BAFI3280 Financial Instruments and Technology Assessment 3 Brief | RMIT University

BAFI3280 Overview

In this assessment, you are required to conduct an analysis of a few asset' classes. Through the case analysis, you are required to answer the following questions:

1: Performance Estimation

• Calculate the expected annual return and standard deviation for each asset class over both the short-medium term (2 or 3 years) and the long term (5 or 6 years).
• Provide a concise analysis of the differences in returns across the asset classes, incorporating ethical considerations in your evaluation. 
• Analyse how interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve since March 2022, alongside geopolitical risks and inflation, influence the performance outlook of each asset class. Support your analysis with empirical evidence. 

2: Asset Selection

• Identify and justify the asset classes you would include in your portfolio, ensuring to consider ethical implications in your selection process. 
• Clearly explain the rationale behind your asset class choices, detailing why certain classes were selected over others, with reference to ethical practices. 
• Develop a proposed portfolio and calculate its expected return and risk measures, incorporating ethical considerations and empirical examples to substantiate your decisions. 

You are required to provide empirical examples to support your arguments and justifications.

BAFI3280 Assessment criteria 

This assessment will measure your ability to:

• Examine, compare, and assess return, risk and other relevant characteristics of different asset classes (10%). 
• Assess the risk and benefits of each asset class with supporting empirical evidence (10%). 
• Propose and measure the risk and performance of a portfolio that includes selected investment options (10%). 
• Research and reference relevant report and literature; use appropriate language, grammar as well as report structure (5%)

Course learning outcomes of BAFI3280:

This assessment is relevant to the following course learning outcomes: 

• CLO1 - Identify the nature and key components of financial systems domestically and globally to apply in diverse contexts. 
• CLO2 - Analyse the characteristics and functions of the main financial intermediaries operating in financial systems in a global context. 
• CLO3 - Understand the roles of financial markets and the recent developments of financial technology. 
• CLO4 - Identify the application of technology in financial services and wealth management.