Plumbers and Visionaries: Securities Settlement and Europe’s Financial Market is a path-breaking account of the history and future of the securities settlement industry in Europe. Written by experienced journalist and author, Peter Norman, this book takes a look at the less visible, but nevertheless critical segment of the global capital markets, following the development of securities settlement across Europe’s frontiers. It encompasses the free-wheeling days of the Eurobond market in the 1960s, through the growing integration of the European Union, to the highly regulated and efficient multi-trillion euro business securities settlement it is today. This book is the story of a financial sector that has grown hugely in importance in the 40 years since Euroclear, now the world’s premier settlement system for domestic and international securities transactions, was created to deal with a settlement crisis that threatened to smother the international capital market in its infancy. Beginning with the settlement crisis in the Eurobond market, this book describes how Euroclear and later Cedel, its arch-rival, were founded to deal with the problem. It follows the challenges posed by cross-border settlement for a growing range of securities when most financial infrastructures operated only within national frontiers. The book demonstrates how securities settlement became an issue for public policy after the stock market crash of 1987 and how the problems of cross-border settlement moved rapidly up the European policy agenda after the euro’s launch. More than a mere history, this book engages with the people who created the modern European securities settlement industry and taps into the often entertaining memories of its founding fathers. This book also focuses on the difficulties and challenges of cross-border transactions which have been identified as hampering Europe’s economic growth. It looks at the present state of the industry seeking a way forward so that the securities settlement infrastructure will better serve a single European capital market.
Geoff Cutmore offers a fresh approach to the age-old battle of profitable investing in uncertain times. With most experts now predicting volatile stock market conditions in the years ahead, many old, tried-and-true investment strategies no longer work. Cutmore reveals how some well-known investors continue to make money in these difficult economic times. «Through the biggest equity bubble and bear market in a generation Geoff Cutmore has been a pivotal commentator on these unfolding events in his role as main anchorman for CNBC Europe’s award winning business breakfast programme Squawk Box. In this book Geoff provides a fascinating insight into some of the leading characters in the investment industry and how their alternative investment styles have worked during the biggest bear market in a generation. It is essential reading for all those people who have an interest in investment and can help investors understand some of the different investment approaches which have evolved during this tumultuous period.» Nigel Bolton, Head of European Equities, Scottish Widows Investment Partnership «Is the bear market in stocks over or are we in for many more tough years, and what does that mean for our hard-earned pension portfolios? By talking to some of the great original thinkers in investing, Geoff skillfully draws out some fascinating answers. An absolute pleasure to read!» Bob McKee, Chief Economist, Independent Strategy, London-based global investment consult
In this entertaining and thoughtful book, Gerald Ashley sets out to explain what trading is, and lays out a modus operandi for being a trader and investor. He draws upon market anecdotes and examples from the past, seeking to debunk many myths surrounding financial markets, and to try and make the reader understand the real processes, risks and rewards that drive investment. In particular he examines ideas in market and individual investor behaviour, and questions the usefulness of many of todays standard investment techniques including benchmarks, charts, analysts and 'gurus'. He also lays out simple precepts for understanding investment risk and suggests ideas for managing your investments in today's markets.
Exchange-Traded Derivatives provides an overview of the global listed futures and options markets, and how individual exchanges and products are adapting to a new operating environment – an environment characterized by rapid, almost continuous, change. This book serves as an ideal resource on the 21st century listed derivative markets, products and instruments. Divided into three parts, Exchange-Traded Derivatives begins by providing an overall understanding of the marketplace and the forces that have, and are, altering the operating environment – stressing how exchanges need to change in order to cope with the challenges. The author then provides a comprehensive description of leading established exchanges, detailing their origins and structure, range of products and services, strengths and 'weaknesses'. The book concludes with a look at emerging marketplaces – those in developing countries as well as new «electronic» platforms – that are likely to increase in importance over the coming years. Exchange-Traded Derivatives is a valuable reference for fund managers, corporate treasurers, corporate risk managers, CFOs and those seeking a detailed guide to the world's derivative exchanges and products.
In-depth answers for professionals looking to accurately value foreign equities Transnational Equity Analysis is today's most thorough guide to its subject, examining and comparing the techniques used by top analysts and fund managers in the analysis of domestic and overseas equities. The book outlines the effects of international differences in disclosure and measurement rules and practices, examines how investors and analysts have discovered coping mechanisms for using fundamental analysis in an international context, and more. Mark Clatworthy (Cardiff, Wales) is a lecturer in the Cardiff Business School, UK.
A practical approach to ART-an alternative method by which companies take on various types of risk This comprehensive book shows readers what ART is, how it can be used to mitigate risk, and how certain instruments/structures associated with ART should be implemented. Through numerous examples and case studies, readers will learn what actually works and what doesn't when using this technique. Erik Banks (CT) joined XL Capital's weather/energy risk management subsidiary, Element Re, as a Partner and Chief Risk Officer in 2001.
Over recent years there has been rapid consumer-led growth in investing in socially responsible companies to the extent that it has had an influence on corporate policies. New regulations recognise the public interest by requiring all pension funds to declare their ethical policy. Investors can no longer just consider the financial aspects of a company before investing but also have to consider the complex world of ethical investments. Should the ethical policy take precedence over the financial aspects? Should policies be inclusive or exclusive? What percentage of a company's income has to come from unacceptable sources before the source is excluded? Should any exclusion policy also extend to those involved in selling or transporting goods deemed unacceptable? This is the first book to look at socially responsible investment from the perspective of the institutional investor, who will be led through the complex dilemmas of socially responsible investment with practical examples and advice.
Trading Regime Analysis is a groundbreaking work on how markets behave and how to profit from this behaviour. The book describes that it is the human nature of markets which explains why this behaviour exists and whether one believes in fundamental or technical market analysis, the ebb and flow of volatility is the one undeniable truth that exists in financial and commodity markets. It is the up and down cycles of volatility that is the manifestation of human psychology as the ultimate driver of markets and volatility, like human behaviour, has a distinct cycle to it. Offers in detail the methods that can be used to identify whether a market is about to start trending or about to enter a period of range trading Highlights important applications for this analysis for institutional investors, asset allocators, hedge fund managers and retail investors Provides unique content as there are no existing titles on trading regime analysis
This book shows traders how to use Intermarket Analysis to forecast future equity, index and commodity price movements. It introduces custom indicators and Intermarket based systems using basic mathematical and statistical principles to help traders develop and design Intermarket trading systems appropriate for long term, intermediate, short term and day trading. The metastock code for all systems is included and the testing method is described thoroughly. All systems are back tested using at least 200 bars of historical data and compared using various profitability and drawdown metrics.
Accounting for Derivatives: Advanced Hedging under IFRS is a comprehensive practical guide to hedge accounting. This book is neither written by auditors afraid of providing opinions on strategies for which accounting rules are not clear, nor by accounting professors lacking practical experience. Instead, it is based on day-to-day experience, advising corporate CFOs and treasurers on sophisticated hedging strategies. It covers the most frequent hedging strategies and addresses the most pressing challenges that corporate executives find today. The book is case-driven with each case analysing in detail a real-life hedging strategy. A broad range of hedging strategies have been included, some of them using sophisticated derivatives. The objective of this book is to provide a conceptual framework based on the extensive use of cases so that readers can create their own accounting interpretation of the hedging strategy being considered. Accounting for Derivatives will be essential reading for CFOs, internal auditors and treasurers of corporations, professional accountants as well as derivatives professionals working at commercial and investment banks. Key feature include: The only book to cover IAS39 from the derivatives practitioner’s perspective Extensive real-life case studies to providing essential information for the practitioner Covers hedging instruments such as forwards, swaps, cross-currency swaps, and combinations of standard options as well as more complex derivatives such as knock-in forwards, KIKO forwards, range accruals and swaps in arrears. Includes the latest information on FX hedging and hedging of commodities