APM Main Assessment Task 2 2020/2021
Guidance Document
Report Structure
Your Assignment should use a report format. This should be logically constructed and include the use of a contents page, numbered sections and subsections.
Please ensure a bibliography, references page and an appendix containing appropriate tables, charts and diagrams to evidence your research are also included.
In part a) it is expected that you will update the key data for the existing portfolio, before you begin to make any changes. You are required to critically analyse the performance of the portfolio use an appropriate table to display this data clearly. Your discussion will include an evaluation of how suitable the existing portfolio is for the needs of the client, giving appropriate explanation of your findings.
You should also include a table (in the Appendix) to identify and briefly describe the performance of the securities within the original portfolio that you have identified in part a) of the Assignment. For example;
| Security | Performance / detail |
| Shares in XYZ Plc | Growth of 3.7%pa and yield of 1.7% Annual performance was affected by …. |
| Shares in ABC Plc | No dividend declared because ….. |
| Etc. | |
This table will identify all of the securities from your analysis in part a) however, since you have a limited word count, your discussion in part a) of your report should cover what you consider to be the most important issues (good or bad) in detail. You are not required to provide a solution to the identified issues highlighted by the analysis within part a) of the Assignment.
In part b) it is expected that you will recommend appropriate changes to the investment portfolio that you believe will enable the client to achieve his stated aims and objectives detailed in the information. It is expected that the recommendations that you make will be targeted to fulfil this purpose and this may include selling some or all of the holding in a particular security, buying an appropriate amount of a new security, or holding an existing security. It is then expected that you will evidence the performance of the new portfolio that you have created as a result of the changes that you have made.
You should also clearly show what your recommendations are for the £250,000 currently held in cash.
You should also include a table (in the Appendix) to explain all of the changes that you recommend are made to the portfolio. These changes should be made on the basis that, in your opinion, they will help the client to achieve the stated aims and objectives detailed in the information. For example;
| Security | Action proposed |
| Shares in ABC Plc | Sell all shares |
| Shares in XYZ Plc | Hold all shares |
| Corporate Bond PQR Plc | Increase holding to …… |
| Government bond X | Purchase £X of this bond |
| Etc. |
This table will identify all of the actions that you recommend in part b) however, since you have a limited word count, your discussion in part b) of your report should cover what you consider to be the most important actions in detail.
Note: It is anticipated that the recommendations for changes to the portfolio that you make in part b) of the assignment will address/mitigate any problems, risks and issues that you identify from your analysis in part a) of the Assignment. It is also expected that your recommendations will meet the requirements and stay within the constraints stipulated by the client.
In part c) it is expected that you will consider the changes that would be expected to be made to the structure of the portfolio in order to reflect the change in aims & objectives; in this case changing from a requirement to achieve long-term sustainable capital growth in excess of the return on the FTSE All-Share index, to a requirement to deliver a blend of modest capital growth together with a sustainable income stream to augment his pension income in retirement.
You are not required to suggest specific security changes, but to discuss how the structure of the portfolio should be adjusted to reflect the changed aims. This will mean suggesting an appropriate change to the asset allocation model of the portfolio and the type of securities to be held. This change can be highlighted using appropriate graphs/tables in the Appendix.
Note: you are required to include several mandatory tables in your appendix; first, a table showing the analysis that you have carried out for part a) of the Assignment and second; a separate table showing the amended portfolio following your recommended changes in part b) of the Assignment. It is expected that you will evidence that your proposed changes have the potential to achieve the client’s aims and objectives, that they will be suitable for the client and to use an appropriate table to display this data clearly.
A suggested table structure will be given to you to display the data produced in the analysis of the original and new portfolios; however, you are free to use tables of your own design to reflect your portfolio analysis if you wish.
You are free to make any reasonable and justifiable assumptions and it is expected that your answer will address both economic circumstances and inflation. Any assumptions made should be included in a table located in the Appendix.
Assessment Grid
Please ensure you review the assessment grid on the next page. This shows the criteria against which your assignment will be marked and indicates the marks awarded for each section. This should act as guide for the word count in each section.
Submission
Students must submit their assignment into both the Module submission portal and into the Turnitin portal, together with any supporting Excel spreadsheets, or other evidence of research, on or before the deadline stated.
Failure to comply will result in your assignment being classed as late or as a non- submission.
Late Submission of Work – Guidance to Students
If you submit work after an assessment deadline without an authorised extension then this will be dealt with in accordance with SHU assessment regulations. Please refer to your Student Support Adviser if you are in any difficulties or doubt.
Please note that it is YOUR responsibility to ensure that your work is successfully submitted. Always check your email receipt and both of the submission points to confirm your work has uploaded successfully. If there is a problem with your submission you can make changes or resubmit your work up to the given deadline. The last attempt you submit will be the attempt that is marked.
Unacceptable / Poor academic practices and Submission Regulations
Note: This is an Individual Assignment and should reflect your own work only. Colluding with or copying work from other students will not be tolerated and will be dealt with in accordance with SHU rules and regulations.
The normal University rules apply. Relevant extracts from the rules have been placed on BB. If you have any doubts regarding these rules please refer to the support and information section on BB, the module leader or your programme leader. Any Turnitin score over 20% in particular will be looked at very closely and plagiarism investigated. However please note that scores below this benchmark will also be subject to close analysis given Turnitin’s limitations. It is therefore imperative that you have correctly referenced all material.
Feedback
Feedback will be given within 3 weeks of the deadline via grade centre and email
| Fail | Marginal fail | Pass | Merit | Distinction | ||
| Below 40% | 40 – 49% | 50 – 59% | 60 – 69% | 70% and above | Maximum Mark | |
| Outcome a) Analysis of the performance & suitability of the existing portfolio | Little attempt to analyse the performance & suitability of the existing portfolio | Some attempt at analysis of the performance & suitability of the existing portfolio. | Reasonable attempt at analysis of the performance & suitability of the existing portfolio | Good attempt at analysis of the performance & suitability of the existing portfolio | An in depth analysis of the of the performance & suitability of the existing portfolio | 30 |
| Outcome b) Draw up a new portfolio to meet the requirements of the clients giving clear reasons for the recommendations. | Little or no attempt at a balanced portfolio. No reasons for choice of investments. | An attempt at a balanced portfolio. Reasons for choice of investments weak. | Reasonable attempt at a balanced portfolio. Incomplete reasons for choice of investments | Good attempt at a balanced portfolio. Good reasons for choice of investments. | Work shows a very good attempt at a balanced portfolio. Reasons for choice of investments strongly argued and backed up. |
40 |
| Outcome c) Consideration of appropriate changes required to investment portfolio in the future. | Little or no attempt at this topic | A basic description of appropriate key points | Reasonable description of appropriate key points and their implications | Good description of appropriate key points and their implications | A very clear understanding and description of appropriate key points and their implications | 10 |
|
Usage and critique of relevant literature, accuracy and quality of referencing in the text and bibliography. |
Little or no critical evaluation of literature. Referencing and bibliography very weak or none existent | Some usage of relevant literature, but weak on the critical evaluation. Referencing poor and inaccurate. | Reasonable use of relevant literature, showing reading around the subject, but some weaknesses in evaluation. Referencing good. | Good review of available literature with good evidence of reading around the subject. Critical evaluation of literature good. Referencing and bibliography very good. | Work shows strong evidence of depth of reading and in depth critical analysis. Referencing and bibliography excellent. |
10 |
|
Written communication and cogency of arguments |
Poorly written, hard to follow, spelling and grammatical errors. | Able to follow points made, some spelling and grammatical errors. | Reader friendly and few spelling and grammatical errors. | Very reader friendly, few or no spelling and grammatical errors. | Very reader friendly, few or no spelling and grammatical errors, imaginative / innovative approach to communication , | 10 |
