THE SITUATION: You are a Research Analyst working for a top portfolio management firm, "UMUC Portfolio Management" (in no way affiliated with the University of Maryland University College). A high-net-worth client has approached your firm with the objective of finding an analyst qualified to manage their large portfolio. Your firm has selected several of its analysts to develop test portfolios in order identify the best person to manage the portfolio of this rich client. You have been selected by your firm to develop a 5-week trial portfolio to present to the client (and class). Because of the importance of this client (and their potentially large investment) your fee for demonstrating superior portfolio selection and management skill will be substantial. The analyst with the best report will become the portfolio manager for this high-net-worth client's portfolio (valued at over $100 million). Your portfolio management report and presentation will be submitted directly to your firm's high-net-worth client with the approval of your firm's Board of Directors. The success of your recommendations will determine the success of your firm in landing this large investor. (It is expected that your portfolio recommendations will not be the same as those reached by other analysts). You should do a market wide financial evaluation to determine the current situation, best investment course, appropriate asset allocation for this important client.
STEP ONE: The wealthy investor is interested in earning a high rate of return and therefore is willing to take short-term substantial risk with a $100,000 Portfolio. This client wants high risk securities but to reduce risk and provide diversification wants to hold a small portfolio of 5 investments. Your assignment is to buy five (5) high-risk securities using UMUC's broker, CBOE Virtual Trade (note that in the event that this website is unavailable you can collect your stock price data from other sources).
• After you determine your initial portfolio you must buy the portfolio using CBOE Virtual Trade Tool (http://www.cboe.com/tradtool/virtualtrade.aspx). The commission costs per trade (using CBOE Virtual Trade) are $9.95/trade for stocks and ETFs and $14.95/trade for options.
• The securities you select for your portfolio can be selected from any traded securities that are available on CBOE Virtual Trading. (Exception! you may not invest in mutual funds or the S&P 500 market index)
STEP TWO: The assignment for the first week is to develop an investment policy statement to guide the portfolio construction and asset management