The Handbook of Financial Instruments

One of the most important decisions you as an investor will encounter is how to allocate your funds among the wide range of financial instruments currently available. That decision requires an understanding of the investment characteristics of all asset classes-not just a few of them. The Handbook of Financial Instruments explores the basic features of each instrument introduced, explains their risk characteristics, and examines the markets in which they trade. Written by experts in their respective fields, this book arms individual investors as well as institutional investors with the knowledge to choose and effectively use many of the financial instruments available in the market today. Frank Fabozzi has assembled a team of financial experts who are ready to instruct and advise you on every aspect of these financial instruments, but before they do so, you will receive a basic primer on financial assets and financial markets; the fundamentals of investing; and the proper methodology for computing investment returns. After clarifying these important investment issues, The Handbook of Financial Instruments moves on to provide comprehensive coverage of a broad range of financial instruments, including: * Common stock * Fixed income securities including mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities * Mutual funds and exchange-traded funds * Stable value products such as traditional guaranteed investment contracts (GICs) * Investment-oriented life insurance products such as cash value life insurance and annuities * Hedge funds and private equity funds * Real estate investments You'll also learn how to use derivative instruments such as forward contracts, options, futures options, swaps, caps, and floors to control risk within any type of portfolio. The Handbook of Financial Instruments provides the most comprehensive coverage of financial instruments that has ever been assembled in a single volume. This book fully explains financial instruments and their characteristics, so you can make smarter investment choices by constructing a portfolio with a risk-return profile that is most likely to fulfill your investment objectives. Take this opportunity to broaden your investment horizons and learn how to grow and manage a portfolio with a wide variety of proven financial instruments.