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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

JA

Dec 11, 2016

so much dedication to the material here - you will be deluged with data, studies, and conclusions that will in the end make you a better investor.

TP

Mar 21, 2017

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

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76 - 100 of 173 Reviews for Investments II: Lessons and Applications for Investors

By Ehiedu B f

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Jan 18, 2022

Nice course and professor Scott made it easy for undeunderstanding.

By Mark D

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Dec 10, 2016

Great class. Interesting and entertaining. I highly recommend it.

By Ivan D

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Nov 1, 2019

Thanks a lot for sharing valuable features in an investment world!

By Lixia L

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Oct 13, 2020

Very good course, especially like the Faculty Focus part.

By Eric K

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Dec 12, 2016

Very dedicated professor whose efforts are very apparent.

By DINESH K Y

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May 12, 2021

It was great to learn so many things about investment

By Vinicio D S

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May 26, 2020

Fantastic course to understand benchmarks and returns

By José E G B

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Apr 9, 2018

This is a very good course, the aproach is superb.

By Ensar K

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Sep 12, 2019

one of the best course in this field on coursera.

By Dr. R S

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Aug 6, 2020

Good knowledge and understanding of investment

By Venkat T

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Dec 3, 2020

This course is very informative and engaging.

By Ahmed Q

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Apr 25, 2020

Great research material that has been taught

By Christopher G

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May 2, 2020

Great information and helpful for everyone.

By Akhouri P

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Jul 22, 2022

Really interesting and enlightning course.

By Mohammad A H S

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Sep 15, 2020

Excellent resources and fabulous Professor

By Andre L S F

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Sep 21, 2019

Best course on Coursera I have ever done!

By Noah M S

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Dec 19, 2018

Great course. Great professor. Top notch!

By Gracelyn W

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Apr 26, 2019

This platform is a positive challenge

By ker c c

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Dec 10, 2018

Excellent Teacher and Course Materials!

By Fang S

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May 27, 2018

really learned a lot from this section.

By Antoine C

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Jan 23, 2018

Awesome! Well built and well executed!

By jonathan f

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Dec 4, 2017

excellent professor and great material

By AISSEGBE C J

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Nov 26, 2016

super compréhensible ...Merci au prof

By Kenny S

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Dec 19, 2018

A MUST TAKE class.!! Enroll & Enjoy

By Tom J

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Dec 3, 2018

one of the best courses at Coursera.