Book Description

A succinct, readable, easily-accessed discussion of the benefits, risks, and methods of international portfolio management. Madura's book will be of special value to institutional investors, analysts, corporate CFOs and others who want to tap into the potential of offshore securities markets but who may be restrained by fears of running afoul of prudent man legislation. Madura explains methods to reduce such market risks, and how exchange rates are affected by economic conditions and how their movements affect global portfolio returns, not only in industrialized but also in emerging securities markets. With tables and other figures to illustrate his points, Madura's book will provide needed, reassuring guidance for investors seeking portfolio diversification with lessened risk, and with benefits that may be uncommon in domestic markets. Madura first provides an overview of methods to measure the returns and risks of foreign securities, with an explanation of what portfolio risk is and the factors that determine whether a particular portfolio is sufficiently diversified. In his second chapter he describes the methods used by portfolio managers to invest internationally, the choices that are practical and available to them, and the advantages and disadvantages of each method. In Chapter 3, he discusses ways to value foreign stocks and bonds guidelines to help make purchase decisions. His fourth chapter explains how to hedge a portfolio against market risk and introduces derivative securities and their hedging benefits. Chapter 5 explains factors that affect exchange rate movements and Chapter 6 discusses the methods one can use in hedging. In Chapter 7, Madura describes concepts of asset allocation and the role played by derivative securities. Chapter 8 provides background on emerging markets, which portfolio managers often turn to in efforts to achieve extra returns or more effective diversification. Madura wraps it all up with a sensible explanation of how portfolio managers can realistically evaluate their global investment performance.