FIN 3618 Financial Econometrics

FIN 3618 Financial Econometrics

Course code: 
FIN 3618
Department: 
Finance
Credits: 
7.5
Course coordinator: 
Patrick Konermann
Course name in Norwegian: 
Finansiell økonometri
Product category: 
Bachelor
Portfolio: 
Bachelor of Finance - Programme Courses
Semester: 
2019 Autumn
Active status: 
Active
Level of study: 
Bachelor
Teaching language: 
English
Course type: 
One semester
Introduction

Financial Econometrics can be understood as the application of statistical techniques using a digital tool (the software R) to answer questions in Finance. Therefore, Financial Econometrics can be used to test theories in Finance. As such, it is supports financial decision-making.

Learning outcomes - Knowledge

During the course students should develop knowledge of:

  • The concept of regression analysis using Ordinary Least Squares (OLS).
  • Statistical inference within the regression model.
  • How violations of the classical assumptions underlying OLS affect the regression model.
Learning outcomes - Skills

Upon completion of the course the students should be able to:

  • Estimate regression models using OLS.
  • Make statistical inference (hypothesis testing and/or confidence intervals) on the parameter estimates of the model.
  • Perform the various tests of the classical assumptions underlying OLS.

Moreover, the course provides students with the necessary skills to extract data digitally from Wharton Research Data Services (WRDS). The students will learn how to import the data into MATLAB, run econometric analyses, and produce tables or graphs summarizing their results which they then have to interpret using their knowledge about statistical techniques. To take advantage of the digital platform MATLAB, this course provides students with ample training to solve challenging problems in a digital way, e.g., using international stock return data.

General Competence

In the course there will be focus on the assumptions underlying the different theories and methods covered. Hence, it is expected that students will have a critical attitude towards the realism of these. Upon completion of the course, the students should have a good understanding of the practical applicability of the theories and methods covered.

Course content

Introduction

  • What is Financial Econometrics about?
  • Types of data
  • Returns in financial modelling
  • Steps involved in formulating an econometric model

Mathematical and statistical foundations

  • Sum and product notation
  • Functions
  • Differential calculus
  • Matrices
  • Probability and probability distributions
  • Descriptive statistics

The classical linear regression model (CLRM)

  • Regression versus correlation
  • Simple regression
  • Some further terminology
  • The assumptions underlying the CLRM
  • Properties of the OLS etsimator
  • Precision and standard errors
  • Statistical inference
  • The exact significance level

Further development and analysis of the CLRM

  • From simple to multiple linear regression
  • Calculating the parameters in the generalized case
  • The t-statistic
  • Testing multiple hypothesis: the F-test
  • Goodness of fit statistics

CLRM assumptions and the diagnostic tests

  • Statistical distributions for diagnostic tests
  • Assumption 1: Errors have zero mean
  • Assumption 2: Errors have constant variance
  • Assumption 3: Errors are linearly independent from each over time 
  • Assumption 4: Errors are linearly independent from x-variables at the same point in time
  • Assumption 5: Errors are normally distributed
  • Multicollinearity
  • Adopting the wrong functional form
  • Parameter stability tests
Teaching and learning activities

The course elements include lectures and two assignments. A class will typically start with a review of the last class.During the lectures, we will introduce new econometric techniques and discuss their practical application in MATLAB. To strengthen the students' understanding of these concepts, the students have to submit two assignments (group work). In these, they download the data themselves from a database (e.g., WRDS), import the data into MATLAB, implement the econometric analyses in MATLAB, and summarize their results in tables or graphs. Here, strong emphasis will be placed on the statistical and economic interpretations of the results. 

If a student misses a class, it is her/his responsibility to obtain any information provided in class that is not included on the course homepage/itslearning or in the text book.

This is a course with continuous assessment (several exam components) and one final exam code. Each exam component is graded by using points on a scale from 0-100. The components will be weighted together according to the information in the course description in order to calculate the final letter grade for the examination code (course). Students who fail to participate in one/some/all exam elements will get a lower grade or may fail the course. You will find detailed information about the point system and the cut off points with reference to the letter grades when the course start.

At re-sit all exam components must, as a main rule, be retaken during next scheduled course.

Software tools
Matlab
R
Additional information

.

Qualifications

Higher Education Entrance Qualification.

Required prerequisite knowledge

MET 2910 Mathematics and MET 2920 Statistics or equivalent.

Assessments
Assessments
Exam category: 
Submission
Form of assessment: 
Written submission
Weight: 
20
Grouping: 
Group/Individual (1 - 5)
Duration: 
1 Week(s)
Comment: 
Assignment 1
Exam code: 
FIN36181
Grading scale: 
Point scale leading to ECTS letter grade
Resit: 
All components must, as a main rule, be retaken during next scheduled course
Exam category: 
Submission
Form of assessment: 
Written submission
Weight: 
20
Grouping: 
Group/Individual (1 - 5)
Duration: 
1 Week(s)
Comment: 
Assignment 2
Exam code: 
FIN36181
Grading scale: 
Point scale leading to ECTS letter grade
Resit: 
All components must, as a main rule, be retaken during next scheduled course
Exam category: 
Submission
Form of assessment: 
Written submission
Invigilation
Weight: 
60
Grouping: 
Individual
Support materials: 
  • BI-approved exam calculator
  • Simple calculator
  • Bilingual dictionary
Duration: 
2 Hour(s)
Comment: 
Final written examination with supervision
Exam code: 
FIN36181
Grading scale: 
Point scale leading to ECTS letter grade
Resit: 
All components must, as a main rule, be retaken during next scheduled course
Type of Assessment: 
Continuous assessment
Grading scale: 
ECTS
Total weight: 
100
Student workload
ActivityDurationComment
Teaching
42 Hour(s)
Prepare for teaching
110 Hour(s)
Submission(s)
30 Hour(s)
Student's own work with learning resources
18 Hour(s)
Sum workload: 
200

A course of 1 ECTS credit corresponds to a workload of 26-30 hours. Therefore a course of 7,5 ECTS credit corresponds to a workload of at least 200 hours.