TOOLS & TECHNIQUES OF INVESTMENT PLANNING

2^nd Edition

Course Synopsis

This course builds upon the introductory module, Tools & Techniques of Financial Planning, and is an integral part of a six-course presentation comprising a  CFP® Professional Education Program. It is presented in NUC’s   consistent two-part sequence.  The “Tools of Investment Planning” discusses, in-depth, investment instruments that include Government Securities, corporate and municipal  bonds,  equity holdings in common and preferred stocks, options, mutual and exchange-traded funds, as well as direct and indirect real estate holdings, commodity products, and asset-backed securities.

     The second half, “Techniques of Investment Planning,” draws together the important topical concepts of investment risk, modern portfolio theory, performance measurement, asset valuation, fundamental and technical analysis, portfolio construction, hedging and option strategies and the effect of taxation on these strategies in taxable and non-taxable accounts.  Particular attention should be paid to the time value of money concepts discussed at length in Chapter 32, and the application of those concepts as illustrated in Chapter 33, “Measuring Investment Returns.”   Without a thorough understanding of the relationships that exist among present value,  future value, and interest rate calculations, the financial planner  will soon find how lacking is his analysis of client-based objectives.  

   Lastly, both instructor and student should appreciate the familiar  format that is consistent throughout all 45 chapters.  The subtopic headings listing “Advantages and Disadvantages,” to the “Where Can I Find More About It” section  at the conclusion, help to facilitate cross reference review and thus provide a better understanding of the course’s practical as well as theoretical concepts.