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

4.8
stars
856 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

AC

Dec 12, 2016

Excellent class! Very useful information for investing. Great faculty focus sessions with UIUC researchers!. Also love the passion that Dr. Weisbenner displays in teaching. Would highly recommend!

MN

Dec 11, 2020

Very good introduction of some comedy compared to Investments I. The early review of fundamentals and in-depth discussion and teachings about investment topics were much appreciated.

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26 - 50 of 169 Reviews for Investments II: Lessons and Applications for Investors

By Georgios A L

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Apr 14, 2021

Great course !! It is amazing how passionate Professor Scott is about teaching and generally Investments. I am very glad that I have taken this course and surely it is only the beginning in the Investments world. Thank you

By Anirudh K

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Nov 25, 2018

Excellent course. Professor Scott is very knowledgeable and his expertise is reflected in the way he is able to distill down complex concepts into an intuitive level of understanding. Highly recommend the specialization!

By Adrian S

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Feb 20, 2020

This course was a great balancing fun part with real and serious knowledge. Congratulation to Scott (prof. Weisbenner) for the great preparation of this course. I wish all course will match excellence of this course.

By Pablo B

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Dec 16, 2019

Best investment course I've taken to capture critical areas to consider in a portfolio. Concepts are also transferable to the corporate finance as it is useful to understand areas to consider in business decisions.

By Marcelo o

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Apr 25, 2021

MELHOR CURSO QUE TIVE NA COURSERA, INCRÍVEL A DIDÁTICA DO PROFESSOR E EXTREMAMENTE QUALIFICADO. ESPERO QUE PRODUZA MAIS CURSOS PARA O COURSERA. DESEJO TODO SUCESSO DO MUNDO, E AGRADEÇO O CONHECIMENTO PASSADO.

By Jacques P

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Nov 8, 2017

Scott Weisbenner is excellent in presenting mundane theory in a fun and interesting manner that sticks in your mind. Highly recommend this course for anyone who wants to know more about the financial industry

By Natalia S

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Aug 4, 2017

The prof Scott Weisbenner gives us great value with this course. It's so interesting and useful. All information provided helps me a lot in my choice where and in what to invest. Thank you prof Weisbenner!!!!

By Andrew C

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Dec 13, 2016

Excellent class! Very useful information for investing. Great faculty focus sessions with UIUC researchers!. Also love the passion that Dr. Weisbenner displays in teaching. Would highly recommend!

By Michael N

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Dec 12, 2020

Very good introduction of some comedy compared to Investments I. The early review of fundamentals and in-depth discussion and teachings about investment topics were much appreciated.

By Raj B

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Dec 7, 2017

I could have known this course before 2009 recession to be a better investor and its great teaching of behavioral finance . This helped me to identify personal bias in investing .

By Ouatatchin K

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Jan 18, 2017

Wow!!! an excellent and very detailed course with a great teacher Scott Weisbenner who really masters the topics added to a unique sense of humour. I definitely recommend it!

By Johan P

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Apr 3, 2021

I am very thankful for the opportunity to join with you this excelent course because of diferents resources and instersting subjects widely explained by Prof. Scott.

By Karen F L

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Dec 7, 2017

Professor Weisbenner is amazing! Insanely smart, yet delvers complex concepts in such a manner you would never realize it. This is a must take class for investments!

By David H

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Mar 12, 2018

Professor Weisbenner is phenomenal! The course material is accessible, very well presented, highly informative, and can be applied for the rest of your life.

By Huyen N

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Sep 23, 2023

This is such an informative and useful course. Really appreciate Scott's style of teaching and sense of humour. I learned a lot from the course, thank you!!

By Joseph A

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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.

By Marcelo G L

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Sep 22, 2017

The course have a great variety of examples very well explained. Professor Scott is an excellent teacher with a deep knowledge of investments.

By Muzamil H M H C

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Jun 15, 2020

it was an excellent course. Professor Scott Weisbenner has a unique and an interactive style of teaching. I thoroughly enjoyed this course

By Sejal S

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May 9, 2020

Thanks Scott! Outstanding course with the research work papers analysis, animations and the fun made it easier for the longer lectures !

By GOR B

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Feb 6, 2020

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

By Muhammad S K

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Nov 29, 2017

Absolutely loved the course. Scott is an amazing teacher! I really appreciate all the effort that went into producing this course.

By Tobias B

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Oct 31, 2021

Great sequel to the Investment I course, and dives into a lot of interesting finance research. Great course, and very engaging.

By Jeff M

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Nov 8, 2017

Excellent content. Will change the way you view mutual funds and 401K investment options. Great job and funny lectures too.

By Wolfgang K

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Mar 22, 2021

Great course with excellent, relevant content and entertaining presentation. Whish there were more like this in the series.

By Trung N P

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Mar 21, 2017

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