried out by the so-called transnational financial conglomerates), and learns how to manage their own assets. And, given the knowledge gained on the investment and knowledge of both securities and commodities, it will be able to independently conduct business transactions both in the Czech Republic and on foreign exchanges.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

5

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Learning outcomes of the course unit

Students will understand the function of financial markets and the importance of securities, carry out the analyzes needed to decide on investments in the financial markets, diversify risk, design investment strategies, and will be equipped with the necessary knowledge and knowledge of trading methods of securities, foreign currencies and commodities.

Prerequisites

The course requires prior knowledge of economics, mathematics, statistics and the basics of law.

Co-requisites

Not applicable.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The course is taught through lectures explaining the basic principles and theory of the discipline and practical topics.

Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes

The course is completed graded credit, based on the successful writing of a written test which is consisting of two parts, both of which must be successfully met. The first part of the test consists of calculating the three examples, each of which is calculated correctly for example a student can get up to 5 points. Student can
receive in total 15 points of the test. The minimum number of points, which can be part of this test is to recognize the 10.
The second part of the test consists of twenty questions, having different numbers of correct answers that student rings. For the correct answer student gets positive point, for a wrong answer gets minus point. No answers are in the focus on. If the student reaches 90% of the maximum number of correct answers, he is evaluated and graded A, upon reaching 85% correct level B, while achieving 80% correct degree C, reaching 75% in stage D and at a 70% correct degree E.

Course curriculum

The subject is focused on the issues of investment in securities and commodities and their trading. The interpretation goes from the essence of the function of the stock markets to the systemic definition of their internal structure to the mechanism of their operation and the possible economic impacts in case of failure. Subsequently, it focuses on individual types of financial investment instruments, especially on exchangeable securities and commodities, foreign currencies, futures derivatives, securities of investment and mutual funds and, last but not least, publicly tradable structured products. Part of the explanation is also fundamental, technical and psychological analysis, as well as practical training of securities trading both in the Czech Republic and abroad.
1. Characteristics of capital markets. Exchange systems, specific functions of their individual sub-segments.
2. The basic factors of the investment strategy.
3. Types of shares, their properties and trading patterns.
4. Fundamental stock analysis.
5. Technical Analysis and Psychological Analysis.
6. Types of bonds, their characteristics, valuation methods and trading.
7. Specific characteristics of commodities, their valuation and trading; specifics of trading of precious metals and foreign currencies.
8. Term derivative instruments; trading futures, options and futures options.
9. Specifics of collective investment funds and qualified investors (hedge funds) and "Exchange traded funds".
10. Types of structured products, their nature, risk, pricing, and trading patterns.

Work placements

Not applicable.

Aims

Not applicable.

Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences

66% attendance on lecturers
Self preparation for lecturers
Self study of literature
1 assignment
Self preparation for final exam

Recommended optional programme components

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

REJNUŠ, Oldřich. Finanční trhy. 4., aktualiz. a rozš. vyd. Praha: Grada, 2014. 760 s. Profesional. ISBN 978-80-247-3671-6.

Recommended reading

MISHKIN, Frederic S., MATTHEWS, Kent a GIULIODORI, Massimo. The economics of money, banking and financial markets. Harlow: Pearson Education, 2013. xxix, 625 s. ISBN 978-0-273-73180-1.
MELUZÍN, T. Finanční trhy - cvičení: (základy finanční matematiky). 3., přeprac. vyd. Brno: Akademické nakladatelství CERM, 2012. ISBN 978-80-214-4615-
MELUZÍN, T., ZINECKER, M. a ŁAPIŃSKA, J. Initial public offering: theory and practice of Czech and Polish companies. Toruń: Polish Economic Society, Branch in Toruń, 2012. ISBN 978-83-62049-15-
REJNUŠ,O., Finanční trhy - Učebnice s programem na generování cvičných testů. Praha, GRADA, 1. vydání, 2016, 380 stran.
GLADIŠ, D. Akciové investice. 1. vyd. Praha: Grada, 2015. Investice. ISBN 978-80-247-5375-1.
Wystup, Uwe. FX options and structured products. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons, 2006. xv, 323 s. Wiley finance series. ISBN 0-470-01145-9. (EN)
Kislingerová, Eva a Hnilica, Jiří. Finanční analýza: krok za krokem. 2. vyd. Praha: C.H. Beck, 2008. xiii, 135 s. C.H. Beck pro praxi. ISBN 978-80-7179-713-5. (CS)

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme MGR-MEO Master's, 2. year of study, summer semester, compulsory

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

20 hours, optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

Definition of organized markets, their characteristics and economic importance.
Exchange systems, specific functions of their individual sub-segments.
The basic factors of the investment strategy.
Types of shares, their properties and trading patterns.
Fundamental stock analysis.
Technical analysis.
Psychological analysis.
Stock exchange trading.
Types of bonds, their characteristics, valuation methods and trading.
Specific features of commodities, their analysis and trading patterns; specifics of trading of precious metals and foreign currencies.
Term derivative instruments; trading futures, options and futures options.
Specifics of classic collective investment funds, "Exchange traded funds" and funds of qualified investors (or hedge funds).
Types of structured products and specifics of their trading.

Exercise

10 hours, compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer