The Handbook of Traditional and Alternative Investment Vehicles

As the financial industry continues to grow in both size and sophistication, so do the instruments found within it. In order to achieve success in today's markets-whether you're a seasoned professional or an individual investor-you need a firm understanding of the various investment vehicles that can protect a portfolio as well as increase its overall performance. The expert author team of Mark Anson, Frank Fabozzi, and Frank Jones has extensive experience in the field of finance, and now, with The Handbook of Traditional and Alternative Investment Vehicles, they provide a soup-to-nuts description of the numerous financial instruments that exist in the marketplace. Mixing theory with real-world examples, this reliable resource opens with a detailed look at traditional assets, such as common stock and basic bonds as well as municipal bonds, agency passthrough securities, collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs), and more specialized structured products in the credit industry. It also covers the fastest growing part of the asset management industry: exchange-traded funds (ETFs). After a thorough discussion of traditional assets, including real estate and real estate investment trusts (REITs), The Handbook of Traditional and Alternative Investment Vehicles then ventures into the world of alternative assets, offering both a descriptive overview of the many types and styles of hedge funds as well as how to invest in them. The authors also cover the world of private equity-dedicating a chapter to each of the four parts of this world: leveraged buyouts, venture capital, mezzanine debt, and distressed debt-and also take the time to address commodities, which in recent decades, have developed as an important asset class. The Handbook of Traditional and Alternative Investment Vehicles goes beyond the spectrum of most finance books by offering professionals in-depth knowledge, strategies, and techniques on a broad range of assets necessary to excel in today's dynamic market.