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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Investments II: Lessons and Applications for Investors by University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

4.8
stars
879 ratings

About the Course

In this course, you will start by reviewing the fundamentals of investments, including the trading off of return and risk when forming a portfolio, asset pricing models such as the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) and the 3-Factor Model, and the efficient market hypothesis. You will be introduced to the two components of stock returns – dividends and capital gains – and will learn how each are taxed and the incentives provided to investors from a realization-based capital gains tax. You will examine the investment decisions (and behavioral biases) of participants in defined-contribution (DC) pension plans like 401(k) plans in the U.S. and will learn about the evidence regarding the performance of individual investors in their stock portfolios. The course concludes by discussing the evidence regarding the performance of actively-managed mutual funds. You will learn about the fees charged to investors by mutual funds and the evidence regarding the relation between fees charged and fund performance. Segments of the portfolios of mutual funds that may be more likely to outperform and examples of strategies designed to “earn alpha” will also be introduced. Learners are welcome to take this course even if they have not completed "Investments I: Fundamentals of Performance Evaluation," as the first module contain a review of investment fundamentals and regression analysis to get everyone up to speed. Also, the course contains several innovative features, including creative out-of-the-studio introductions followed by quick-hitting "Module in 60" countdowns that highlight what will be covered in each module, four "Faculty Focus" interview episodes with leading professors in finance, and a summary of each module done with the help of animations! The over-arching goals of this course are to provide a review of the fundamentals of investments and then assess the historical performance of several groups of investors, with an emphasis on research findings with clear real-world applications. Specifically, upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to: • Interpret and use the CAPM and the 3-Factor Model to evaluate the performance of investments • Compare returns in the form of dividends and capital gains and their tax consequences • Describe evidence regarding the performance of individuals’ stock investments • Understand key behavioral biases of investors and their effects on financial decisions • Describe evidence regarding the performance of actively-managed mutual funds • Evaluate strategies designed to “earn alpha” This course is part of the iMBA offered by the University of Illinois, a flexible, fully-accredited online MBA at an incredibly competitive price. For more information, please see the Resource page in this course and onlinemba.illinois.edu....

Top reviews

GB

Feb 5, 2020

Excellent course. Dr. Weisbenner truly cares for the course. This was one of the best online courses I have taken. Well prepared course.

TP

Mar 21, 2017

Thank you, Professor Scott Weisbenner, for an excellence course that you put your heart and passion (for Star Wars) into.

Filter by:

51 - 75 of 173 Reviews for Investments II: Lessons and Applications for Investors

By abrahamlc1

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May 10, 2020

Great course! It is clear that it took a lot of time and effort to prepare such quality material. Completely worth it!

By Teri B

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Dec 12, 2020

very helpful in understanding more about do's and don'ts for investing, and what might be worth paying extra for.

By Simon M

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May 31, 2021

That was exceptionally good! Scott provided me with the intuition and the foundation for intelligent investing.

By John Y

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Apr 10, 2021

This course helped me a lot as a retail investor. Maybe I should look at mutual funds instead of stonks now.

By Rajesh J

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Dec 14, 2018

Outstanding course! Highly recommended for all. If anything, the enthusiasm of the professor is infectious.

By Nick N

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Feb 22, 2021

Very Good Course. I never get such think information about stock and finance formulas.

Thank you very much.

By Pierre L

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Dec 9, 2016

Excellent course, as good as the first one, it's nice too see haw it all come to fit together at the end.

By Gemma L Q G

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Mar 14, 2021

Im amazed in this online study. In a short period of time i gained a lot of knowledge about investment..

By ROY L

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Sep 22, 2020

High quality course and a magnificent teacher.

Thank you very much for the chance to learn from all you.

By Delpeche B

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Dec 15, 2020

A superbly insightful course. Worth taking and reviewing over and over until all concepts are mastered

By Shaun M

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Sep 10, 2024

Scott Weisbenner is a great instructor and I am saddened by his passing. This is an amazing module.

By Jackie P

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Dec 15, 2018

Professor Weisbenner works hard to keep this class interesting and I learned A LOT in this course.

By Caio C

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Dec 9, 2020

Very good, just too long. 5 starts still, but would be great to have less length on the videos.

By Linh P

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Jan 16, 2017

Great course with valuable practical application. Thanks for providing us such a great course!

By Irtiza A

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Dec 15, 2020

Excellent course to start with if you are interested in financial analysis and stock martket

By Rohiet R S

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Oct 2, 2018

amazing it would be great if you can make videos based on indian market if students are more

By manuj s

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Nov 20, 2017

Excellent course. Scott puts in a lot of effort to make the course engaging and informative.

By Grant M

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Nov 25, 2018

Goofy, but extremely valuable content. Scott will turn you into an alpha-seeking ROCK STAR.

By Chris M

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Dec 10, 2016

A really great course! 5 stars. The focus is on the application of the concepts.

By Juan F D L

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Jun 11, 2020

Fantastic Course, lots of real life examples and the Faculty Focus its a must.

By Jacqualine O

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Dec 8, 2017

With no financial background, I enjoyed this course and gained a great deal!

By John d l T

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Dec 8, 2016

A 5 star sequel not easy to achieve, brilliant effort again thanks Scott

By Diogo G d M

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Sep 28, 2020

Very interesting course! Professor Scott Weisbenner is really awersome!

By Volodymyr M

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Dec 15, 2018

Thank you Professor and the Team! It was the best course for me so far.

By Li Z

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May 6, 2018

What else can I say, it's just perfect.

Thanks, Professor Weisbenner.