Investment Management

INTERNATIONAL TRAINING ON INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

COURSE BACKGROUND

In an increasingly complex global financial landscape, effective Investment Management is paramount for individuals, corporations, and institutions seeking to grow wealth, meet financial objectives, and manage risk. The proliferation of investment products, market volatility, and evolving economic conditions necessitate a sophisticated understanding of financial markets, asset classes, and strategic portfolio construction. Without robust knowledge and disciplined approaches, investors risk suboptimal returns, significant losses, or missed opportunities in a dynamic environment.

A solid grasp of investment principles enables informed decision-making, whether for personal wealth accumulation, managing institutional funds, or advising clients. This expertise is particularly critical in developing financial markets like Kenya, where growing capital markets and diverse investment opportunities coexist with unique economic risks, requiring strategic insight to navigate effectively and unlock long-term value.

ECAS Institute offers this “Investment Management” course to equip aspiring and current investors, financial advisors, portfolio managers, and finance professionals with the essential theories, analytical tools, and practical strategies for managing investment portfolios effectively. This program will empower participants to make sound investment decisions, optimize risk-adjusted returns, and achieve their financial goals.

COURSE OBJECTIVES OF THE TRAINING

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Understand the fundamental concepts of investment, including various asset classes and investment vehicles.
2. Analyze the relationship between risk and return and apply principles of diversification in portfolio construction.
3. Conduct basic security analysis to evaluate the intrinsic value and potential of different investments.
4. Apply principles of Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT) and strategic asset allocation.
5. Develop and implement various investment strategies (e.g., active, passive, value, growth).
6. Construct, monitor, and manage diversified investment portfolios aligned with specific financial objectives.
7. Evaluate investment performance using appropriate metrics and benchmarks.
8. Understand the ethical considerations and regulatory frameworks governing investment activities, particularly in the Kenyan context.
9. Navigate investment opportunities and challenges within local and global financial markets.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

This course will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of how to manage investments effectively, from selecting individual assets to constructing and optimizing entire portfolios. You will learn to:

• Identify and differentiate between major asset classes (equities, fixed income, real estate, commodities, alternative investments) and their characteristics.
• Quantify and manage various types of investment risk (market, credit, interest rate, liquidity, operational risk).
• Apply the concept of diversification to reduce portfolio risk without sacrificing returns.
• Perform fundamental analysis of companies to determine the intrinsic value of stocks.
• Understand the basics of technical analysis for identifying market trends and trading signals.
• Construct an efficient investment portfolio by balancing risk tolerance with return objectives.
• Formulate and implement investment strategies appropriate for different market conditions and investor profiles.
• Monitor and rebalance portfolios to maintain optimal asset allocation.
• Measure and attribute investment performance against relevant benchmarks.
• Comprehend the role of investment vehicles such as mutual funds, ETFs, and unit trusts, particularly those available on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE).
• Navigate the regulatory environment for investments in Kenya (e.g., Capital Markets Authority – CMA).
• Adhere to ethical standards and fiduciary duties in investment management.

DURATION AND PROGRAM

This is a structured training course designed for in-depth theoretical understanding combined with practical application. The program will feature a blend of expert-led lectures, interactive workshops on asset analysis and portfolio construction, case studies of investment decisions (both successful and challenging, including those from African markets), practical exercises using financial data and investment tools, and group discussions. Participants will engage in building mock portfolios and analyzing real-world investment scenarios, fostering critical thinking and decision-making skills essential for effective investment management. The specific duration of the course will be communicated upon registration, tailored to ensure comprehensive coverage and the development of actionable investment expertise.

TARGET PARTICIPANTS

This course is ideal for individuals and professionals seeking to develop robust skills in managing financial assets and making informed investment decisions. It will particularly benefit:

• Individual Investors seeking to manage their personal portfolios more effectively.
• Aspiring Financial Advisors and Planners
• Junior Portfolio Managers and Investment Analysts
• Wealth Managers and Private Bankers
• Finance Professionals across various sectors looking to deepen their investment knowledge.
• Treasury Professionals
• Pension Fund Managers
• Business Owners and Entrepreneurs managing corporate liquidity or seeking investment for growth.
• Students pursuing careers in finance and investment.

TRAINING MODULES

The course is structured into comprehensive modules, guiding participants through the complete process of investment management:

No	Module	Details
1.	Introduction to the Investment Landscape	This module provides a foundational understanding of the investment world, defining key terms, introducing various financial markets, and outlining the spectrum of investment opportunities available. Key Topics: Definition of investment vs. speculation. Types of investment markets (e.g., stock market, bond market, money market). Major asset classes: Equities (stocks), Fixed Income (bonds), Cash equivalents. Introduction to alternative investments (e.g., real estate, commodities, private equity). The role of financial intermediaries (brokers, fund managers).
2.	Risk and Return Fundamentals	This module explores the core relationship between risk and return in investments, teaching participants how to identify, measure, and manage various types of investment risks while understanding expected returns. Key Topics: Defining return: Historical vs. expected returns. Types of investment risk (e.g., market risk, credit risk, inflation risk, liquidity risk). Measuring risk: Standard deviation, beta. The risk-return trade-off. Systematic vs. Unsystematic risk.
3.	Security Analysis: Equities and Fixed Income	This module delves into the methods used to analyze individual securities, with a focus on evaluating stocks (equities) and bonds (fixed income) for investment potential. Key Topics: Introduction to Fundamental Analysis (economic, industry, company analysis). Key financial ratios for stock valuation (e.g., P/E, EPS, Dividend Yield). Introduction to Technical Analysis (charting, trends, indicators). Bond characteristics (yield, maturity, credit rating, duration). Basic bond valuation.
4.	Modern Portfolio Theory and Asset Allocation	This module introduces participants to advanced portfolio construction principles, including Nobel Prize-winning Modern Portfolio Theory, focusing on optimizing portfolios for risk-adjusted returns. Key Topics: Diversification principles and benefits. Correlation and covariance of assets. Efficient Frontier and optimal portfolios. Strategic vs. Tactical Asset Allocation. Investor risk profiling and goal setting.
5.	Investment Strategies and Portfolio Construction	This module explores various investment strategies and provides practical guidance on how to build and structure investment portfolios based on objectives, risk tolerance, and market outlook. Key Topics: Active vs. Passive investment management. Value investing vs. Growth investing. Top-down vs. Bottom-up approaches. Constructing a diversified portfolio (equities, fixed income, cash, alternatives). Using investment vehicles (mutual funds, ETFs, Unit Trusts available in Kenya).
6.	Portfolio Monitoring, Rebalancing, and Performance Evaluation	This module covers the ongoing management of an investment portfolio, including monitoring its performance, making necessary adjustments, and evaluating its effectiveness against benchmarks. Key Topics: Regular portfolio monitoring and review. Portfolio rebalancing strategies. Measuring investment returns (e.g., time-weighted vs. money-weighted returns). Benchmarking portfolio performance. Introduction to performance attribution analysis.
7.	Ethics, Regulation, and Global/Local Investment Context	This module emphasizes the ethical responsibilities of investment professionals, explores the regulatory landscape, and discusses specific considerations for investing in local (Kenyan) and global markets. Key Topics: Ethical principles in investment management (e.g., fiduciary duty, conflicts of interest). Overview of the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) and other relevant regulatory bodies in Kenya. Investor protection mechanisms. Investing in the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) and other regional markets. Opportunities and risks in global investing (e.g., currency risk, geopolitical risk). Sustainable and Responsible Investing (SRI) / ESG considerations.

TRAINING STYLE

The modules will be taught through PowerPoint presentations, and lectures and will include a case study/field visit, breakout sessions, case studies and other interactive discussion components.

The course will also include a few guest speakers, both in person and via Zoom and other online learning platforms for overseas speakers. This provides useful real-world insights alongside the more theoretical aspects of the course.

The conference faculty shall consist of experienced decision makers, as well as practitioners and representatives from established educational and research institutions active around climate change, engineering and international development. Throughout the course, theoretical presentation of concepts will be moderated and more group discussions and plenary engagements will be optimized. PowerPoint presentations will be made by facilitators and resource persons, to highlight key concepts before embarking on group work.

GENERAL NOTES

• Training manuals and additional reference materials are provided to the participants.
• Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be issued with a certificate.
• We can also do this as a tailor-made course to meet organization-wide needs. Contact us to find out more: info@ecasiafrica.org.
• Payment should be sent to our bank account before the start of training and proof of payment sent to: info@ecasiafrica.org.

ABOUT ECAS INSTITUTE

The ECAS Institute designs and delivers independent and targeted training, research, and consulting services. Our work focusses on climate change and resilience building, carbon markets, renewable energy, nature-based solution, biodiversity conservation, agriculture and food systems, We are located in Nairobi Kenya and work across the African region. We have implemented training and research assignments in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Somalia, Malawi, Rwanda, Congo, and South Africa. Globally, we have supported our partners from the UK, Denmark, Italy, Sweden, Germany, and USA.