Product Description

This is an introduction to the world's principal financial markets and institutions. This new edition has been updated to include: European Union developments; deregulation, and its effects on banking systems; changes in Europe's futures and options exchanges; and the aftermath of the collapse of the "tiger economies". Providing coverage of commercial and investment banking, foreign exchange, money and bond markets, trade finance, stock markets, and options, futures and other derivatives, this book offers a basic understanding of the world of finance. This book does not aim to provide coverage of the theory of the subject, but rather draws on the author's teaching and training experience in explaining these topics to those new to the field.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #591414 in Books
• Published on: 2000-03-14
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 416 pages

Review
"This is a very broad and well-written introduction to Global Finance. Very up-to-date and very useful."--N. Dattini, London Guildhall University
"Very comprehensive, clearly-written and the breadth of coverage is very impressive."--A. Thomas, University of Liverpool

From the Author
The 5th edition has given me the opportunity to use a linked
web site to provide missing analytical details ( such as Black-Scholes) for
those happy with maths. Two entirely new chapters cover Hedge Funds and the
increasing significance of India and China. Extended coverage has also been
given to topics such as credit derivatives, hybrid bonds and Islamic
finance
This is an increasingly popular basic textbook and one used by top
investment bankers as part of their training programmes. The 4th edition
was translated into Chinese by both mainland China and Taiwan.
All in all I am delighted with the 5th edition and hope that it will be of
great benefit for training needs everywhere.

About the Author
STEPHEN VALDEZ founded Valdez Financial Training in 1985 to provide simple introductory courses on financial markets. These courses are used on a worldwide basis by major banks, financial institutions, software houses and information providers. Since January 1996, Valdez Financial Training has operated as a division of the Financial Training Company Ltd, one of the largest providers of training to the financial markets.

Customer Reviews

UNBELIEVABLY COMPREHENSIVE - MUST HAVE !!
As a law student with no previous background in finance,I bought this book as recommended from my tutor in Financial Law.
The book starts with an introduction to the way financial markets work and finishes with a glossary of financial terms.

Contents include: Banking(history,central bank,commercial/ investment banks), Securities Markets (rate of interest, yield, domestic money markets, bond markets, international makets), Stock exchange (stocks and shares, intrnational equity, indices, dealing systems, new issues), Foreign Exchane and international Trade (dealing, arbitrage, risk), Trade Finance, Institutions & History of European Economic and Monetary Union (historic approach, institutions), Derivative products (traded options), Financial Futures, Insurance (insurance markets, reinsurance, lloyd's ).

There are many examples and tables in the book.
Simple writing, ideal for international students as well!
4th edition is the best.

A great book for beginners
I read this book from cover to cover before starting work in the Technology department of an investment bank and found it a great explanation of the basics of the finance world. The examples were really well explained and easy to follow.

Simply a great book!

Good job, well done.
The book is an Introduction - a very useful one, which outlines in reasonable detail all the areas of the financial world you are likely to need to know about.

For a beginner, i.e. someone looking to study the industry, or someone looking to make a career in the industry (like me), the book is excellent because the writing is clear and the content jolly interesting!

No, it is NOT a comprehensive guide to risk management, to valuation, or to derivatives trading, or whatever else you hoped it would be. But it IS the place to start - if you happen to have half a brain, you will know after reading it which book(s) to buy next!