Comments on MBA 610 Final

Hi Everyone...

Kevin B. will be giving the exam to you...

My thoughts are that since I will not be there, we will make a comments:.

First, as always, there is no collaboration. Cheating will result in an F for the class (and an A for the person who turns the cheater in if it is proven).

That said, I had said you were allowed a single page (front and back) for a "cheat sheet", but I think I will change that.

You can have as much as you want (so open book). However, no internet and no computers.

I will tell Kevin.

However, before you think "oh this will be easy", most of the advantage will be eliminated by time. You will have 2:45. (I am supposing it will take a few minutes to pass out the exams and Kevin said he would be a few minutes late.) I learned my lesson when I was a student and a teacher screwed up and gave us too much time and an open book test. So it is open book, but the test will be long. DO NOT WASTE TIME. You can look things up, but doing so will cost time. I am aiming to make it long enough to do without looking things up.

Do not go past 9:00.

There are 100 Multiple choice questions (although not equally weighted. The higher weighted ones are later in the test), plus 6 short answers (10 points each).

There may be an essay too. Not sure. I will decide in the morning once I get a better look at it all together.


Relax. Just show me what you know. You won't get 100% (well unless you turn someone in for cheating), but who cares? You are all doing pretty well and unless you truly blow it (or cheat), you will probably make it (since I have no idea on cases yet I can not say definitely you will all pass, but right now you are all passing.)


Good luck! See you all Saturday :)

jim

Finance 401 test info

The final for 401 will be held in Murphy Aud C at 1:10 on Tues and then again on 1:10 on Wednesday.

You are allowed a full page front and back as a cheat sheet.

Finals are when scheduled

Just a reminder, all of our finals are when they are scheduled by the University. I received the following today:

" This is a reminder that final examinations are to be scheduled during the regular examination period at the end of the semester except when the instructor’s written request to dispense with one is approved by the appropriate dean. Please adhere to the regular examination schedule.

John G. Watson"

401 Answer key for test 2

Multiple Choice 2 points each (60 questions=120 points)
1. E
2. B
3. C
4. C
5. C
6. A.
7. C
8. B
9.E
10. d
11. D
12. C
13. B
14. C
15. C
16. C
17. B
18. B
19. E
20. D
21. A
22. E
23. THROW OUT (on key fill in all bubbles)
24. A
25. D
26. C
27. D
28. A
29. B
30. A
31. A
32. C
33. B
34. A
35. C
36. D
37. C
38. E
39. D
40. C
41. C
42. C
43. D/E
44. C
45.C
46. C
47. D
48. C
49. D
50. D
51. B
52. E
53.D
54. E
55. B
56. B
57. D
58. C
59. A
60. D

I lost the key

Ok, first let me apologize. I lost the answer key for the 401 test. Have no idea. Have looked through office both at home and in school. No luck. So there is a chance (I would estimate it at 50:50) you will have to wait until Thursday to get test back. I will give the qualitative part back tomorrow.

MBA 610 cases

Some information for the cases (which will be presented the last day of classes)

There will be 6 groups of 4 (well actually 5 of 4, one of 3)

each group will turn in a paper (4-5 pages max) plus any numerical analysis.

you will have 30 minutes for a presentation....so plan on 20 min presentation, 10 minutes for Q&A. I am leaving it up to you, but generally you will want to take one side or the other. For instance, in Adelphia case, you probably would want to take side of either the creditors or the management.

The cases will be largely on a first come first serve basis (as in we will not have repeats)

Everyone has to contribute (and present)..

It is expected that everyone (even those not in the group presenting reads every case). Also the cases provided here are the starting point, it is expected that you will have to supplement the material somewhat from other sources.

cases to choose from:

1. Bankers Trust
2. Bear Stearns _still playing out
3. Fischer-Price (Mattel)-still playing out
4. US Savings and Loan crisis
5. Barings
6. Dalian Water Supply---a spreadsheet is available here for the case
7. Long Term Capital Management--if this one is chosen, there will be a longer discussion period.
8. E-Trade (still playing out)
9. Adelphia (have to admit I am getting sick of it, but if you really want it...)
10. Any other case with my approval.

MBA 610 homework

I will not collect this (provided it is done, I may look at it and grade on completeness only)...

Here is spreadsheet to start with.

Semantic networks

We talked of semantic (or associative) networks in class today (you probably do not want to know ;)). But we mentioned the old Chevy "Baseball Hot dogs, Apple Pie and Chevrolet" commercial. Well, lo and behold, the had redone the classic commercial.

Finance 401 test

Hi everyone,

A couple of questions have arisen on the test, so here goes.

1. Yes I had uploaded the wrong file after updating the website. Here is correct link for class page.
2. The test is in Murphy Aud at 6:30pm on Thursday
3. It is cumulative, but obviously more on new stuff.
4. Main Chapters from book: 9, 13
5. (but to understand 9 you have to know others...such as 7 and 8....and probably 5 and 6 too...(but they were on first test too)...
6. Other material: stuff on portfolio diversification, background on CAPM, current state of CAPM, Behavorial finance
7. If I were to guess I would say about 10% of the test will be from blog, 60% from class, and 30% primarily from text.
8. Yes the movie (Other People's Money) will be tested.
   

IBM Reminder

I was asked to announce this again:
nformation Session
IBM Integrated Operations
Thursday, November 15
5 - 6 p.m.
Room 211/213 RC

During this session, insightful information about the potential for careers with IBM involving accounting and finance will be shared by alum Kathy Colucci, Vice President of Finance at IBM. Students of all majors are welcome to attend. Business casual dress is recommended for those seeking full-time or internship opportunities.

Thank you very much,

Renée

Also Matt G. who now works at IBM asked me to tell you that it really is a good job!

Definitely worth going! It will be done before the exam.

Big Blue is coming!

Does anyone still call them Big Blue? Well anyways, IBM is coming...

"INFORMATION SESSION

IBM Integrated Operations

Thursday, November 15

5:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Room 211/213 RC

During this session, insightful information about the potential for careers with IBM involving accounting and finance will be shared by alum Kathy Colucci, Vice President of Finance at IBM. Students of all majors are welcome to attend. Business casual dress is recommended for those seeking full-time or internship opportunities. Please contact the Career Center for additional information, if needed."

Part time in Olean

File Clerk -- Accounting Dept.

Part-time: Approx. 10 hrs./wk.

Relevant Majors: Business

Application Process: Submit résumé via email directly to the company representative -- Susan Blazejewski, HR Manager, sblazejewski@dresser-rand.com, no later than Monday, Nov. 12!

A complete description of the opportunity is available in your SBU College Central account (www.collegecentral.com/sbu) listed as (Job ID #) 1291206. Please contact the Career Center, if you have questions.

Tony Annunziato to speak in class

Three years ago this week my classes had the distinct pleasure of having Anthony Annunziato speak in my classes. Here are some of his comments from that day.

He is on campus again today (Tuesday) and will be speaking in at least some of my classes (1:00 in Murphy 107) and MAYBE 2:30 depending on his schedule.

This opportunity just became available to us over the weekend so I apologize for the short notice.

Thursday's Class

I have to be in Buffalo in the morning for a doctor's appt (not for me). I SHOULD be back in time for the 1:00 class, if not, please stay a few minutes longer than normal. I WILL be there! We will be going over chapter 13 on Market efficiency.

Steven Levitt is coming to Buffalo

How many students would be interested in going up to see him? He is speaking at UB on Wed at 8pm. Tickets are $14. We can check into getting a van if there is interest.

Brief Bio: Steven Levitt - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: "He is one of the most well known economists amongst laymen, having co-authored the best-selling book Freakonomics (2005). Levitt was chosen as one of Time Magazine's '100 People Who Shape Our World' in 2006.[1]"

Here is more from Time.

AXA interviews

Resumes Due: Friday, Nov. 2

Employer: AXA Advisors

Position: Financial Services Rep.

Majors: All majors

Additional information is available in your SBU College Central account. Please contact the Career Center, if you have any questions.

Student investors exceed beyond buy low, sell high - Features

Student investors exceed beyond buy low, sell high - Features:

"Bridget Hurley, portfolio manager of the class and club, said the group began
in 2002 with $40,000 in donations which has grown into nearly $48,000. In
addition, the group manages $100,000 of the university's endowment. 'For the
university to let us invest their money the way we do ours shows how successful
we've been in the past,' she said. 'We've had annual positive returns.'"

Cross listed on BonaSimm and FinanceClass blogs

Google Docs - Answer key finance 401 test 1

Google Docs - Answer key finance 401 test 1: Ok, so you are supposed to be able to publish via Google Documents...but it did not work very well. Just click on the link and it does work.

Finance 401 test results

First a story...

In one of the first classes I ever taught there was a student who performed very poorly on the first test of the semester. He was the lowest in the class by quite a bit, a real outlier.

He was an athlete and I had to tell his coach. It was not fun.

But the student stopped me and assured me it was just a bad test and he would figure it out and show a big improvement.

Well he did. Reading the book, going over the notes, etc. and by the next test he scored above average. Continuing this progression he had one of the higher grades by the final and ended with an A- for the class. So it can be done! Do not lose hope after one exam. It means very little. It can serve as a wake up call but that is about it.



The breakdown:
Raw Percentage of
score 250 200

mean	141.4681	0.565	0.707
median	143	0.572	0.715
stdev	26.1541
max	199	0.796	0.995
min	87	0.348	0.435

I will post the key later today

Free Money Finance: Get a Job by Volunteering

Free Money Finance: Get a Job by Volunteering:

"One of the tried and true principles of getting a new job is to network with others. I hear this tip all the time. A subset of this suggestion is to volunteer your time and experience for a non-profit/charity event. This way, you'll be able to help out a needy cause and at the same time expose your (great) skills to a ton of new people -- one of which may want to give you a new job.....So if you're in the market for a new job (or even if you aren't), let me suggest that you look for an opportunity to volunteer and showcase your talents."