Alternative Investments
Overview
This unit introduces students to alternative investments as a distinct asset class. Students learn about the characteristics, risk-return assessment, required technology and strategies of alternative investments. Using actual examples from superannuation and sovereign wealth funds students will learn to analyse the use of alternatives as an asset class through an investigation of event-driven, convergence and market-neutral strategies, property, infrastructure, futures, commodities and venture capital. Students will learn the importance of information disclosure, investment performance analysis and the additional due diligence required prior to allocating capital. The ethical concerns for both fund managers and investors will also be explored.
Requisites
01-June-2025
08-June-2025
02-November-2025
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Identify the potential users of alternative investment strategies
- Evaluate alternative investment strategies by considering risks and returns assessments and performance measures
- Apply due diligence in asset allocation and evaluate its importance while resolving ethical issues in alternative investment strategies
- Evaluate and apply technological solutions and tools to investment analysis
- Work collaboratively as a member of a group
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| On Campus Class |
1.00 | 12 weeks | 12 |
| Online Lecture (asynchronous) |
1.00 | 12 weeks | 12 |
| Unspecified Activities Independent Learning |
9.50 | 12 weeks | 114 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Swinburne Online
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning | 12.50 | 12 weeks | 150 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Individual | 30 - 40% | 1,2,3,4 |
| Examination | Individual | 40 - 60% | 1,2,3,4 |
| Presentation | Group | 10 - 20% | 1,2,3,4,5 |
Content
- The need for due diligence in alternative asset classes
- Real assets: property and infrastructure
- Hedge funds
- Managed futures
- Commodities and their strategies
- Venture capital and private equity
- Asset allocation and institutional investors
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.