BU 234 - Investments

Credit Hours: 3

The study of investment principles, including their objectives, approaches to meeting objectives, the mechanics of investments, securities and market operations.

Course Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

demonstrate a thorough understanding of the need for the establishment of a personal financial plan early in one’s career to build resources for family needs and for retirement;
identify major tax deferral plans such as 401(K)’s, 403 (B), Keoghs, and IRA’s;
distinguish among common stocks, preferred stocks, mutual funds, ETFs, bonds, annuities, and other investment vehicles in terms of their risks, rewards, complexities, etc;
prove familiarity with the IRS and NYS regulations relating to the taxability of investments;
calculate common investment-related measurements such as acid-test ratio, yield to maturity, and price-earnings ratio and be able to interpret the meaning of these calculations;
distinguish between domestic, foreign stock, and fund investments and explain the risks and rewards of each, emphasizing American Depository Receipts;
differentiate the merits and consequences of dividends, interest (tax-exempt and taxable), and long-term and short-term capital gains;
discuss the role of puts, calls, rights, warrants, short sales, and other strategies in managing a portfolio;
explain the major differences between the DJIA and other major indices; and
illustrate the investment strengths and weaknesses for investments in precious metals and diamonds.

F/S (C, N, S)