Syllabus

Investment FIN 440

Massood Samii, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus
M.samii2@snhu.edu
Mvsamii@gmail.com
Southern New Hampshire University

Course Textbook
Investment Valuation; Tools and Techniques for Determining the Value of Any Asset Aswath
Damodaran Third edition

Course Description:
This course offers an opportunity for students to examine modern theories and approaches in
portfolio selection, security analysis and bond management. Emphasis is placed on integrating
modern portfolio selection models with traditional valuation theory and analysis.
COURSE OUTCOMES:
Students leave the course with the ability to:
 Evaluate the past performance of an investment portfolio.
 Estimate equity value using intrinsic (discounted cash flows) techniques.
 Estimate equity value using relative (ratio analysis) techniques.
Describe and implement derivative pricing models

Course Assignments
You should read the assigned chapter before coming to the class. Other assignment should be done
after each class before the following class. All assignments must be submitted on the Brightspace. Beside
assigned chapters there maybe additional materials that will be distributed in the class for your reading.
Project is the application of material learned in the course to Vietnam. More detail on the project will be
presented in the class.

Number of Point Value

Assignment Graded Items Per Item Total Points
Project 1 30 30
Reflection and application Essays 4 3 12
Problem Sets 4 3 12
Final exam 1 36 36
Class Participation 1 10 10

Total Course Points Possible 100

1
 Meeting Basic Needs
Students sometimes face challenges that negatively impact their lives (no access to a
computer/internet, homelessness, food insecurity, financial emergencies, academic problems,
mental health concerns, substance abuse issues, etc.).  If you experience such a hardship,
contact CAREteam@snhu.edu for campus and community supports; the CARE Team helps
students remain healthy and safe.

Course Schedule
Session Topics Learning outcome Assignment
I: 10/31 Introduction and 1. Basis of evaluation Read Chapter One
overview of course 2. Role of evaluation Investment book
3. Asset classes
II:11/1 Valuation 1. Basics of valuation Read Chapter two
2. Discounted cash flow: Investment book
valuation of equity
3. Discounted cash flow: Reflection and
Valuation of firm Application 1
4. ANPV
III:11/2 Understanding 1. Basics of accounting Chapter Three
Financial Statement 2. Measuring value of assets, Investment book
liability, and equity
3. Profitability and risk of a firm Problems 1

IV;11/3 Analysis of risk 1. Risk and uncertainty Chapter Four

2. Measuring the risk Investment book
3. Diversifiable and non-
diversifiable risk Reflection and
4. Expected return on equity: Problems 2
CAPM, APM, and Pray Model
V: 11/4 Option pricing 1. Basics of option pricing Chapter Five
theory and models 2. Determinants of option value Investment book
3. Binominal model
4. Black and Scholes model Reflection and
application 2
VI: 11/7 Market efficiency 1. Understand market efficiency Chapter 6
theory and 2. Market efficiency and Investment book
application investment valuation
Problems3
VII: 11/8 Risk premium 1. Risk free rate Chapter 7
2. Equity risk premium Investment book
3. Cost of equity Reflection and

2
 4. Cost of capital application 3

VIII: 11/9 Cost of Financing 1. Cost of equity Chapter 8

2. Cost of debt
3. Cost of capital
XI: 11/10 Measuring earnings 1. Accounting vs financial Chapter 9
Over all review of balance sheet Investment book
the course 2. Adjusted earning
Problems 4

X: 11/11 Final Exam

Online Project
Online Project