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Description

Investment Funds: Classifications, Fund Analysis and Sound Advisory Practice

Understand what a fund actually holds before comparing it or recommending it

  • 2 days — 14 h
  • In-person or virtual
  • Intermediate
  • Up to 6 participants

Fund ranges keep expanding and information documents all look alike. Advisers compare past performance without knowing whether the funds belong to the same asset class, confuse the management company with the depositary, and struggle to explain to a client why two funds carrying the same label behave very differently. Questions about fees often go unanswered with any precision.

These two days bring order to the world of investment funds. Participants distinguish structures and classifications, read regulatory disclosure documents, analyse the composition of a fund and then formalise advice consistent with the investor's profile.

Learning objectives

  • Distinguish the legal structures and operating mechanics of investment funds
  • Classify a fund according to its asset class and management strategy
  • Read regulatory disclosure documents and identify the sensitive points
  • Analyse the composition, liquidity and fee structure of a fund
  • Compare two funds on consistent criteria and justify a choice
  • Align fund selection with the client's profile and investment horizon

What makes this programme different

Line-by-line decoding of disclosure documents from real funds
A comparison of two funds in the same category with opposite behaviour
An interview guide to explain fees and risks to a non-expert client

Programme

1The fund universe and its structures

Knowing what we are talking about

  • Legal forms and participants in the fund management chain
  • Respective roles of the management company and the depositary
  • Subscription and redemption mechanics and net asset value calculation
  • Open-ended funds, dedicated funds and comparable vehicles

2Classifications and management strategies

Sorting funds before comparing them

  • Asset classes and fund categories
  • Active management, index management and constrained mandates
  • Multi-asset funds and structured formula funds
  • Reference points for extra-financial analysis applied to funds

3Analysing a fund

Reading beyond the headline performance

  • Reading the key information document and the prospectus
  • Portfolio composition and concentration of positions
  • Risk and volatility indicators
  • Fee structure and its effect on net performance
  • Liquidity conditions and cases of dealing suspension

4Advising and selecting funds for a client

Building a recommendation that stands up to scrutiny

  • Client risk profile, horizon and investment objectives
  • Holding structures and their practical consequences
  • Building an allocation from several funds
  • Traceability of advice and investor disclosure

Who is it for

Wealth advisers · private banking relationship managers · finance department staff and professionals involved in the distribution of savings and investment products.

Prerequisites

Familiarity with the main financial markets and the principal asset classes.

Dates & locations

36 scheduled dates between November 2026 and December 2027. Seats are confirmed in the order enquiries are received.

November 2026

December 2026

January 2027

February 2027

March 2027

April 2027

May 2027

June 2027

September 2027

October 2027

November 2027

December 2027

None of these dates suit you? We open additional sessions on request, and any programme can be run privately for your team.

Practical details

Before the programme
Online positioning questionnaire. Your development objectives are shared with the trainer, who tailors the practical case studies to your context.
Teaching methods
Theoretical input, workshops and practical case studies. Digital course materials and method sheets provided.
Assessment
Multiple-choice tests and role-play exercises. Assessment of learning at the start and end of the programme, with immediate and 60-day follow-up evaluations.
After the programme
One year of access to the e-learning platform. Self-assessment of the skills acquired and a 30-day follow-up session with your trainer.
How to register
Registration online or on the basis of a quotation.
Lead time
11 working days after confirmation of registration.
Accessibility
Accessible to people of determination. Contact our accessibility coordinator to design a suitable solution: contact@mpf-academy.ae
Start dates
Rolling intake: in addition to the scheduled sessions, this programme can start on request.