A Comprehensive Guide to Investment Funds: From Creation, Strategies, Risk Management through to Practical Insights

This two-day course provides a comprehensive overview of investment funds and their role in the financial ecosystem. It begins with an introduction to the structure and types of investment funds, exploring the client's perspective and the importance of government regulations and protections. You will gain insights into fund creation, investment strategies, and the dynamics of financial markets, including systematic and unsystematic risks.

The curriculum covers essential topics such as portfolio theory, construction, asset allocation, global drivers, and the principles of fundamental and quantitative analysis. Additional focus is placed on financial assets, associated risks, derivatives, and hedging instruments like futures, options, and swaps.

Key components of the course also include risk management in investment funds, operational processes like banking, fund documentation, and strategies for performance evaluation and monitoring. Through hands-on business cases, participants will apply their knowledge and develop practical expertise in managing and analysing investment funds effectively.

You will learn about:   

• The Purpose of Investment Funds
• The Client Perspective
• Government Regulation and Protection (UCITS, AIFM, SFDR, MiFID, ESG ..)
• Types of Funds
• The creation of an Investment Fund
• Investment Strategies
• Understanding Financial Markets (Systematic & Unsystematic Risk)
• Global Themes and Drivers
• Portfolio Theory, Construction & Asset Allocation
• Fundamental Analysis & Valuation ( Qualitative versus Quantitative Analysis)
• The Financial Assets & Associated risk
• The Derivatives and Hedging (Futures/ Options/ Swaps)
• Risk Management in Investment Funds
• Fulfillment and Fund Documentation
• Banking, operations, and processing of funds
• Performance evaluation, expected return & monitoring
• Business cases & testing our knowledge

• Finance Professionals: CFOs, portfolio analysts, financial advisors, and investment strategists seeking to enhance their expertise in fund management and investment strategies.
• Entrepreneurs and Business Owners: Those looking to understand their investments better, manage risks effectively, or set up investment funds for their business ventures.
• Government and Regulatory Personnel: Professionals working in regulatory bodies or financial oversight roles who want better to understand the mechanics and compliance aspects of investment funds
• Banking and Insurance Operations Personnel:  Keen on learning how investment funds work in their organisation.

09:00 – 10:30 | Introduction to Investment Funds

• What is an investment fund?
• History of investment funds
• Development of fund markets
• Size of fund markets today
• Advantages of funds

10:30 – 10:45 | Morning Break

10:45 – 13:00 | How Investment Funds are created

• The fund management process (designing a new fund, establishing investor objectives)
• Principles of portfolio construction (asset selection, portfolio risk)
• Portfolio evaluation (CAPM, alpha, beta, tracking error, R2, benchmarks)
• Investment strategies ("long only" funds (growth, income, geographical, sectors) vs. hedge funds (directional vs. non-directional, global macro, long/short, fixed income arbitrage)
• Risk in investment funds (market risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, operational risk)

13:00 – 14:00 | Lunch Break

14:00 – 15:30 | Characteristics of Investment Funds

• Fund structures (incorporated vs. unincorporated; open-end vs. closed end)
• Fund domicile (domestic funds, international funds)
• Asset types (equities, bonds, derivatives, real estate, private equity, money-market funds, balanced funds)
• Legal structures (UCITS funds, alternative funds)
• Fund types (umbrella funds, index funds, exchange-traded funds, hedge funds)

15:30 – 15:45 | Afternoon Break

15:45 – 17:00 | Case Discussion & Q&A

09:00 – 11:00 | How do Funds Work?

• Players in fund markets (investors, fund managers, portfolio managers, distributors, fund accountants, transfer agents, custodian/depositaries)
• Fund operations (NAV calculation, subscriptions, redemptions, switches, shareholder services, dividends, fund liquidations)

11:00 – 11:15 | Morning Break

11:15 – 13:00 | Investing in Funds

• Reading fund documentation (prospectus, KIID, fact sheet)
• Judging fund performance
• Selecting a fund (investor's risk appetite, fund manager, currency, investment strategy)
• Fund regulations and investor protection (UCITS, AIFMD, MiFID)

13:00 – 14:00 | Lunch Break

14:00 – 15:30 | The Future of Investment Fund Markets

• Digitalisation and fintech developments
• ESG and sustainable investing trends
• Passive versus active management evolution
• Regulatory developments and transparency

15:30 – 15:45 | Afternoon Break

15:45 – 17:00 | Final Review, Discussion & Q&A

• “A highly practical and insightful course. It gave me a clear understanding of investment funds and how the market really works.” – James T., Finance Manager
• “Excellent training with clear explanations and strong real-world examples. I now feel more confident evaluating funds and investment strategies.” – Laura P., Investment Consultant
• “Very professional and engaging course. The balance between theory, regulation, and practical application was outstanding.” – Michael R., Portfolio Analyst