Mutual Fund and Venture Capital

This course focuses on an in depth study at a non-bank intermediary where investors can buy special portfolios of securities. The courses begin with an overview of financial intermediaries and then focus at the mutual fund which is an example of a non-depository intermediary. It also deals with topics like SEC Regulations on investment companies like mutual funds: open-end mutual funds as distinguished from closed-end mutual funds, and investment portfolios. It also provides the students adequate knowledge on the three advantages of mutual funds namely: diversification, liquidity and transaction cost advantage. The course surveys the private equity industry, with an emphasis on financial economic tools useful for leveraged buyout and venture capital investing. The main goal of the course is to equip students with financial background to start a career as a private equity investor. The course is divided equally between lectures and cases, with written assignments by student-formed teams required for about a third of the class meetings.