Topic:

Your topic is:

"Alternative Investment Classes and their Role in Investment Portfolios"

You are required to describe, with examples, a selection of seven (7) alternative investments which are generally available on capital and other markets, the expected / realized returns and risks of each, and to consider how they are used in constructing and hedging investment portfolios.

Details of the Assignment requirements, suggested points for detailed examination and penalties for late lodgment are in the Subject Outline.

You are required to complete this essay individually (no groups).

You should follow the following typing conventions:

- Times New Roman font (at minimum , 12 pitch)
- 1.5 line spacing
- Top, bottom, left and right margins to be at least 2.5 cms from the edge of the page; and
- A4 paper.

Research and Referencing

You should begin by studying Chapter 18 of the text-book. This contains at least 5 alternative investment classes.

You will need to discover at least 6 references apart from the text-book. This should include at least one other book and one journal article.

1. Component 1 - ANALYSIS ......

Discussion and understanding of the various types of alternative investment classes available on financial and other markets, a description of their main features, investment returns achieved and / or targeted, risks of each type & an illustrative example of each type.

2. Component 2 - RESEARCH - EXTENT AND APPLICATION

Discussion and detailed understanding of the role of alternative investments in the portfolio construction and management process; reasons for investment in them; extent of research and referencing.

3. Component 3 - RECOMMENDATIONS / CONCLUSIONS

Recommendations for portfolio managers and investors, along with a separate section detailing a summary of your overall conclusions.

4. Component 4.- PRESENTATION

Is expression clear and concise? Any comments on professionalism of presentation, grammar, spelling, use of graphs and tables, and appropriateness of source referencing of report, charts, graphs, etc.

Task Details: Based on the circumstances provided, students will be required to analyse a range of potential solutions, and make recommendations for the most appropriate investment portfolio elements. Students need to apply their own interpretation and judgement to the analysis, based on approved and valid research (see research Requirements below).

Students who simply regurgitate their answers from the textbook or lecture notes risk failing the assignment.

Research Students need to support their analysis with reference from the text and Requirements: minimum of six (6) suitable, reliable, current and academically acceptable sources - check with your tutor if unsure of the validity of sources. Groups seeking Credit or above grades should support their analysis with increased number of reference sources comparable to the grade they are seeking.

Presentation: 2000 + 10% words in short Report format. The word count excludes the cover sheet, contents page, references, appendices, and illustrations (e.g. diagrams, graphs and tables).

Students need to stay within the assigned word limits, and indicate the word count on the cover passe of the assignment. Marks will be reduced for assignments shorter than or greater than the minimum word count.

Every page should be clearly numbered.

(a) A title / cover page, which indicates basic information such as Subject title, Subject code, Trimester number, Assignment title, your full name and KOI student number, word count & Lecturer's name.

(b) A Lecturer's Marks and Comments Page - see Assignment topic advice in Week 3 (see Moodie).

(c) Executive Summary

(d) Table of Contents

(e) Body (main contents)

- Introduction,
- Analysis - this will be the major part of your Assignment and may require a number of numbered sub-sections,
- Recommendations - if any, and
- Conclusion(s).

NOTE: Separate sections are required for each of the above "main contents" segments.

(f) Appendices (if any).

(g) References (using Harvard - Anglia style)

PLZ FOLLOW ALL THE ATTACHED INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY

AND You are required to describe, with examples, a selection of seven (7) alternative investments which are generally available on capital and other markets, the expected / realized returns and risks of each, and to consider how they are used in constructing and hedging investment portfolios.