COMPUTATIONAL FINANCE

Nicola Borri

Instructional goals

This class will provide an advanced analysis of computational methods in finance and applications to investment strategies.

Prerequisites

Basic coding (any language). Basic math, statistics, and probability

Intended learning outcomes

Students are expected to learn state-of-the-art asset pricing models and understand the relationship between risk-return. The focus of the class is applied and students will use Matlab/Python for applications.

Course Contents

This class will cover the following topics: 1) Introduction to financial time-series 2) CAPM and Basic portfolio theory and practice 4) Market liquidity and liquidity strategies 5) Investment strategies for equities, bonds and currencies 6) Investing in the cryptocurrency

Reference Books

Python for Finance by Yves Hilpisch and material supplied by the instructor (including, papers, lecture notes and slides).

Teaching Methods

In class lectures, assignments, in-class tutorials, investment games

Assessment Method

Problem sets, class discussions, writing a paper, midterm and final exams

Thesis assignment criteria

The criteria established by the Director of the LM in Finance as well as those stated by the Department of Economics and Finance.

Week 1

Introduction and stylized data, Bloomberg tour

Week 2

Review of finance notation, probability and statistics, matrix algebra

Week 3

Asset classes and financial instruments

Week 4

Utility based asset pricing models: theory and evidence

Week 5

Utility based asset pricing models: theory and evidence

Week 6

Utility based asset pricing models: theory and evidence

Week 7

Utility based asset pricing models: theory and evidence

Week 8

Expected Returns in the Time Series and in the Cross-Section

Week 9

Expected Returns in the Time Series and in the Cross-Section

Week 10

Factor models and investment strategies

Week 11

Cryptocurrency Finance

Week 12

Liquidity