1) Investment Banking Industry Perspectives & Players
2) Financial Statements & Performance Measurement
3) Global Debt and Equity Market Dynamics
4) Economic Growth Indicators, Interest Rates and FX

This segment starts with a discussion of what is expected of the participants and how they can make the most of their experience at SFA. It then introduces capital markets and investment banking activities, and sets the stage for understanding Wall Street, the financial "City" of London and the Swiss banking industry. Students develop comprehensive perspectives on global macro events and economic development from an investment banker’s point of view.

1) Firm Value, Comparables, Economic Value-Added Analysis
2) IPOs, M&A, LBOs, Restructuring
3) Investment Banking, Venture Capital, Private Equity

Valuation is one of the core responsibilities of an investment banker. This module offers a rigorous and thorough understanding of corporate valuation from M&A standpoint. First, theory is taught and separated from real-life. Second, concepts are applied to actual company and divisional valuations using case studies and real life examples. Students learn about adjusted firm value, valuation discounts and premia (such as control premia and minority discounts), Sum-of-the-Parts valuation, mechanics of private equity, exit value considerations, leveraged buyouts including LBO debt market characteristics, Hybrid IDS, etc.

DCF Model, Comps Model, Football Field, Pitch Books

This segment involves building a financial model of a hypothetical client, performing sensitivity analysis and valuation, acquiring a target, and conducting related EPS calculations, including M&A accretion and dilution analysis. Template spreadsheets and related question papers are distributed at the appropriate time. The focus is on practical application of theory and on presentation of conclusions.

1) What are Hedge Funds and Why are they Growing?
2) Proprietary Trading Concepts & Methods
3) Hedge Fund Strategies

This segment focuses on institutional investment in non-traditional, alternative investment products, consisting primarily of hedge funds, but also private equity and intellectual property. Students learn about proprietary trading methods, technical and fundamental analysis of markets as well as securities. Students learn how and why the hedge fund investment universe has grown significantly over the past decade. The class learns strategies such as macro, risk arbitrage, fixed income arbitrage, managed futures, equity hedge, statistical trading and convertible arbitrage.

1) Competitive Strategy
2) Strategy Consulting
3) Entrepreneurship

This segment builds upon the strategic, analytical, and technical skills developed in the corporate finance and asset management segments, and offers an in-depth finance perspective on competitive strategy frameworks related to both high and low tech entrepreneurial ventures.