Case write-up: Pick a current topic related to financial markets that is of interest
to you. Provide an overview of the topic including institutional details and a
summary of existing research. Identify one research question that would be
interesting to study and provide a structure on how you think you would address
the question (what type of analysis, source of data etc.) . Analysis using data will be
evaluated favorably. The paper shall not exceed 15 pages double spaced
(excluding tables and exhibits). Grading will be based on elements such as the
novelty of the research question, quality of the literature review, persuasiveness of
argument, and presentation – although these elements are not equally weighted.
Examples of topics and research questions (DO NOT USE THESE AND COME UP WITH YOUR OWN TOPICS AND RESEARCH QUESTION)
1. AI and InvestingL Use case for AI in investing. How will AI actually affect productivity and who are likely to be the winners and losers in the space.
2. ETFs: Are ETF returns purely an aggregation of the returns of the underlying consitutents or do ETFs drive the return of their consitutents? Effect of ETFs on financial markets
3. Power of WallStreetBets and Robinhood: What are the necessary and sufficient conditions for retail investors to create a run-up in stocks? what re the limits to their powers? Why are short sellers unable to correct inefficients? Suggest regulatory changes that could help improve efficiency. Is there a winsdom in cowed efftects
4. ESG investing: What is ESG investing? are there tradeoffs between ESG investing a stock returns? Shareholder vs. Stakeholder value
5. Crypto and Biotcoin: What is the intersic value of cryptocurrency? can they exist as a medium of exchange and what modifications will be needed
6. Inflation and interest rates: What is the effect of inflation and interest rates on equity makrets? Do they affect all firms the same? Role of equity duration.
