Closed-End Investment Companies (CEICs) were the dominant form of investment companies in the United States during the early part of this century, but interest in them declined after the 1929 stock market crash. Since 1985, however, there has been a significant revival of interest in CEICs. A substantial amount of academic research has focused on the nature of closed-end funds, discounts and premiums, and on the share price behavior of these firms, which often results in the prices differing from the net asset value of the shares. This book is designed for the academic researcher interested in CEICs and the practitioner interested in using CEICs as an investment vehicle. The authors summarize the evolution of CEICs, present the factors that cause CEIC shares to trade at different levels from their net asset values, provide a complete survey of the academic literature on this topic, and summarize the current state of research on CEICs.

A complete update and revision of one of the Motley Fool’s best commercial real estate books Offers a step-by-step introduction to building and understanding the models underlying investments in properties from single family rentals to entire development projects Ideal reading for courses in real estate financial modeling; asset valuation; property investment, development, and finance; commercial real estate investments and more Provides a much-needed resource for learners at any stage of their real estate careers Includes expanded coverage of waterfalls and other cutting-edge investment trends

Smart Portfolios is about building and maintaining smart investment portfolios. At its heart are the three key questions every investor needs to answer: 1. What to invest in. 2. How much to invest. 3. When to make changes to a portfolio. Author Robert Carver addresses these three areas by providing a single integrated approach to portfolio management. He shows how to follow a step-by-step process to build a multi-asset investment portfolio, and how to rebalance the portfolio efficiently. He covers both investment in collective funds like ETFs, and also direct investment in individual equities. Important features include: -- Why forecasting future returns is so difficult, and how to account for uncertainty when making investment decisions. -- How to accurately calculate the true costs of an investment, including costs that you may not even be aware of. -- How to select the best ETF for each asset class. -- How to compare the costs and other features of different ETFs. -- How to select individual shares. -- Calculating the number of shares needed for adequate diversification. -- How to use systematic forecasting algorithms to adjust portfolio allocations. -- How to cut trading costs through smart rebalancing strategies and execution tactics. Robert Carver also explains how to blend assets with different levels of risk, and how to construct portfolios that suit the level of risk that the investor can cope with. Smart Portfolios is detailed, comprehensive, and full of practical methods, rules of thumb and techniques, all fully explained with examples. It is intended for professional investors worldwide, including financial advisors, private bankers, wealth managers and institutional funds; as well as experienced private investors.

Value-creation in Middle Market Private Equity by John A. Lanier holistically examines the ecosystem relationships between middle market private equity firms and their portfolio companies. Small business is the job creating engine in the US economy, and consequently is a prime target market for private equity investment. Indeed, private equity backs over six of each 100 private sector jobs. Both the small businesses in which private equity firms invest, and the private equity firms making the investments, face inter- and intra-company fiduciary leadership challenges while implementing formulated strategy. The architecture of each private equity firm-portfolio company relationship must be uniquely crafted to capitalize on the projected return on investment that is memorialized in the investment thesis. Given the leveraged capital structure of portfolio companies, the cost of a misstep is problematic. Individual private equity professionals are typically members of multiple investment teams for the firm. Not only may each investment team have its own unique leadership style, but its diverse members have to assimilate styles for each team in which they participate relative to a specific portfolio company. Acquisitions and their subsequent integrations add exponential complexity for both private equity investment and portfolio company leadership teams; indeed, cultural integration ranks among the most chronic acquisition obstacles. Accordingly, the stakeholders of private equity transactions do well to embrace leadership best practices in applying value-creation toolbox best practices. The perspectives of both the private equity investment team and the portfolio company leadership team are within the scope of these chapters.

YOUR ONE-STOP HANDBOOK FOR CONNECTING WITH AFFLUENT FEMALE INVESTORS

""How to Give Financial Advice to Women is full of specific and useful suggestions to help financial advisors serve female clients more effectively. A great addition to any financial planner's professional bookshelf."" -- Rick Kahler, CFP, coauthor of Conscious Finance and The Financial Wisdom of Ebenezer Scrooge

""Finally a comprehensive answer to Freud's famous question, 'What do women really want?'--at least when it comes to financial advice. . . . A must-read manual for financial advisors on how to work authentically and appreciatively with women."" -- Eleanor Blayney, CFP, President, Directions for Women, CFP Board Consumer Advocate

""How to Give Financial Advice to Women arrives perfectly timed for advisors seeking guidance with the changing landscape of modern financial management. Addressing the dramatic rise of women in business, investing, and wealth, Kathleen Kingsbury clearly articulates how advisors can and need to understand the perspectives of female clients. Every advisor should read this book and learn these skills."" -- Jim Grubman, PhD, FamilyWealth Consulting

About the Book:

During the next several decades, women will inherit approximately $28.7 trillion in assets and will need good financial guidance to manage their increasing wealth. The problem is that two-thirds of women don't trust financial advisors. Even if you are the best at what you do, a female client will pass you over if you can't effectively communicate and establish a trusting relationship with her. "How to Give Financial Advice to Women" is your one-stop handbook for connecting with affluent female investors.

Written by a wealth psychology expert with over 20 years of experience coaching women, this practical book helps you understand the wants and needs of affluent female clients and shows you how to appeal to this group of loyal investors. First, it breaks down the psychological fundamentals of women and wealth, and then it outlines the skill set you need to effectively communicate and advise affluent women. With the help of concrete action steps, in no time at all you will: Refine your advising style to appeal to women Be sensitive to the realities of affluent women's lives Meet the unique needs of women in a variety of life transitions Connect with women both as individuals and as part of couples Build trust, actively listen, and foster financial confidence Help women prepare their children to receive wealth

Whether you are a male or female advisor, "How to Give Financial Advice to Women" shows you how the industry has historically made women feel misunderstood and undervalued and gives you everything you need to buck the trend and capitalize on being female friendly. This complete guide even comes with valuable marketing dos and don'ts to ensure you attract the right clients in the most cost-effective way.

"How to Give Financial Advice to Women" tells you what every wealthy woman wants her financial advisor to know.

In the middle decades of the nineteenth century Jeremiah G. Hamilton was a well-known figure on Wall Street. Cornelius Vanderbilt, America's first tycoon, came to respect, grudgingly, his onetime opponent. The day after Vanderbilt's death on January 4, 1877, an obituary acknowledged that "There was only one man who ever fought the Commodore to the end, and that was Jeremiah Hamilton." Hamilton, although his origins were lowly, possibly slave, was reportedly the richest black man in the United States, possessing a fortune of $2 million, or in excess of two hundred and $50 million in today's currency. In this ground-breaking and vivid account, eminent historian Shane White reveals the larger than life story of a man who defied every convention of his time. He wheeled and dealed in the lily white business world, he married a white woman, he bought a mansion in rural New Jersey, he owned railroad stock on trains he was not legally allowed to ride, and generally set his white contemporaries teeth on edge when he wasn't just plain outsmarting them. An important contribution to American history, the Hamilton's life offers a way into considering, from the unusual perspective of a black man.

'Written in a clear and straightforward style, and well grounded in succinct and pertinent analysis...It will prove a boon to students and practitioners alike as moves proceed towards European integration.' - British Book News;This volume identifies and analyses the extent to which the countries of Central and Eastern Europe are likely to attract inward foreign direct investment (FDI) to the turn of the century. Although these countries have been growing recipients of FDI, Western multinationals remain cautious and are slow to commit large investment sums. The book covers the contextual and thematic aspects of FDI as well as empirical country studies (including the Commonwealth of Independent States, Hungary, Poland and Slovenia) which address the legal environment for FDI, its magnitude and motives and industrial breakdown. The final section discusses the potential for closer economic and political integration in Europe.

This book explores current financing options for small and medium size enterprises (SMEs), with particular insight into the European market. The authors position SME funding within a risk-averse lending environment with high regulatory costs on business loans, which has arisen from the recent financial crisis and new European bank capital regulations. Chapters in the book demonstrate how and why SMEs may be forced to leave the market and posit that shadow banking and other alternative funding options are viable channels for raising funds. A new and innovative SME credit risk model is also presented. This book will appeal to all who share an interest in sustainable solutions to issues in SME financing.

Entrepreneurs drive the future, and the last several decades have been a thrilling ride of astounding, far-reaching innovation. Behind this transformative progress are the venture capitalists, who are at once the investors, coaches, and allies of the entrepreneurs. William H. Draper III knows this story firsthand because as a venture capitalist he helped write it. For more than 40 years, Bill Draper has worked with top entrepreneurs in fabled Silicon Valley, where today's vision is made into tomorrow's reality. The Startup Game is the first up-close look at how the relationship between venture capitalists and entrepreneurs is critical to enhancing the success of any economy. From a venture capitalist who saw the potential of Skype, Hotmail, OpenTable, and many other companies comes firsthand stories of success. In these pages, Draper explores how to evaluate innovative ideas and the entrepreneurs behind those ideas, and he shares lessons from Yahoo, Zappos, Baidu, Tesla Motors, Activision, Measurex, and more. Also, in revealing his on-the-ground account of how Deng Xiaoping brought China roaring into the modern world and how Manmohan Singh unlocked the creative genius of Indian entrepreneurs, Draper stresses the essential value of farsighted political leadership in creating opportunity. Lastly, the author discusses his efforts to bring the best practices of the venture capitalist/entrepreneur partnership to the social sector. Written in an engaging narrative and incorporating many of the author's personal experiences, this book provides a much-needed look at how the world of venture capital and entrepreneurship works.

The book is divided into three sections plus detailed appendices and glossary and accompanying CD-ROM. It provides a description of the investment management process providing a context for quantitative techniques,addresses different quantitative techniques as applied to investment management, and brings together issues such as currency management, performance measurement and appraisal and performance analysis.

Written in an accessible style from a consumer perspective and blends academic research with professional insights. Deals with all essential aspects of financial services that affect consumers and how they can exploit opportunities. Each of the chapters contain a list of learning objectives; a range of scenarios, case studies, examples and articles to provide a "real world" context to the discussion; a key points summary with referencing and further reading and useful on-line resources, as well as, a selection of short self-review questions. Enables readers to understand how the operations, complexity and dynamism of an ever-changing financial services industry shape the financial opportunities and risks they face.

Forestland investment has surged in the past few decades as a result of land ownership change in the forestry industry. Timberland investment and management organizations and real estate investment trusts have bought up land and resources that were divested by vertically integrated forest products companies. This book provides a seminal coverage of this seismic shift in the industry, exploring the philosophy, driving factors, valuation, theory, research, implementation, practice, and effects of forestland investment. Across 15 chapters the book reviews the history of forestland investment; discusses the optimal forest rotation; explains timberland appraisal; examines the return drivers of forestland; analyzes timberland index construction methods and results; prices timberland assets; reviews financial and real options; investigates real option values in forestland management; evaluates timber harvest contracts; examines new opportunities in the emerging woody bioenergy market; and eventually offers prospects on forestland investment in the future. It also discusses how forest carbon can be used as a nature-based climate solution. This book is essential reading for forestry business students and scholars, as well as practitioners and policymakers in the industry.

This study is an independent scholarly analysis of the economics of the grain futures contracts of the Chicago Board of Trade. The study was made possible by a research grant to the MidAmerica Institute from the Chicago Board of Trade, and we gratefully acknowledge this financial support, as well as the information and vast body of experience made available to us by the Division of Economic Analysis and members of the Exchange. Several other organizations also provided invaluable help from the inception of this study through the full process, either in the form of information, or through discussion: the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the National Grain and Feed Association, the American Soybean Association, the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, the House Committee on Agriculture, the General Accounting Office, and the Center for the Study of Futures and Options Markets at Virginia Polytechnic and State University. We express our thanks. The primary authors wish to extend a special word of apprecia tion to Michael Brennan, Merton Miller, Richard Roll, Hans Stoll and Lester Telser, who served as members of the Resource Panel for the study. While key strengths of the study reflect their input, ultimate responsibility for the analysis rests with the primary authors."

Grasp and apply the basic principles of technical analysis Savvy traders know that the best way to maximize return is to interpret real-world market information for themselves rather than relying solely on the predictions of professional analysts. This straightforward guide shows you how to put this into profitable action--from basic principles and useful formulas to current theories on market trends and behavioral economics--to make the most lucrative decisions for your portfolio. The latest edition of Technical Analysis for Dummies includes a brand-new chapter on making the right decisions in a bull or bear market, an updated look at unique formulas and key indicators, as well as refreshed and practical examples that reflect today today's financial atmosphere. Become an expert in spotting market trends and key indicators Get the skinny on the latest research on behavioral economics Take a deep dive into how to read market sentiment and make it work for you Get a look at the first innovation in charting for decades--straight from Japan With comprehensive coverage from charting basics to the cutting edge, Technical Analysis for Dummies includes everything you need to the make informed independent market decisions that will maximize your profits. Happy trading!

The Essentials of Social Finance provides an interesting, accessible overview of this fascinating ecosystem, blending insights from finance and social entrepreneurship. It highlights the key challenges facing social finance, while also showcasing its vast opportunities. Topics covered include microfinance, venture philanthropy, social impact bonds, crowdfunding, and impact measurement. Case studies are peppered throughout, and a balance of US, European, Asian, and Islamic perspectives are included. Each chapter contains learning objectives, discussion questions, and a list of key terms. There is also an appendix explaining key financial concepts for readers without a background in the subject, as well as downloadable PowerPoint slides to accompany each chapter. This will be a valuable text for students of finance, investment, social entrepreneurship, social innovation, and related areas. It will also be useful to researchers, professionals, and policy-makers interested in social finance.

Most investment books try to assess the attractiveness of a stock price by estimating the value of the company. Expectations Investing provides a powerful and insightful alternative to identifying gaps between price and value. Michael J. Mauboussin and Alfred Rappaport suggest that an investor start with a known quantity, the stock price, and ask what it implies for future financial results. After showing how to read expectations, Mauboussin and Rappaport provide a guide to rigorous strategic and financial analysis to help investors assess the likelihood of revisions to these expectations. Their framework traces value creation from the triggers that shape a company's performance to the impact on the value drivers. This allows a practitioner of expectations investing to determine whether a stock is an attractive buy or sell candidate. Investors who read this book will be able to evaluate stocks of companies in any sector or geography more effectively than those who use the standard approaches of most investors. Managers can use the book's principles to devise, adjust, and communicate their company's strategy in light of shareholder expectations. This revised and updated edition reflects the many changes in accounting and the business landscape since the book was first published and provides a wealth of new examples and case studies.

The derivatives market has been the fastest growing area of financial activity in the past few years. The pace of product development is fast, with a myriad of new hybrids being developed every year. This best-selling text is ordered in dictionary format, taking each financial instrument, market or related concept and giving an analysis together with diagrams where applicable. It also includes a comprehensive listing of contracts available on the major exchanges. Crucially, tax and accounting guidelines are included, and all appropriate legal documentation, such as the ISDA master agreement on swaps is reproduced in full.

This book provides a guide to the complexities of modern finance. It describes the basics of investment and the sophisticated innovations of the modern financial system. It explains how the follies of finance have threatened the stability of the world economy, and describes an environment that is complex and sophisticated, but greedy, cynical and self-interested. This book explains how to put your finances in the only hands you can confidently trust - your own. Readers will learn everything they need to be their own investment manager. They will recognise their investment options, the institutions that try to sell them, and how to distinguish between fact and fiction in what companies say. They will discover the principles of sound investment and the research that supports these principles. Crucially, they will learn a practical investment strategy and how to implement it. Leading economist and hugely successful investor John Kay uses his academic credentials and practical experience to lay out the key principles of investment with characteristic clarity and dry humour. This is the only book about finance and investment anyone needs, and the one book they must have.

With fifty trillion in worldwide assets, the growth of mutual funds is a truly global phenomenon and deserves a broad international analysis. Local political economies and legal regimes create different regulatory preferences for the oversight of these funds, and academics, public officials and legal practitioners wishing to understand the global investing environment will require a keen awareness of these international differences. The contributors, leading scholars in the field of investment law from around the world, provide a current legal analysis of funds from a variety of perspectives and using an array of methodologies that consider the large fundamental questions governing the role and regulation of investment funds. This volume also explores the identity and behavior of investors as well as issues surrounding less orthodox funds, such as money market funds, ETFs, and private funds. This Handbook will provide legal and financial scholars, academics, lawyers and regulators with a vital tool for working with mutual funds. Contributors include: W.A. Birdthistle, M. Bullard, I.H-Y Chiu, B. Clarke, Q. Curtis, D.A. DeMott, J. Fanto, J.E. Fisch, P. Hanrahan, L.P.Q. Johnson, W.A. Kaal, A.K. Krug, A.B. Laby, J.D. Morley, A. Palmiter, I. Ramsay, E.D. Roiter, M. White, D.A. Zetzsche

Financial market volatility plays a crucial role in financial decision making, as volatility forecasts are important input parameters in areas such as option pricing, hedging strategies, portfolio allocation and Value-at-Risk calculations. The fact that financial innovations arrive at an ever-increasing rate has motivated both academic researchers and practitioners and advances in this field have been considerable. The use of Stochastic Volatility (SV) models is one of the latest developments in this area. Empirical Studies on Volatility in International Stock Markets describes the existing techniques for the measurement and estimation of volatility in international stock markets with emphasis on the SV model and its empirical application. Eugenie Hol develops various extensions of the SV model, which allow for additional variables in both the mean and the variance equation. In addition, the forecasting performance of SV models is compared not only to that of the well-established GARCH model but also to implied volatility and so-called realised volatility models which are based on intraday volatility measures.
The intended readers are financial professionals who seek to obtain more accurate volatility forecasts and wish to gain insight about state-of-the-art volatility modelling techniques and their empirical value, and academic researchers and students who are interested in financial market volatility and want to obtain an updated overview of the various methods available in this area.

This book is about strategic asset allocation for institutional investors. It is an edited series of papers, from respected academics worldwide, on the latest developments in portfolio management, including new scientific articles that help to identify new trends. These expert studies can effectively improve the risk and return characteristics of your investment portfolio.

In recent years portfolio optimization and construction methodologies have become an increasingly critical ingredient of asset and fund management, while at the same time portfolio risk assessment has become an essential ingredient in risk management, and this trend will only accelerate in the coming years. Unfortunately there is a large gap between the limited treatment of portfolio construction methods that are presented in most university courses with relatively little hands-on experience and limited computing tools, and the rich and varied aspects of portfolio construction that are used in practice in the finance industry. Current practice demands the use of modern methods of portfolio construction that go well beyond the classical Markowitz mean-variance optimality theory and require the use of powerful scalable numerical optimization methods. This book fills the gap between current university instruction and current industry practice by providing a comprehensive computationally-oriented treatment of modern portfolio optimization and construction methods. The computational aspect of the book is based on extensive use of S-PlusA(R), the S+NuOPTa"[ optimization module, the S-Plus Robust Library and the S]Bayesa"[ Library, along with about 100 S-Plus scripts and some CRSPA(R) sample data sets of stock returns. A special time-limited version of the S-Plus software is available to purchasers of this book.

a oeFor money managers and investment professionals in the field, optimization is truly a can of worms rather left un-opened, until now! Here lies a thorough explanation of almost all possibilities one can think of for portfolio optimization, complete with error estimationtechniques and explanation of when non-normality plays a part. A highly recommended and practical handbook for the consummate professional and student alike!a

Steven P. Greiner, Ph.D., Chief Large Cap Quant & Fundamental Research Manager, Harris Investment Management

a oeThe authors take a huge step in the long struggle to establish applied post-modern portfolio theory. The optimization and statistical techniques generalize the normal linear model to include robustness, non-normality, and semi-conjugate Bayesian analysis via MCMC. The techniques are very clearly demonstrated by the extensive use and tight integration of S-Plus software. Their book should be an enormous help to students and practitioners trying to move beyond traditional modern portfolio theory.a

Peter Knez, CIO, Global Head of Fixed Income, Barclays Global Investors

a oeWith regard to static portfolio optimization, the book gives a good survey on the development from the basic Markowitz approach to state of the art models and is in particular valuable for direct use in practice or for lectures combined with practical exercises.a

Short Book Reviews of the International Statistical Institute, December 2005

The flow of capital to Third World countries in recent years has been less than expected for realizing their growth objectives. As a consequence, efforts have been redoubled to attract capital in the form of direct investment. The World Bank has proposed the establishment of a multilateral guarantee scheme, encompassing as many investing and host countries as possible, to reduce the risks associated with overseas investment.The authors analyze and comment on the necessity and suitability of the World Bank proposal. They examine earlier proposals for setting up multi lateral guarantee schemes and the reasons for their failure, develop an eco nomic frame of reference for analyzing the new proposal, describe and examine the World Bank plan, and present alternatives to it. They pay particular attention to two major assumptions of the plan: that additional foreign investment capital for developing countries could be mobilized on a large scale if the investment risks were reduced, and that existing national insurance schemes display shortcomings that could be avoided in a multilateral system.