COURSE NUMBER: MBA 294.7

COURSE TITLE: Investment Management Speakers Series

UNITS OF CREDIT: 1.0

INSTRUCTOR: Sam Olesky

STUDENT ORGANIZERS: Tom Garland

E-MAIL ADDRESSES: tom_garland@mba.berkeley.edu

MEETING DAY(S)/TIME: Tuesdays, 6-8PM, Fall B only

This class will meet on 10/28, 11/4, 11/18, 11/25 and 12/2

PREREQUISITE(S): None

CLASS FORMAT: The class will involve the presentation of investment management guest speakers such as portfolio managers, investment analysts, and CIOs, many with ties to Haas, presenting their investment strategies, discussing current trends and market dynamics, and analyzing the merits/thought process of recent investment decisions.

REQUIRED READINGS: Students should do topical research of each speaker’s background, their firm, and public investments, to facilitate Q&A throughout the session.  Some speakers may also request that students prepare a high-level investment case study in order to facilitate class discussion and debate.

BASIS FOR FINAL GRADE: Attendance in weekly discussions. Students must attend at least six of seven class sessions in order to earn credit for the course.  Participation is also highly encouraged.

ABSTRACT OF COURSE CONTENT AND OBJECTIVES:

The goal of the course is to increase students’ exposure to various investment styles and strategies, and gain direct access to senior-level investors in the industry. Speakers from different sub-segments of the asset management industry will interact with students via lectures and case study discussion to dissect the challenges and issues they face in the market.  Speakers will represent a wide variety of practitioners, from portfolio managers of major mutual fund companies to recent MBA alumni working as investment analysts. 

The current schedule (subject to change) may include the following strategies:

-          Asset allocation and portfolio management

-          Credit investing

-          Equity investing (including long/short strategies)

-          Impact investing

-          Sales & trading in the capital markets

Students will be encouraged to ask questions about highlighted investments, investment rationale, market trends, and any other area of personal interest in this exciting and fast-pace industry.