International Financial Analysis 10 credits

In this course, you are introduced to analytical tools and frameworks used to analyse financial markets, financial institutions, and corporate financial information. You will develop an understanding of how financial decisions are made and how financial markets operate in an international environment. The course establishes the foundation for advanced studies in finance and accounting. You will be introduced to financial statement analysis, including aspects of valuation, capital structure, and the interpretation of financial statements. This will equip you with the necessary skills to use financial reports for decision making. Further, you will be introduced to financial institutions, securities and markets, emphasising their role in shaping economic and business decisions. You will learn how firms, investors, issuers, and intermediaries interact within the financial system and how financial information supports decision-making in practice. This includes understanding how companies raise capital through equity and debt markets and how intermediaries such as banks and investment funds facilitate transactions and liquidity. Real-world examples are integrated into the learning process, enabling you to connect theoretical concepts with practical financial strategies. In addition, you will be introduced to statistical tools and quantitative methods commonly used in finance with a focus on various forms of regression analysis. These methods provide you with the analytical foundation to evaluate financial data, test relationships, and interpret empirical results in both corporate and market-based contexts. **Connection to Research ** The course draws on established and contemporary research in financial economics, corporate finance, and empirical finance. You will work with analytical frameworks and empirical tools commonly used in academic research on financial markets and firms. Through examples and applied exercises, you will learn how financial economists analyse financial data, evaluate market behaviour, and study corporate financial decisions. **Connection to Practice** The course connects theoretical concepts to practical financial decision-making. You will work with financial information and analytical tools that are used by analysts, investors, financial institutions, and corporations. You will practice analysing financial statements, evaluating financial data, and interpreting financial market information. These activities develop analytical skills that are relevant in professional roles in investment analysis, corporate finance, financial consulting, and financial institutions. **Connection to Ethics, Responsibility, Sustainability (ERS) ** ERS perspectives are integrated into the analysis of financial markets and corporate behaviour. You will reflect on how financial information, corporate reporting, and financial market structures influence economic decision-making and the allocation of capital. You will also consider how societal trends and sustainability considerations influence financial markets and corporate behaviour, and how financial transparency and responsible reporting contribute to trust and stability in financial systems.