Training Course

Alternative investments - a training day

Introduction

We will examine the characteristics of each asset class and how investment in alternatives can enhance portfolios’ risk and return characteristics. The focus will be on the main alternative asset classes; property, private equity, hedge funds and commodities and we will examine data from a UK perspective, but within an international context. The seminar will be taught by Jane Vessey, ASIM’s training consultant, who provides training to financial institutions on a range of investment topics in addition to lecturing at various business schools.

Who should attend?

This one-day course will be of benefit to those who are either advising clients on alternative investments or making investments in these asset classes.

Timetable

9.30 - 9.45 Coffee and registration
9.45 Training session begins
13.00 - 14.00 Lunch
16.30 Close

Session 1

Alternative investments

• Characteristics of alternative investments
• Role in a portfolio, impact on risks and return
• Trends in the industry

Commercial property

• Sector performance - office, retail and industrial
• Direct investment versus collective
• Investment vehicles available
• Valuation issues

Session 2

Private equity

• Venture capital, leveraged buy outs, mezzanine financing etc.
• Valuing private equity
• Past performance and correlation with other asset classes
• Comparison with listed equity
• Advantages and disadvantages of investing in private equity

Session 3

Hedge funds

• What is a hedge fund?
• Funds of hedge funds
• Performance of funds
• Different strategies
• Advantages and disadvantages of investing in hedge funds
• Trends in industry

Session 4

Commodities

• Different types - precious metals, oil and gas, base metals, soft commodities etc.
• Drivers of performance
• How to gain exposure - listed shares, funds, futures, ETCs etc.

Other alternatives

• Infrastructure
• Distressed securities
• Art, antiques, wines

Presenter Jane Vessey manages a training company specialising in financial analysis and investment. She is a visiting lecturer at Cass Business School, at Said Business School and BPP Professional Education. Jane is a CFA charterholder and active in writing CFA study notes and teaching CFA courses. A graduate in mathematics from Oxford University she has some 18 years of experience working in the investment industry; she started out as an equity analyst before becoming an investment manager. She was based in London and Tokyo and took responsibility for managing equity portfolios invested in the Japanese and other Asian markets. In 1990 Jane moved to Indonesia and established and ran an investment management operation on behalf of MeesPierson. Jane is ASIM’s training consultant.

5 CPD Hours (tbc)

How to book

Please use this booking form. All registrations and fees should be sent to ASIM, Riverside House, River Lawn Road, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1EP. Telephone: 01732 783548 Fax: 01732 362626. For any queries please call the ASIM office on 01732 783548 or e-mail elisabeth@asim.org.uk

Course Reference Number: AIH/ASIM/0901

Please note our presenters are not authorised to advise on the interpretation and application of rules or the law to particular circumstances or matters. Comments made by our presenters will not constitute and must not be relied upon as advice. The course material does not necessarily stand on its own and is not intended to be relied upon for giving specific advice. Neither ASIM nor its presenters will be liable for any loss or consequential loss occasioned to any person acting, omitting to act or refraining from acting in reliance upon the course material or presentation of the course or, except to the extent that any such loss does not exceed the price of the course, arising from or connected with any error or omission in the course material or presentation of the course. Consequential loss means any loss of anticipated profits, damage to reputation or goodwill, loss of expected future business, damages, costs or expenses payable to any third party or any other indirect losses. No part of any handout material may be reproduced in any form without the prior permission of ASIM.