FM445 Half Unit
Portfolio Management
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Course Convenor
Dr Michela Verardo
Dr Francesco Nicolai
Availability
This course is available on the Global MSc in Management, MSc in Accounting and Finance, MSc in Econometrics and Mathematical Economics, MSc in Economics and Management, MSc in Finance and Risk, MSc in Financial Mathematics and MSc in Operations Research & Analytics. This course is not available as an outside option to students on other programmes. This course uses controlled access as part of the course selection process.
All students on a programme listed under the Course Availability will be given a place. This course is closed to outside students and does not permit auditing students.
Please contact finance.teachingmanager@lse.ac.uk with any queries.
Global MSc in Management ('Accounting and Finance' and 'Finance' concentrations only).
This course is available to other students from the Departments of Economics, Mathematics, and Statistics where regulations permit. This course is not available as an outside option.
This course is not capped, any eligible student that requests a place will be given one.
Course content
This course covers a wide range of topics in equity portfolio management. Some of the topics covered in the course include: Portfolio optimization techniques; Dynamic investment strategies; Portfolio performance measurement and attribution; Style analysis; Mutual funds and Hedge funds; Trading costs and liquidity risk. The course is based on various empirical studies, and on a number of applied exercises using financial data.
Teaching
30 hours of seminars in the Winter Term.
This course is taught in the interactive lecturing format. There is no distinction between lectures and classes/seminars; there are “sessions” only, and the pedagogical approach in each session is interactive.
Formative assessment
Students will be expected to complete coursework regularly.
Indicative reading
A study pack will include lecture notes and case studies. All relevant articles will be made available during the course. Useful references are: Investments, by Z. Bodie, A. Kane, and A. Marcus, McGraw-Hill Irwin; Modern portfolio theory and investment analysis, by E. J. Elton, M. J.Gruber, S. J. Brown, and W. N. Goetzmann, Wiley Press; Modern investment management, by Bob Litterman and the Quantitative Resource Group, GSAM, Wiley Press.
Assessment
Exam (70%), duration: 120 Minutes, reading time: 10 minutes in the Spring exam period
Continuous assessment (30%)
Key facts
Department: Finance
Course Study Period: Winter Term
Unit value: Half unit
FHEQ Level: Level 7
CEFR Level: Null
Total students 2024/25: 100
Average class size 2024/25: 50
Controlled access 2024/25: NoCourse selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Personal development skills
- Problem solving
- Application of numeracy skills
- Commercial awareness