Introduction

The course will give a basic understanding of the main concepts of the financial derivatives. It will explain the mechanics of the derivatives, their economic rationale and the methodology used for their valuation. You will learn about futures, forwards, options and swaps, and their combinations.

Course Description

The course is one of the core courses for the Financial Engineering (FE) program.

Pedagogy: The course will consist of lectures, in-class exercises, homework and a project.

Prerequisite:

Basic concepts of probability and statistics, calculus. Knowledge of a programming language (Python or Excel are preferred).

Course Outcomes

The course will give an introduction to financial markets, products and their valuation and hedging. The course introduces the main concepts of the equity, FX, interest rates markets, and describes the financial products and derivatives commonly traded, their risks and hedging.

Learning Goals:

1. The course will introduce the concepts of the yield curve, credit risk, exchange rates and will describe the main financial contracts traded in the markets.
2. You will understand how to price the derivatives, using risk-neutral pricing, and how to compute their sensitivities to changes of the market factors.
3. You will know how to measure the risks of a derivative or a portfolio of derivatives, using Value at Risk and Expected Shortfall.
4. You will understand how to hedge the risks of a derivative or of a portfolio of derivatives.

Textbook

John Hull, Options, Futures and Other Derivatives. 10th Edition, Pearson.

Additional References

Sections from the required text, as indicated for each class.

Additional Readings: Additional readings will be provided, as needed.

Grading Policies

Assignments: Assignments will be provided throughout the semester, consisting of problems related to the material taught in the lectures. They are to be handed in on time. No late assignments, without prior approval, will be accepted. There is a project for the course and a final exam. The total grade is a weighted average of the attendance, assignments, project and final exam.

Participation (this is automatic for WS students) - 5%

Assignments - 35%

Project - 30%

Final Exam - 30%

Preliminary Grading Scheme:

A : 93%-100%

A- : 90%-93%

B+ : 87%-90%

B : 83%-87%

B- : 80%-83%

C+ : 77%-80%

C : 73%-77%

C- : 70%-73%

D+ : 67%-70%

D : 65%-67%

F : 0%-65%

This grading scheme is subject to change based on student outcomes. It may be curved more leniently. It will not be made more difficult.