It's not hard to understand why options trading continues to grow in popularity, especially among sophisticated investors with large stock portfolios. Options are a cheaper and therefore, inherently less risky way of speculating on the price movements of stocks or other under-lying goods, yet, due to their volatility, they provide more price action per dollar than do stocks. And, when traded in conjunction with stock portfolios, options can significantly enhance an investor's ability to manipulate the risk and return characteristics of their entire investment. Yet, despite these and other advantages of options, many investors shy away from this highly lucrative type of speculation because of the seeming impenetrability of many of its underlying concepts and technical principles.
Now in a book that demystifies options for financial professionals, Professor Robert W. Kolb, one of the nation's leading authorities on the subject, provides readers with a solid grounding in the principles and practices of options trading. An excellent resource for investors who need to quickly get up to speed in options, Understanding Options offers a balanced presentation that builds swiftly from the most basic concepts and terms to advanced trading strategies and techniques. Written in plain English and filled with real-life examples and case studies, it schools readers in:
* All essential terms, concepts, principles, and practices
* Popular trading techniques and their payoffs
* Option strategies
* Option hedging
* Formal trading models, including the Binomial and Merton models
* Options on stock indexes, foreign currency, and futures
* Option pricing in both the American and European markets
* The options approach to corporate securities
* And much more

Concise yet comprehensive, authoritative yet highly accessible, Understanding Options gives you everything you need to feel right at home in the lucrative world of options.
Comprehensive, practical, authoritative--the fastest, most accessible route to the lucrative world of options
From the basics of what an option is to advanced techniques for profiting from options in a variety of markets, Understanding Options covers all the bases. Written by a leading international authority on options trading, this practical, hands-on guide offers detailed, step-by-step coverage of option trading techniques and their payoffs, option strategies, European and American option pricing, option hedging, and much more. It also explores options on stock indexes, foreign currency, and futures, and takes a close look at the options approach to corporate securities.
A concise, yet comprehensive, introduction to options for financial professionals
* Gets you quickly up and running with all the essential knowledge you need to break into the options markets
* Featuring a balanced presentation that moves swiftly from basic terms and concepts to advanced trading models
* Packed with easy-to-follow examples and case studies that lucidly illustrate all points covered

The Financial Futures Primer provides the reader with an introduction to the futures markets in general and financial futures in particular.

The first volume in the Leeds School Series on Business & Society, this collection of lectures demonstrates the valuable results of a timely exchange of ideas regarding the nature of executive compensation.
Includes discussions across academic disciplines, perspectives, and intellectual orientations on the oft-debated topic of executive compensation.
Gathers for the first time a series of lectures delivered at the 2004 Japha Symposium at the University of Colorado.
Provides the reader with insight into the fundamental problems from a social and ethical perspective, and proposes a myriad of possible solutions.

A new and updated edition of the most readable, comprehensive text available on derivatives markets.
Utilizes an even more applied approach than previous editions
Provides an excellent balance between introductory and advanced topics
Extensively updated to incorporate and explicate development in the field including the areas of electronic trading platforms, globalization of markets, hedge funds, financial scandals involving derivatives, and government regulation
Revised to include over 50 text boxes with applied vignettes on topical issues, product profiles, and historical anecdotes

"Kolb and Overdahl have produced a clear and well-written introduction to derivatives that should serve as a useful foundational text. Their mixture of mechanics, pricing, and risk management is as well-balanced as their blend of theory and practical applications."
–Christopher L. Culp, PhD, Adjunct Associate Professor of Finance at The University of Chicago’s Graduate School of Business and Managing Director at CP Risk Management LLC

"The third edition of Kolb and Overdahl presents a nice blend of theory and application of financial derivatives. The concise anthology introduces institutional background and valuation issues and then shows how each instrument can be used to manage risk. This book is sure to be of interest to risk managers as well as business students about to embark on their finance careers."
–Steve Swidler, J. Stanley Mackin Professor of Finance, Auburn University

"Financial Derivatives is an excellent, accessible introduction to some of the fastest growing markets in modern finance. Kolb and Overdahl clearly explain the uses (as well as the problems underlying several well-publicized abuses) of financial derivatives as risk management tools. Practitioners, regulators, and students of finance will all profit from exercising their option to acquire this book."
–Michael Ferguson, Assistant Professor of Finance, University of Cincinnati

The world's best financial minds help us understand today's financial crisis

With so much information saturating the market for the everyday investor, trying to understand why the economic crisis happened and what needs to be done to fix it can be daunting. There is a real need, and demand, from both investors and the financial community to obtain answers as to what really happened and why.

"Lessons from the Financial Crisis" brings together the leading minds in the worlds of finance and academia to dissect the crisis. Divided into three comprehensive sections-The Subprime Crisis; The Global Financial Crisis; and Law, Regulation, the Financial Crisis, and The Future-this book puts the events that have transpired in perspective, and offers valuable insights into what we must do to avoid future missteps.Each section is comprised of chapters written by experienced contributors, each with his or her own point of view, research, and conclusionsExamines the market collapse in detail and explores safeguards to stop future crisesEncompasses the most up-to-date analysis from today's leading financial minds

We currently face a serious economic crisis, but in understanding it, we can overcome the challenges it presents. This well-rounded resource offers the best chance to get through the current situation "and" learn from our mistakes.

An intelligent analysis of the dangers, opportunities, and consequences of global sovereign debt

Sovereign debt is growing internationally at a terrifying rate, as nations seek to prop up their collapsing economies. One only needs to look at the sovereign risk pressures faced by Greece, Spain, and Ireland to get an idea of how big this problem has become. Understanding this dilemma is now more important than ever, that's why Robert Kolb has compiled "Sovereign Debt." With this book as your guide, you'll gain a better perspective on the essential issues surrounding sovereign debt and default through discussions of national defaults, systemic risk, associated costs, and much more. Historical studies are also included to provide a realistic framework of reference.Contains up-to-date research and analysis on sovereign debt from today's leading practitioners and academicsDetails the dangers of defaults and their associated systemic risksExplores the past, present, and future of sovereign debt

The repercussions of a national default are all-encompassing as global markets are intricately interwoven in the modern world. "Sovereign Debt" examines what it will take to overcome the challenges of this market and how you can deal with the uncertainty surrounding it.

Essential insights on the various aspects of financial derivatives

If you want to understand derivatives without getting bogged down by the mathematics surrounding their pricing and valuation, "Financial Derivatives" is the book for you. Through in-depth insights gleaned from years of financial experience, Robert Kolb and James Overdahl clearly explain what derivatives are and how you can prudently use them within the context of your underlying business activities.

"Financial Derivatives" introduces you to the wide range of markets for financial derivatives. This invaluable guide offers a broad overview of the different types of derivatives-futures, options, swaps, and structured products-while focusing on the principles that determine market prices. This comprehensive resource also provides a thorough introduction to financial derivatives and their importance to risk management in a corporate setting. Filled with helpful tables and charts, "Financial Derivatives "offers a wealth of knowledge on futures, options, swaps, financial engineering, and structured products.Discusses what derivatives are and how you can prudently implement them within the context of your underlying business activitiesProvides thorough coverage of financial derivatives and their role in risk managementExplores financial derivatives without getting bogged down by the mathematics surrounding their pricing and valuation

This informative guide will help you unlock the incredible potential of financial derivatives.

Now in its sixth edition, "Understanding Futures Markets "by Robert Kolb (University of Colorado) and James Overdahl (Chief Economist of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission) provides the most comprehensive coverage of futures markets available. This new edition features updated and enhanced discussions on:
event markets, proposition markets, weather futures, and macro futures
globalization of futures markets
electronic trading platforms and the rise of electronic trading
manipulation of futures markets and methods of deterrence
The Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000 and its effect on market regulation
hedging in a corporate environment
uses of futures by government entities
energy futures products
recent fiascos involving energy futures and related derivatives
single stock futures products and narrow-based stock index futures
accounting and taxation features of futures markets.

Clearly written and accessible, this is the authoritative text for students and practitioners alike looking for an in-depth treatment of futures markets.

This new edition of "Understanding Futures Markets" is supported by online lecturer resources available at www.blackwellpublishing.com/ufm.

"Corporate Boards: Managers of Risk, Sources of Risk" deals with the highly timely topic of the Corporate Board and its relationship to risk, both in terms of its management and its creation.
Utilizes a multi-disciplinary perspective which draws on the fields of economics, law, business ethics, and corporate social responsibility
Features a range of topics including the role of corporate boards in overseeing increasingly complex risk management techniques and the ethical dimensions of corporate board behavior in managing risk
Of interest to students, scholars, and firm stakeholders
Explores how recent events have also shown that the members of Corporate Boards can be sources of risk

" Options: An Introduction is a completely revised edition which not only provides the same comprehensive introduction as the first edition, but also includes expanded treatment of option strategies, complete treatment of option sensitivities (DELTA, etc.) thorough treatment of European and American options in two separate chapters, and expanded treatment of options on futures, foreign currency options, and options on stock indexes. As with the first edition, the text comes with OPTION! software.