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

4.8
stars
879 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

TP

Mar 22, 2017

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

AC

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!

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126 - 150 of 173 Reviews for Investments II: Lessons and Applications for Investors

By Ponciano R

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Feb 12, 2019

Fantastic course!

By Manuel I

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Dec 5, 2020

Awesome Course!!

By Fotios S

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Nov 16, 2020

Terrific course.

By MANULA N K .

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Mar 14, 2025

it is so great!

By Anchal D

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Nov 17, 2022

good and inform

By Abdul K O

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Mar 6, 2019

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By Miguel V

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Apr 23, 2019

Great course!

By Ricardo A G O

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Apr 12, 2021

Great course

By Maddy M

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Dec 10, 2020

great class!

By Carlos R P G

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Jan 3, 2020

Enlightening

By YEN J C

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Dec 2, 2019

great course

By Mohammad R

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Dec 11, 2018

Great Course

By Chris B

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Jun 7, 2017

Great Course

By Sai P V

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Dec 8, 2016

Excellent!!!

By Apurva A

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Nov 23, 2021

good course

By soumya s

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Jul 6, 2018

good course

By Palito J E

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Jul 15, 2020

very good!

By Mohamad J M

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Feb 19, 2019

Excellent!

By PRIYADARSHINI G

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May 8, 2020

excellent

By Surya B

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Dec 15, 2019

Excellent

By KRISHNANSHU S

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Sep 14, 2021

Awesome

By Ihtesham A A

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Sep 9, 2017

Classic.

By Mr. A L (

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Oct 28, 2020

thank

By 037_SOUMYADEEP P

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Aug 17, 2025

good