Conversations with industry experts on Investor Relations

The course provides an overview of the Investor Relations business practice and of Financial Markets covering the following topics/areas:

1. Firms' Financial Strategic Options
From Seed Capital to Venture Capital to Private Equity (PE) financing options & business models.

2. Equity Capital Market & the IPO (Initial Public Offering) process
How Equity Capital Markets work: the role of the Investment Bank in the IPO (listing) process; what implies to become a publicly listed company. 

3. The Sell Side
 Equity Research/Corporate Broking: the role of the Sell-side Analyst. The interaction between the Sell-Side Analyst and the Investors. The fundamental relationship between the Corporate IR and the Sell-Side Analyst.

4. The Fund/Asset Manager

The Investor side. Active vs. Passive funds and the implications for the IR. The different Investment strategies and the investment selection process for the active funds. The ever increasing importance (post-Mifid2 regulation) of the relationship between the IR and the Buy-Side/Portfolio Manager.

5. The Investment Firm

Evolution of the Asset Management business practice. Current trends in Asset Management. Value vs. Growth Investment strategies Investment case studies.

6. Business practice sessions 
Practical, hands-on, sessions where the students consider a business case and prepare mock financial communications hand-outs (PR, CEO comments, QA etc.) mimicking the active IR role in the real corporate environment. These sessions will count towards the course final assessment.

7. Family Office

The evolving role of Family Office: an ever increasingly important actor in the asset management ecosystem.  The relationship's strategy and  requirements with the IR of listed Companies.

8.The Debt Capital Market side

Credit Rating Agencies what they do and why they matter; the Credit Analyst role & interaction with the IR

9. CEO/Executive testimonial

A precious direct testimonial by the Founder/CEO of an already listed or potentially listing company: opportunities & challenges.

10. Stock Exchange

Introduction by a Stock Exchange (Borsa Italiana or SIX) representative of the structure and services provided by the listing institution. Primary vs. Secondary markets.  IPO and listed companies evolution over time.

Investor Relations and financial communication have evolved, over time, into a strategic function capable to materially contribute to enhance a Company’s value and its position on the Market.  Professionals in this field need to be prepared for the new, increasing, challenges and requirements posed by an evolving financial Market and regulatory environments. The course builds upon the Investor Relations conceptual framework received through ESIR providing students with a direct interaction  with business and finance professionals operating in the real market environment & financial ecosystem.
Students exiting the course will have received a hands-on approach provided by leading finance professionals, as close as possible to real life IR business practice seeked by Companies listed on the Market.

In presence

Attendance 70% mandatory

Classes alternate theoretical format lessons with selected interventions by recognized business professionals covering the topics/themes outlined in the program. Active students’ participation in the follow-through discussions is strongly encouraged and will count towards the final exam outcome.

Final written exam in multiple-choice and open questions format. Students' active participation to class discussions and groups' work-outs/presentations carried out in the Business practice sessions will also be part of the final course valuation.

Required Material

• Presentations by course presenters, uploaded on iCorsi after each class
• Suggested reading to be indicated for each relevant topic discussed during the course