This book presents a critical analysis of four critical areas of investment management. Coverage includes an overview of portfolio management and its historical evolution; review and analysis of a range of academic research into the performance of portfolio managers; issues associated with both institutional and individual portfolio mismanagement; and a treatment of the important topics of suitability and churning. The contents are gathered from top academic, investment and law journals.

The competition between European financial centres is a subject of spirited public debate. Has the introduction of the Euro undermined London's position? Does tax competition disadvantage some European centres? Should the regulation of institutional investment be changed? Is it a good policy for governments to promote their national financial centres? And would the UK joining the European monetary union threaten the position of other European centres? These are some of the questions confronting policymakers and industry players. This book provides a firm empirical basis for examining these issues and provides a means to compare the efficiency, performance and future potential of the main European financial centres.

The volume contains 23 articles by international experts, both scholars and practioners dealing with the development of institutional investors (such as banks, insurances, investment companies, pension funds etc.), their investment and voting policies, the impact on managements of the companies concerned and related issues. The consequences of the international development on capital markets as well as policy implications for the respective national legislations are treated.

Closed-End Investment Companies (CEICs) have experienced a significant revival of interest, both as investment vehicles and as the subject of academic research, over the past decade. This academic research has focused on the nature of closed-end funds' discounts and premiums and on the share price behavior of these firms. The first book by the authors, "Closed-End Investment Companies: Issues and Answers," addresses closed-end fund academic articles published prior to 1991. This second book addresses those articles that have appeared since that time. Closed-End Fund Pricing: Theories and Evidence 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 thought to cause CEIC shares to trade at different levels from their net asset values, provide a complete survey of the recent academic literature on this topic, and summarize the current state of research on CEICs.

"What kinds of investors actually choose to make their living by seeking out troubled companies and becoming mired in the complexities and contentiousness of a bankruptcy or out-of-court workout?" - Hilary Rosenberg (from The Vulture Investors)

Welcome to the big-time, big-stress-and big-profit-world of vulture investing. From the eleventh-hour save of Donald Trump's casinos, to the tempestuous history of Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel, to the rocky restructuring of the massive Revco discount drugstore chain, Hilary Rosenberg takes us on a fast-moving journey through some of the major bankruptcies of the 1980s and 1990s-and brings to life the infamous, talented arbiters at the heart of their recovery. Meet the so-called "vulture investors" who cast their sights on distressed concerns, buy out debt, and skillfully forge their way to rich returns. Quietly upstaging the flashier corporate tycoons and raiders of the previous decade, men like Leon Black, Ronald LaBow, Sam Zell, Talton Embry, and Martin Whitman have helped to make a more efficient market in this obscure sector of investment, and their success may even inspire the quickly evolving business cultures of Asia and Latin America.

The vulture investors made their way to the forefront of American business during the troubled period when declaring bankruptcy became commonplace among debt-heavy companies. Buying out debt and seeing through the rehabilitation of companies as well-known as Sunbeam and Bloomingdale's, these unique players have changed the face of the distressed securities market. In her own animated, absorbing, and original style, Hilary Rosenberg creates thoroughly researched reenactments of the vultures' greatest exploits to offer an intriguing examination of their methods and their madness-and reveals the important role of these controversial characters in aiding worldwide economic recovery.

Praise for The Vulture Investors

"A lively account of the hardy band of investors who look for-and find-gold in capitalism's junk pile. Rosenberg not only tells their stories with captivating relish but weighs the overall economic impact of their exploits. This book is a valuable introduction to 1990s-style deal-making." - Chris Welles, Senior Editor, Business Week

"In a tour de force of punchy business writing, Rosenberg dissects a little-known but increasingly common high-stakes financial game: preying on companies in distress. . . . The author relates these intricate, suspenseful narratives in a clear, lively style that always instructs and often amuses." - Publishers Weekly

"Reads like a good suspense novel." - Library Journal

Leveraged index investments, including index futures, options, and ETFs, are one of the fastest growing products in finance, as both retail and institutional investors are attracted to their long-term returns and capital efficiency. With "Enhanced Indexing Strategies," author Tristan Yates reveals how you can create and build high-performance indexing strategies using derivatives that can potentially generate much higher returns than conventional index investing. In addition, "Enhanced Indexing Strategies" introduces six innovative long-term indexing strategies using futures and options, each with its own advantages and applications.

The economics of international investment is an area in which many important theoretical and empirical contributions have been made over recent years. This volume draws together a series of original new essays which reflect and refine developments in the concepts, theories and tools of analysis of international investment and uses them to analyse recent issues posed by the growth and altered structure of international investment. Featuring contributions by many of the leading figures in the field, the volume commences with discussion of the market for foreign investment since the debt crisis, the export and foreign investment decision process of the firm, the welfare implications of R&D activities by multinational enterprises in host countries and the relationship between foreign direct investment and regionalism with particular reference to the EC. Later papers focus on foreign direct investment in Eastern Europe, the influence of exchange rate regimes on international capital flows, the use of privatization schemes to reduce external debt overhang and Malaysia's inverse saving-investment correlation. No other book offers as extensive a coverage of important recent issues, both theoretical and empirical, in the economics of international investment. In addition to providing students, teachers and researchers with an overview of current views and theories in the area of international investment, this volume will also serve as a useful platform from which future research can be launched.

In 2007 over 400 million equity option contracts were traded but it is a volatile market, prices are ever changing with supply and demand - the only certainty is that they will change. With little knowledge or experience, an uninformed decision can quickly drain capital. This book explains equity options from absolute basics, assuming no prior knowledge of the subject. It shows traders starting out and already using the exchanges how to enhance their equity portfolio by using the whole range of investment opportunities and tools available. This will help investors to reduce their costs, enhance returns and manage price risk with certainty and precision.Equity Options Explained is a practical guide to trading equity options, supported by Liffe (part of the NYSE Euronext exchange group).Written by Bill Beagles, a well known, highly experienced trader and trainer, creating a unique combination in this area. Bill is still highly active in the markets, which brings a practical perspective to his training and the books.

The author presents the theory of portfolio choice from a new perspective, recommending decision rules that have advantages over those currently used in theory and practice. Portfolio choice theory relies on expected values. Goodall argues that this dependence has a historical basis and argues that current decision rules are inadequate for most portfolio choice situations. Drawing on econometric solutions proposed for the problem of forecasting outcomes of a chance experiment, the author defines adequacy criteria, and proposes adequate decision rules for a variety of situations.

Genetic algorithms (GAs) are based on Darwin's theory of natural selection and survival of the fittest. They are designed to competently look for solutions to big and multifaceted problems. Genetic algorithms are wide groups of interrelated events with divided steps. Each step has dissimilarities, which leads to a broad range of connected actions. Genetic algorithms are used to improve trading systems, such as to optimize a trading rule or parameters of a predefined multiple indicator market trading system. Genetic Algorithms and Applications for Stock Trading Optimization is a complete reference source to genetic algorithms that explains how they might be used to find trading strategies, as well as their use in search and optimization. It covers the functions of genetic algorithms internally, computer implementation of pseudo-code of genetic algorithms in C++, technical analysis for stock market forecasting, and research outcomes that apply in the stock trading system. This book is ideal for computer scientists, IT specialists, data scientists, managers, executives, professionals, academicians, researchers, graduate-level programs, research programs, and post-graduate students of engineering and science.

This book deals with commodity price stabilization. It explores the contemporary changes in global trade agreements and their relationship to the ongoing changes in international and regional trade structures and economic integration. It takes a wholistic, interdisciplinary approach, including economic, legal and political aspects; examines the EC and NAFTA as important trade blocs, and their impact on global economies. Investigates the Chinese approach to trade management, the oil price stabilization policies, and seabed minerals; discusses discrimination in international trade.

The interdisciplinary nature of the book is given prominence through the layout of the various parts. Part I examines the legal issues of commodity trade, investigating the debate over whether international trade agreements create hard law or soft law. Part II discusses the political economy of contemporary global trade issues, including the rise of intraindustry trade and discrimination in international trade. Part III addresses the recent trend towards regionalism and trade blocs, focusing on the EC and NAFTA, and their economic implications. Finally, Part IV presents the issues of commodity trade stabilization for minerals and oil, including both land-based and seabed commodities.

An up-to-date look at point and figure charting from one of the foremost authorities in the field

If you're looking for an investment approach that has stood the test of time--during both bull and bear markets--and is easy enough to learn, whether you're an expert or aspiring investor, then "Point and Figure Charting, Fourth Edition" is the book for you. Filled with in-depth insights and expert advice, this practical guide will help you grow your assets in any market.

In this reliable resource, the world's top point and figure charting expert, Tom Dorsey returns to explain how traders and investors alike can use this classic technique--borne out of the irrefutable laws of supply and demand--to identify and capitalize on market trends.Describes, step-by-step, how to create, maintain, and interpret your own point and figure charts with regard to markets, sectors, and individual securitiesExplains how to use other indicators, including moving averages, advance-decline lines, and relative strength to augment point and figure analysisReveals how to use this approach to track and forecast market prices and develop an overall investment strategySkillfully explains how to use point and figure analysis to evaluate the strength of international markets and rotate exposure from country to country

Today's investment arena is filled with a variety of strategies that never seem to deliver on what they promise. But there is one approach to investment analysis that has proven itself in all types of markets, and it's found right here in "Point and Figure Charting, Fourth Edition."

Technical Analysis of Stock Trends helps investors make smart, profitable trading decisions by providing proven long- and short-term stock trend analysis. It gets right to the heart of effective technical trading concepts, explaining technical theory such as The Dow Theory, reversal patterns, consolidation formations, trends and channels, technical analysis of commodity charts, and advances in investment technology. It also includes a comprehensive guide to trading tactics from long and short goals, stock selection, charting, low and high risk, trend recognition tools, balancing and diversifying the stock portfolio, application of capital, and risk management. This updated new edition includes patterns and modifiable charts that are tighter and more illustrative. Expanded material is also included on Pragmatic Portfolio Theory as a more elegant alternative to Modern Portfolio Theory; and a newer, simpler, and more powerful alternative to Dow Theory is presented. This book is the perfect introduction, giving you the knowledge and wisdom to craft long-term success.

Globalization and the financial crisis highlight the problems caused by worldwide banking organizations and force financial groups to reassess their development strategies. This book discusses the impact of the crisis on the consolidation process in the European financial industry and the need for regulation and financial supervision.

A detailed, one-stop guide for experienced options traders Positional Option Trading: An Advanced Guide is a rigorous, professional-level guide on sophisticated techniques from professional trader and quantitative analyst Euan Sinclair. The author has over two decades of high-level option trading experience. He has written this book specifically for professional options traders who have outgrown more basic trading techniques and are searching for in-depth information suitable for advanced trading. Custom-tailored to respond to the volatile option trading environment, this expert guide stresses the importance of finding a valid edge in situations where risk is usually overwhelmed by uncertainty and unknowability. Using examples of edges such as the volatility premium, term-structure premia and earnings effects, the author shows how to find valid trading ideas and details the decision process for choosing an option structure that best exploits the advantage. Advanced topics include a quantitative approach for directionally trading options, the robustness of the Black Scholes Merton model, trade sizing for option portfolios, robust risk management and more. This book: Provides advanced trading techniques for experienced professional traders Addresses the need for in-depth, quantitative information that more general, intro-level options trading books do not provide Helps readers to master their craft and improve their performance Includes advanced risk management methods in option trading No matter the market conditions, Positional Option Trading: An Advanced Guide is an important resource for any professional or advanced options trader.

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is one avenue for offering assistance to developing countries in their efforts to grow. Small countries typically have limited resources to direct toward investment attraction programs, so the ability to segment the market (of Multinational Corporations looking to invest) is a crucial skill. This book develops and employs an investment preference analysis model to give evidence that homogenous groups of investors can be identified. Once these groups are identified, their needs - specific preference requirements for laws, regulations, incentives, and general conditions - can be more efficiently addressed.

This book provides an investor-friendly presentation of the premises and applications of the quantitative finance models governing investment in one asset class of publicly traded stocks, specifically real estate investment trusts (REITs). The models provide highly advanced analytics for REIT investment, including: portfolio optimization using both historic and predictive return estimation; model backtesting; a complete spectrum of risk assessment and management tools with an emphasis on early warning systems, risk budgeting, estimating tail risk, and factor analysis; derivative valuation; and incorporating ESG ratings into REIT investment. These quantitative finance models are presented in a unified framework consistent with dynamic asset pricing (rational finance). Given its scope and practical orientation, this book will appeal to investors interested in portfolio optimization and innovative tools for investment risk assessment.

Successful real estate investments play an essential role in Canadian investors' portfolios. The growth in wealth in real estate markets has presented investors with tremendous opportunities to capitalize on and expand their range of investments, and has moved real estate investing from a niche product to a pillar of smart portfolio diversification. In Making Money in Real Estate, 2nd Edition, Douglas Gray demystifies the Canadian real estate market for novice investors and presents new strategies for veteran investors. Learn to: * Understand the real estate market cycles * Find a property and assess its investment potential * Build a trustworthy real estate team * Arrange financing on good terms * Use negotiating tactics that work * Understand tax and legal issues * Manage a property * Avoid the pitfalls that many investors fall into * Examine the pros and cons of non-residential property investment options Readers of previous editions will appreciate the vital changes to mortgage rules, taxation and legislation, and the inclusion of information on commercial real estate. Thorough coverage in plain English makes Making Money in Real Estate, 2nd Edition the next logical step for investors who want to begin or expand their real estate portfolios, and is a critical and indispensable tool in investment decision making.

Much of what we consider modern economics is the work of British journalist and economist Walter Bagehot, one of the first editors of the influential newspaper The Economist and an early proponent of business cycles. Here, he develops his theory of central banking, much of which continues to impact financial thinking today. First published in 1873, this replica of the updated 1910 edition explores the history of London's Lombard Street, from how it came to be the traditional home of banks and moneylenders to how the value of money was determined by the institutions there. Joint stocks, private banking, and the regulation of the banking reserve: Bagehot's discussion of these fundamental economic issues makes this a vital resource for anyone wishing to understand financial history. WALTER BAGEHOT (1826-1877) also wrote The English Constitution (1867), Physics and Politics (1872), and The Postulates of English Political Economy (1885), among other works.

Following substantial policy reforms in many countries, the past decade has been characterized by a remarkable increase of long-term private capital flows to the developing world. However, the bulk of these investments has concentrated on a few economies at the intermediate level of the international income distribution, while the large number of low-income countries has been mostly neglected by international investors. Starting from these observations, International Investment, Political Risk, and Growth analyzes the potential growth effects of liberalizing investment regimes in developing economies and offers an explanation for the apparent bias of private capital flows towards middle-income countries. It demonstrates that the removal of investment barriers may liberate an economy from a vicious circle of poverty, unproductive saving, and low growth, and presents a novel approach to analyzing the role of political risk as a major impediment to greater private capital inflows. Offering a combination of theoretical models and empirical analysis, and discussing both the historical evidence and the recent literature, this book contributes to a better understanding of the determinants and consequences of international investment in developing countries.

To invest successfully or trade in Stocks, Options, Forex, or even Mutual Funds, it is imperative to know AND understand price and market movements that can only be learned from Technical Analysis. You should NEVER attempt Trading or Investing without it My 25 years experience has taught me that 'every book on the market' regarding Charting and Technical Analysis is seemingly worthless. All seem to find yet another creative way to tell you to "Buy Low and Sell High." And they offer NO in-depth understanding or analysis about WHO is buying and WHO is selling, and when. Point is, anyone, experienced or not, can show you a picture of a Chart and tell you to buy at the bottom and sell at the top. That is simple 'hindsight, ' and is always 20/20. This book is different It is IN-DEPTH - EXPLAINED and you WILL learn price movements and technical analysis from this information You will understand and recognize tops and bottoms in the market and in particular stocks, AS they are forming. This is highly valuable information, and you should NEVER attempt to trade or invest without this knowledge. Mutual Funds? Most people think they do not need this information because the have a Mutual Fund. That could not be farther from the truth. Investing your hard-earned money should be done with your own knowledge of market direction, when to buy, and when to move your money to safety. Without this knowledge you are at the mercy of a salesperson hungry to earn a commission. Thus, invariably entering the market at the wrong time and in the wrong investment. No one else has your best interest in mind. So learn to protect your money or keep it in the bank. It's that simple. The next move is yours.