Derivatives Demystified. A Step-by-Step Guide to Forwards, Futures, Swaps and Options

Derivatives are everywhere in the modern world and it is important for everyone in banking, investment and finance to have a good understanding of the subject. Derivatives Demystified provides a step-by-step guide to the subject, enabling the reader to have a solid, working understanding of key derivative products. Adopting a highly accessible approach, the author explains derivative products in straightforward terms and without the complex mathematics that underlie the subject, focusing on practical applications, case studies and examples of how the products are used to solve real-world problems. Derivatives Demystified follows a sequence that is designed to show that, although there are many applications of derivatives, there are only a small number of basic building blocks, namely forwards and futures, swaps and options. The book shows how each building block is applied to different markets and to the solution of various risk management and trading problems. This new edition will be fully revised to reflect the many changes the derivatives markets have seen over the last three years. New material will include a comprehensive history of derivatives, leading up to their use and abuse in the current credit crisis. It will also feature new chapters on regulation and control of derivatives, commodity derivatives, credit derivatives and structured products and new derivative markets including inflation linked and insurance linked products. Derivatives Demystified is essential reading for everyone who operates in the financial markets or within the corporate environment who requires a good understanding of these important financial instruments.

A clear, practical guide to working effectively with derivative securities products Derivatives Essentials is an accessible, yet detailed guide to derivative securities. With an emphasis on mechanisms over formulas, this book promotes a greater understanding of the topic in a straightforward manner, using plain-English explanations. Mathematics are included, but the focus is on comprehension and the issues that matter most to practitioners—including the rights and obligations, terms and conventions, opportunities and exposures, trading, motivation, sensitivities, pricing, and valuation of each product. Coverage includes forwards, futures, options, swaps, and related products and trading strategies, with practical examples that demonstrate each concept in action. The companion website provides Excel files that illustrate pricing, valuation, sensitivities, and strategies discussed in the book, and practice and assessment questions for each chapter allow you to reinforce your learning and gauge the depth of your understanding. Derivative securities are a complex topic with many «moving parts,» but practitioners must possess a full working knowledge of these products to use them effectively. This book promotes a truly internalized understanding rather than rote memorization or strict quantitation, with clear explanations and true-to-life examples. Understand the concepts behind derivative securities Delve into the nature, pricing, and offset of sensitivities Learn how different products are priced and valued Examine trading strategies and practical examples for each product Pricing and valuation is important, but understanding the fundamental nature of each product is critical—it gives you the power to wield them more effectively, and exploit their natural behaviors to achieve both short- and long-term market goals. Derivatives Essentials provides the clarity and practical perspective you need to master the effective use of derivative securities products.

Praise for Options Theory and Trading «I've had the pleasure of teaching with Ron Ianieri at numerous live seminars for traders and investors, and one thing is for sure-Ron knows options! Now Ron has created a thorough, easy-to-read guide that you can benefit from in many ways, whether you are experienced in options trading or just starting out. I believe you will find Options Theory and Trading like Ron himself . . . full of knowledge, entertaining, fast-paced, and a joy to be around.» —Price Headley, CFA, CMT, founder of BigTrends.com «I've had the pleasure of knowing and working with Ron for many years now. When managing funds in our asset management company, Ron has always been our 'go-to guy' on anything options-related. I've also taught a number of seminars side by side with Ron over the years where I've always come home knowing more about options than when I left! The man is truly the 'pitbull' of derivatives.» —Peter Reznicek, Chief Equity Strategist, www.ShadowTrader.net «What a pleasure to read Ron Ianieri's new book, Options Theory and Trading. As a market technician for the last thirty-three years I am always looking for technical moves in stocks, and I rely on Ron's expertise for the optimum options strategy needed for each specific move I perceive happening in the markets. Ron's 'in the pits' experience serves to correct the misinformation in much of the published material and classes currently available to the unsuspecting options trader.» —David Steelsmith Elliott, Wallstreetteachers.com, World's #1 Market Timer, USIC «Ron's expertise in options is as high as there is and his experience is unparalleled. Ron not only knows the answer but can explain it in a '101' fashion that is simple enough for even a novice to understand. His book is written in the same fashion. Ron not only explains the 'how to's' but also the 'how and why' which other books just don't seem to do. As a day trader/swing trader by nature, I also appreciate Ron incorporating real chart examples for us directional traders. For these reasons, I would highly recommend Ron's book to anyone interested in using options.» —Chris Rowe, The Trend Rider, www.tycoonresearch.com

An in-depth look at the best ways to navigate the post-reform world of derivatives and futures The derivatives market is one of the largest, and most important financial markets in the world. It's also one of the least understood. Today we are witnessing the unprecedented reform and reshaping of this market, and along with these events, the entire life cycle of a derivatives transaction has been affected. Accordingly, nearly all market participants in the modern economy need to view the handling of risk by derivatives in a very different way. Many aspects of financial services reform are based on a belief that derivatives caused the Great Recession of 2008. While the difficulties we now face cannot be blamed solely on derivatives, the need to understand this market, and the financial products that trade within it, has never been greater. The Post-Reform Guide to Derivatives and Futures provides straightforward descriptions of these important investment products, the market in which they trade, and the law that now, after July 16, 2011, governs their use in America and creates challenges for investors throughout the world. Author Gordon Peery is an attorney who works exclusively in the derivatives markets and specializes in derivatives and futures reform and market structure. Since representing clients in Congressional hearings involving Enron Corp., he has developed extensive experience in this field. With this guide, he reveals how derivatives law, and market practice throughout the world, began to change in historic ways beginning in 2011, and what you must do to keep up with these changes. Explains what derivatives and futures are, who trades them, and what must be done to manage risk in the post reform world Accurately reflects the futures and derivatives markets as they exist today and how they will be transformed by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act Highlights the risks and common disputes regarding derivatives and futures, and offers recommendations for best practices in light of the evolving law governing derivatives The financial crisis has changed the rules of Wall Street, especially when it comes to derivatives and futures. The Post-Reform Guide to Derivatives and Futures will help you navigate this evolving field and put you in a better position to make the most informed decisions within it.

An up-to-date look at the evolution of interest rate swaps and derivatives Interest Rate Swaps and Derivatives bridges the gap between the theory of these instruments and their actual use in day-to-day life. This comprehensive guide covers the main «rates» products, including swaps, options (cap/floors, swaptions), CMS products, and Bermudan callables. It also covers the main valuation techniques for the exotics/structured-notes area, which remains one of the most challenging parts of the market. Provides a balance of relevant theory and real-world trading instruments for rate swaps and swap derivatives Uses simple settings and illustrations to reveal key results Written by an experienced trader who has worked with swaps, options, and exotics With this book, author Amir Sadr shares his valuable insights with practitioners in the field of interest rate derivatives-from traders and marketers to those in operations.

Richard Flavell has a strong theoretical perspective on swaps with considerable practical experience in the actual trading of these instruments. This rare combination makes this welcome updated second edition a useful reference work for market practitioners. —Satyajit Das, author of Swaps and Financial Derivatives Library and Traders and Guns & Money: Knowns and Unknowns in the Dazzling World of Derivatives Fully revised and updated from the first edition, Swaps and Other Derivatives, Second Edition, provides a practical explanation of the pricing and evaluation of swaps and interest rate derivatives. Based on the author’s extensive experience in derivatives and risk management, working as a financial engineer, consultant and trainer for a wide range of institutions across the world this book discusses in detail how many of the wide range of swaps and other derivatives, such as yield curve, index amortisers, inflation-linked, cross-market, volatility, diff and quanto diffs, are priced and hedged. It also describes the modelling of interest rate curves, and the derivation of implied discount factors from both interest rate swap curves, and cross-currency adjusted curves. There are detailed sections on the risk management of swap and option portfolios using both traditional approaches and also Value-at-Risk. Techniques are provided for the construction of dynamic and robust hedges, using ideas drawn from mathematical programming. This second edition has expanded sections on the credit derivatives market – its mechanics, how credit default swaps may be priced and hedged, and how default probabilities may be derived from a market strip. It also prices complex swaps with embedded options, such as range accruals, Bermudan swaptions and target accrual redemption notes, by constructing detailed numerical models such as interest rate trees and LIBOR-based simulation. There is also increased discussion around the modelling of volatility smiles and surfaces. The book is accompanied by a CD-ROM where all the models are replicated, enabling readers to implement the models in practice with the minimum of effort.

The legal, financial, and business primer to the M&A process Mergers and Acquisitions offers accessible step-by-step guidance through the M&A process to provide the legal and financial background required to navigate these deals successfully. From the initial engagement letter to the final acquisition agreement, this book delves into the mechanics of the process from beginning to end, favoring practical advice and actionable steps over theoretical concepts. Coverage includes deal structure, corporate structuring considerations, tax issues, public companies, leveraged buyouts, troubled businesses and more, with a uniquely solution-oriented approach to the M&A process. This updated second edition features new discussion on cross-border transactions and «pseudo» M&A deals, and the companion websites provides checklists and sample forms to facilitate organization and follow-through. Mergers and acquisitions are complex, and problems can present themselves at each stage of the process; even if the deal doesn't fall through, you may still come out with less than you bargained for. This book is a multi-disciplinary primer for anyone navigating an M&A, providing the legal, financial, and business advice that helps you swing the deal your way. Understand the legal mechanics of an M&A deal Navigate the process with step-by-step guidance Compare M&A structures, and the rationale behind each Solve common issues and avoid transactional missteps Do you know what action to take when you receive an engagement letter, confidentiality agreement, or letter of intent? Do you know when to get the banker involved, and how? Simply assuming the everything will work out well guarantees that it will—for the other side. Don't leave your M&A to chance; get the information and tools you need to get it done right. Mergers and Acquisitions guides you through the process step-by-step with expert insight and real-world advice.

Implant Restorations: A Step-by-Step Guide, Third Edition offers clinicians a practical, step-by-step approach to treatment planning and restoring dental implants. This highly illustrated, case-based book demonstrates how to treat the most commonly encountered treatment scenarios, describing the procedures, techniques, and sequences required in clear, concise language and in an easy-to-use format. The book takes the theory of implant restoration, using as its basis 3i’s implant systems, and places it directly in the operatory, concentrating in detail on each stage of the actual clinical procedures involved in treating different patients. It integrates implant treatment with the realities of running a successful restorative practice. Building on the work of the 2nd edition, the 3rd edition of this successful text reflects the advances of implant prosthetics over the intervening years, providing all new cases, exploring new techniques and technology, and demonstrating updated system components and armamentarium. Implant Restorations: A Step-by-Step Guide follows a logical structure of three sections. The first section introduces implant restorative dentistry, how to develop an implant restorative practice, the issues involved, the technical components of the 3i systems, diagnosis, and treatment planning. The central section of the book devotes separate chapters to in-depth descriptions of each of several types of patients that the restorative dentist may encounter, ranging from basic to more challenging cases. Every step of each procedure is described and illustrated with clinical photographs. Laboratory work orders are presented for use with commercial dental laboratories. The final section discusses record-keeping, patient compliance, hygiene regimes and follow-up, and provides the reader with an outline of best-practice procedural protocols. An excellent and accessible guide on the most burgeoning subject in modern dental practice by one of its most experienced clinicians, Implant Restorations: A Step-by-Step Guide, Third Edition will appeal to prosthodontists, general dentists, implant surgeons, dental students, dental laboratory technicians and dental assistants.

Praise for Computer-Aided Fraud Prevention and Detection: A Step-by-Step Guide «A wonderful desktop reference for anyone trying to move from traditional auditing to integrated auditing. The numerous case studies make it easy to understand and provide a how-to for those?seeking to implement automated tools including continuous assurance. Whether you are just starting down the path or well on your way, it is a valuable resource.» -Kate M. Head, CPA, CFE, CISA Associate Director, Audit and Compliance University of South Florida «I have been fortunate enough to learn from Dave's work over the last fifteen years, and this publication is no exception. Using his twenty-plus years of experience, Dave walks through every aspect of detecting fraud with a computer from the genesis of the act to the mining of data for its traces and its ultimate detection. A complete text that first explains how one prevents and detects fraud regardless of technology and then shows how by automating such procedures, the examiners' powers become superhuman.» -Richard B. Lanza, President, Cash Recovery Partners, LLC «Computer-Aided Fraud Prevention and Detection: A Step-by-Step Guide helps management and auditors answer T. S. Eliot's timeless question, 'Where is the knowledge lost in information?' Data analysis provides a means to mine the knowledge hidden in our information. Dave Coderre has long been a leader in educating auditors and others about Computer Assisted Audit Techniques. The book combines practical approaches with unique data analysis case examples that compel the readers to try the techniques themselves.» -Courtenay Thompson Jr. Consultant, Courtenay Thompson & Associates

A critical guide to corporate valuation modeling Valuation is at the heart of everything that Wall Street does. Every day, millions of transactions to purchase or sell companies take place based on prices created by the activities of all market participants. In this book, author Keith Allman provides you with a core model to value companies. Corporate Valuation Modeling takes you step-by-step through the process of creating a powerful corporate valuation model. Each chapter skillfully discusses the theory of the concept, followed by Model Builder instructions that inform you of every step necessary to create the template model. Many chapters also include a validation section that shows techniques and implementations that you can employ to make sure the model is working properly. Walks you through the full process of constructing a fully dynamic corporate valuation model A Tool Box section at the end of each chapter assists readers who may be less skilled in Excel techniques and functions Complete with a companion CD-ROM that contains constructed models, this book is an essential guide to understanding the intricacies of corporate valuation modeling. Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.