FIN435 • Course Hub Spring 2026

Central hub for FIN435. Reference site from prior class: https://www.jufinance.com/fin435_25s/
Theme:

Course Basics & Projects

Meeting: SIJU137 • TR 12:30–1:45 PM  |  Instructor: Maggie Foley (mfoley3@ju.edu) • DCOBT 118A • Office Hours T/TR 3:30–5:00 PM

Syllabus (On-Page)

Meeting Information

Section: FIN 435 102Z (Spring 2026)

When/Where: TR 12:30–1:45 PM • SIJU137

Instructor: Maggie Foley (mfoley3@ju.edu)

Office: DCOBT 118A

Office Hours: T/TR 3:30–5:00 PM

Required Textbook

Fundamentals of Financial Management (16th ed.)

Brigham & Houston • Cengage Learning (2021)

ISBN-13: 978-0357517574

Purchase options: JU Bookstore Course Finder

Exam Dates (from syllabus)

  • Midterm 1: Tue, 2/24
  • Midterm 2: Thu, 3/25
  • Final + Exit Exam: Tue, 4/28 (11:30–2:00 PM)

See “Exams & Solutions” below for study guides & posted solutions.

Grading & Coursework (official weights) (click to expand)
ComponentWeight
3 Exams55%
Project – 8 case studies15%
Exit Exam10%
Term Project10%
Quiz10%
Extra creditUp to 5 points total

Attendance is checked via the end-of-class quiz.

Weekly Schedule (from syllabus)

▶ Schedule (click to expand)
Date Day Topic Notes
1/13TueSyllabus
1/15ThuChapter 6-1
1/20TueChapter 6-2
1/22ThuCase study of Chapter 6
1/27TueChapter 7-1
1/29ThuChapter 7-2
2/3TueCase Study of Chapter 7
2/5ThuChapter 8-1
2/10TueChapter 8-2
2/12ThuCancelled due to attending AEF conferenceNo class
2/17TueEfficient Frontier Term Project -1
2/19ThuEfficient Frontier Term Project -2
2/24TueFirst Midterm Exam
2/26ThuChapter 9
3/2TueCase study of Chapter 9
3/5ThuChapter 10
3/9TueCase study of Chapter 10, Chapter 11
3/11ThuChapter 11 Case study
3/16–3/20Spring BreakNo classes
3/23TueReview
3/25ThuSecond Midterm Exam
3/30TueChapter 3, and Chapter 3 case study
4/1ThuChapter 12
4/6TueCase study of Chapter 12 (Monte Carlo Analysis)
4/8ThuChapter 19
4/13TueCase study of Chapter 19
4/15ThuChapter 15
4/20TueChapter 21
4/22ThuReview
4/28TueFinal Exam (11:30–2:00 PM) and Exit Exam

Exams & Solutions

First Midterm Exam 2/24

In-class exam. Study guide posted before the exam; solutions posted after.

Study Guide Solution (HTML)

Second Midterm Exam 3/25

In-class exam. Study guide posted before the exam; solutions posted after.

Study Guide Solution (HTML)

Final Exam + Exit Exam 4/28 • 11:30–2:00

Comprehensive. Study guide posted before the exam; solutions posted after.

Study Guide Solution (HTML)

Trading Game Tools (FINVIZ + MarketWatch)

Use these for the class MarketWatch game. Open an app, pick candidates in Finviz, then size the trade properly.

Featured Video

MarketWatch game walkthrough

Short-Only Scanner (App)

Daily shorts with presets, risk tool, checklist.

Open Short App

Long-Only Position Builder (App)

Fundamentals + technical entries, sector mix planner.

Open Long App

MarketWatch Game Website

Create/join your class game (Virtual Stock Exchange).

Open MarketWatch Games

FINVIZ Screener

Run scans, then use the apps above for sizing & diversification.

Open FINVIZ

How to Win the MarketWatch Game

  • Risk 1% per trade (use the app calculator). Journal each trade.
  • Diversify (cap ≈ 25% per sector). Avoid crowding one theme.
  • Entries: Long—buy dips in uptrends; Short—fade weak bounces.
  • News check: Don’t short fresh strong catalysts; ride positive drift on longs.
  • Protect winners: Take partials; trail stops near support/resistance.

Class Game Room

Game - FIN435 Spring 2026 (Live) (password: havefun)

Use the password exactly as shown.

Chapters

Each chapter card links to (1) your chapter website and (2) the slide deck.

Module 1 Market Games (Silver + USD/JPY) 1/15

Enrichment games (same as FIN415).

Silver Game (XAG) USD/JPY Timeline
Silver Price Forecast Game — Student IDs Only (click to expand)

Target date: 4/15/26. Guess the silver spot price ($/oz) on that date. Closest guess earns +5 extra points. Posted as Student ID only (no names). If there is a tie, all tied students receive the extra points.

Student ID Guess ($/oz)
01700
0280
03107
04250
05130
06149
07105
08124
09550
10112
11111
1294
13144
14101
15135
16145
17103
18115
1999
20105
2145
2297
23111
24123
2588

Winner is the closest submission to the posted 4/15/26 spot price.

Chapter 7 Bonds 1/27 • 1/29

Open Chapter 7 Website Slides (PPTX) Quiz (T/F)
Class Notes + Quick Summary (click to expand)

Goal: price bonds correctly, interpret yields, and explain interest-rate risk and credit/call risk.

  • Bond price = PV(coupons) + PV(par) discounted at the required yield (YTM as IRR).
  • Price–yield inverse: yield ↑ ⇒ price ↓; yield ↓ ⇒ price ↑.
  • Premium vs discount: coupon rate > YTM ⇒ premium; coupon rate < YTM ⇒ discount.
  • Current yield = annual coupon ÷ price (income only). YTM includes price pull-to-par + timing.
  • Duration (rate risk): higher duration ⇒ bigger % price move for a given Δy (1st-order sensitivity).
  • Callable bonds: upside is capped when rates fall (call risk; negative convexity region).
  • Risk premiums: Treasuries mainly term/liquidity; corporates add default + liquidity premiums.

Common exam traps: confusing coupon rate vs YTM; treating current yield as “total return”; forgetting call risk limits price gains; assuming higher coupon ⇒ higher duration (often the opposite).

Chapter 8 Stock Valuation

Open Chapter 8 Website Slides (PPTX)

Chapter 9 Risk & Return

Open Chapter 9 Website Slides (PPTX)

Chapter 10 Cost of Capital

Open Chapter 10 Website Slides (PPTX)

Chapter 11 Project Evaluation

Chapter website + slide deck.

Open Chapter 11 Website Slides (PPTX)

Chapter 12 Cash Flow Estimation

Open Chapter 12 Website Slides (PPTX)

Chapter 15 Dividends

Open Chapter 15 Website Slides (PPTX)

Chapter 21 Merger Aquuisition

Open Chapter 21 Website Slides (PPTX)

Chapter 3 Financial Statements

Open Chapter 3 Website Slides (PPTX)