Course Overview
This advanced topics course covers the myriad ways in which corporations and financial institutions use sophisticated financial structures and derivatives in order to maximize the value of their balance sheets. In this “hybrid” course, advanced topics in corporate finance and capital markets will be taught in a synergistic manner, focusing on issues that arise at the confluence of these two areas. A knowledge of basic finance (i.e., CAPM, capital structure, payout policy and some knowledge of the stock and bond markets) is assumed. Financial cost reduction, management of incentive problems and risk management will be covered in some detail. The course focuses on the use of specialized securities and options techniques on both asset and liability sides of the balance sheet, and covers a range of firms, institutions and markets.