An Introduction To Financial Products And Markets

Here is a clear, readable introduction to the range of financial products that are available, and to the markets in which these products are traded. Written from a market user's standpoint it offers a comprehensive, learning-oriented coverage of financial products and markets, and provides an ideal basis for further study. The range of products covered includes both market-traded and institutionally provided assets. The principal financial characteristics of products are made clear through the use of intuitive explanations rather than through financial valuation tools with which many readers may be unfamiliar. There are chapters on shares, short-term debt capital, medium-to long-term debt capital, derivatives and foreign exchange, as well as the role of financial authorities. A concluding chapter examines potential areas of change for the future.

Each chapter features learning outcomes, student activities, longer questions and mini research projects. An ideal text for students in the early stages of a course in finance or business (as it assumes no prior knowledge of the subject area), it will also be of value to MBA students studying finance for the first time and to students on professional courses such as accountancy and banking.