ECO-30048 - Module Specification
Keele Business School
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2024/25

This module deals with risk management techniques that rely on the use of derivative contracts, i.e. options, forwards, and futures. The pricing of options and other derivatives depends on three key factors:
1. the volatility of the underlying assets;
2. the extensive use of arbitrage arguments to price assets; and
3. the present value and discounting procedures to value streams of cash flows.
Bringing these three elements together, drawing on methods learned in ECO-20007 (Finance 1) (or, previously, ECO-10017 Economics for Financial Markets and ECO-20041 Asset Pricing) and ECO-20051 (Finance 2) (or, previously, ECO-20044 Portfolio Choice), and deepening the understanding of each, it will be shown how complex derivatives, such as options, futures, and forward contracts can be analysed.

This module deals with risk management techniques that rely on the use of derivative contracts, i.e. options, forwards, and futures. The valuation of derivatives is based on present value, discounting and arbitrage procedures that have been trailed in ECO-20007 (Finance 1) (or, previously, ECO-10017 Economics of Financial Markets, and, ECO-20041 Asset Pricing) and ECO-20051 (Finance 2) (or, previously, ECO-20044 Portfolio Choice.) Bringing these three elements together and deepening the understanding of each, it will be shown how complex derivatives, like options and futures contracts can be analysed.

Intended Learning Outcomes

analyse and understand the role of derivatives markets: 1
demonstrate an understanding of the role of arbitrage in the determination of the prices of derivatives: 1,2
demonstrate knowledge of the alternative mathematical models and techniques to price derivatives
: 1,2
critically evaluate alternative derivative trading strategies: 2
demonstrate the use of options and futures for hedging, arbitrage and speculative activity: 2
enhance numeracy skills and problem solving skills: 1,2

Study hours

20 hours lectures,
4 hours tutorials,
1 hour class test,
3 hours exam,
122 hours independent study including preparation for lectures, tutorials and assessments.

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment