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2010/1 Module Catalogue
 Module Code: MANM137 Module Title: DERIVATIVES SECURITIES
Module Provider: School of Management Short Name: MA328
Level: M Module Co-ordinator: SKINNER FS Prof (SoM)
Number of credits: 15 Number of ECTS credits: 7.5
 
Module Availability
Spring
Assessment Pattern

Unit(s) of Assessment

Weighting Towards Module Mark (%)

Two assignments each worth 5%

10

Test (2 hours, multiple choice and small problems

20

Examination (Closed book, 2 hours)

70

Module Overview

This module is targeted at students interested in understanding the purpose and use of derivative securities, specifically forwards, futures, swaps and options. Applications in hedging and speculating in corporate and funds management are used to reinforce a rigorous development of arbitrage theory that underpins the pricing behaviour of derivative securities. This unit is aimed at students seeking a career in the Financial Services Industry who are seeking a deeper understanding of the derivatives based products that they sell.

Prerequisites/Co-requisites
Candidates must have taken Foundations of Finance, MA303
Module Aims
This module aims to provide a complete understanding of derivative securities, forwards, futures, swaps and options, including the binomial and continuous time pricing theory based on pure arbitrage and the uses of various derivative securities in a corporate setting as well as in funds management. Candidates are also exposed to the institutional structure of various derivative markets such as margin requirements, types of orders, trading styles and so on.
Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module the students will be able to:

  • Understand and be able to explain pure arbitrage theories and relate them to the pricing of all types of derivative securities including forward, futures and options.
  • Know the structure of exchange traded and over the counter markets in derivative securities.
  • Be able to implement a simple binomial model using spreadsheets to value exotic derivative securities.
  • Introduce various types of derivative securities and discuss the role each financial security can play in achieving financial objectives.
  • Critically think both theoretically and strategically about derivatives and be able to apply them to portfolios of cash securities to develop creative portfolio strategies for corporations and funds.

Module Content
  1. Mechanics of Forward and Futures Markets
  2. Hedging Strategies using Forwards and Futures
  3. Determination of Forward and Futures prices
  4. Interest rate Swaps
  5. Mechanics of Options markets
  6. Trading Strategies involving options
  7. Introduction to Binomial Trees
  8. Valuing Stock Options: The Black-Scholes Model
  9. Options on Stock Indices and Currencies
Methods of Teaching/Learning

The teaching and learning strategy is designed to allow students to come to grips with the essential quantitative nature of the subject, and more importantly, to facilitate the application to practical problems.

The teaching and learning methods include formal lecture and tutorial to impart theory, use of exercises to reinforce and test learning and the use of U-Learning to facilitate teaching, enhance the learning outcomes and direct students to the relevant reading in the set textbooks and in journal articles.  
Selected Texts/Journals

Books 

Expected purchase 

Hull, John C., (2008) Fundamentals of Futures and Options Markets, 6th edition, Prentice Hall 

Recommended 

Hull, John C., (2007) Futures, Options Markets and Other Derivative Securities, 6th edition, Prentice Hall 

Supporting 

Anderson Torben J (2006) Global Derivatives, Prentice Hall

Denton, Jonathan (2006) Practical Derivatives, Global Law and Business.

Skinner, Frank S. (2005) Pricing and Hedging Interest and Credit Risk Sensitive Instruments, Elsevier 

Other Indicative Reading 

Articles and other material from the financial pages of newspapers and academic

Journals, such as:

  • Journal of Finance 
  • Journal of Financial Economics
  • The Review of Financial Studies
  • Journal of Derivatives
  • Journal of Investments
  • Journal of Fixed Income
Last Updated
03.03.2011