Trident FIN301 2019 January All Modules Discussion Latest

FIN301 Principles of Finance

Module 1 Discussion

Silly Finance Videos/Discussion

Let’s start off this discussion on a light-hearted note. Finance is a dry and serious topic for most of you. So as an initial challenge, find a video on YouTube that illustrates some financial concepts from this module in a silly or entertaining manner. I’ll start off with a very old cartoon video that explains the financial world:

The Film Archives. (1957). The stock market explained simply: Finance and investing basics. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgM68Yf-C0Q&t=140s

See if you can find something even sillier. But remember the video still should have some educational value in terms of explaining some concepts for this class. You can also choose to find a silly video on how to use Microsoft Excel, as this is another tool you will use in this class.

Finally, before the end of the module, post the four stocks you chose for your SLP and the current stock prices of these companies. We will be having a contest to see whose imaginary portfolio performs the best this session, so let’s see where everyone is starting at with their imaginary $20,000 portfolio.

 

FIN301 Principles of Finance

Module 2 Discussion

Microsoft Excel videos/Discussion

For the Module 1 discussion, you looked at some goofy videos on finance.  Now that we are in Module 2 and doing some more serious calculations, find some videos on Microsoft Excel that you find useful and provide some easy-to-follow instructions.  If you are new to Excel, find some videos that help you get started with basics such as entering data and creating formulas.  If you had some experience with Excel prior to this class, then find some videos on some Excel’s more advanced present value functions such as PV or NPV.  Note you do not need to use the PV or NPV functions for this module, but they might come in handy for Module 4.  Share the video link with your classmates, and give a brief overview of what the video covers and what you found useful about it.  In addition to posting your own video, take a look at a couple of videos that your classmates post and give your own review of these videos.

Note that while Excel is most famous as a finance tool, it is also used in many other areas of management. For example, a human resource department might use Excel to keep track of payroll.  If you have already used Excel in your workplace, share your experiences with how you used it.  If you have not yet used Excel in your workplace, discuss whether or not you might use it in the future.

Finally, at the end of each module, give an update on the stock price changes for the four companies that you are writing about for your SLP.  How much is your initial $20,000 worth now?

 

 

 

FIN301 Principles of Finance

Module 3 Discussion

Trendy IPOs/Discussion

  When it comes to new companies that begin to sell shares on the stock market, hype can be just as much of a factor as the actual potential of the company.  The first time a company issues stock to be purchased by the public, it is called an initial public offering (IPO).  Snapchat was heavily hyped when it went through its first IPO, but they were not as successful as they hoped.  Upcoming IPOs that some investors are eagerly waiting for include Airbnb, Spotify, Uber, Pinterest, SpaceX, and Dropbox.

Do you think any of these companies will live up to the hype? Or do you think if you invest in them you will become a “fashion victim” and lose money from following trends and hype? Give your analysis based both on what you have seen in the news about any of these companies as well as any personal experience you might have had with use of their services.

Also, remember to post an update on the value of your four companies that you are researching for your SLP. What is the current value of the $20,000 that you initially invested based on stock prices for this module?

 

FIN301 Principles of Finance

Module 4 Discussion

Retailer Dead Pool/Discussion

Because of competition from Amazon and other online retailers, brick and mortar retailers have been struggling. In addition to increased competition, many retailers have large amounts of debt, which puts them at risk of bankruptcy. Some, such as American Apparel, have already filed for bankruptcy and closed all their stores, and many others are struggling and close to bankruptcy. Here is one article on retailers that are in trouble; but there are probably even more recent cases:

Timmerman, M. (2017). Retail alert: This major electronics retailer is closing more than 1,000 stores. Cox Media Group. Retrieved from: http://clark.com/shopping-retail/major-retailers-closing-2017/

If you and your coworkers or classmates got together to bet on a “dead pool” of which retailer will go bankrupt soon, which retail chain would you bet would be the next to fall? Base your guess on what you have read in the news, or what you have personally observed in terms of a retail shop being empty when you go there or having prices too high to compete with Amazon.

Finally, in the second week of the module, make sure to post an update on your stock portfolio. How much are your four stocks worth now? What is your gain or loss for each stock?

 

 

 

 

FIN301 Principles of Finance

Module 4 Reflection Discussion

Has this class changed how you view investments and financial management?  Are there any concepts from the class that you will use for your career?  Are there any concepts that you will use for your own personal investment or money management strategies?