The Economics of Financial Markets

The Economics of Financial Markets presents a concise overview of capital markets, suitable for advanced undergraduates and for beginning graduate students in financial economics. Following a brief overview of financial markets - their microstructure and the randomness of stock market prices - this textbook explores how the economics of uncertainty can be applied to financial decision-making. The mean-variance model of portfolio selection is discussed, with analysis extended to the capital asset pricing model (CAPM). Arbitrage plays a pivotal role in finance and is studied in a variety of contexts, including the APT model of asset prices. Methods for the empirical evaluation of CAPM and APT are also discussed, together with the volatility of asset prices, the intertemporal CAPM and the equity premium puzzle. An analysis of bond contracts leads into an assessment of theories of the term structure of interest rates. Finally, financial derivatives are explored, focusing on futures and options contracts.

Preface; 1. Asset markets and asset prices; 2. Asset market microstructure; 3. Predictability of prices and market efficiency; 4. Decision making under uncertainty; 5. Portfolio selection: the mean-variance model; 6. The capital asset pricing model, CAPM; 7. Arbitrage; 8. Factor models and arbitrage pricing theory, APT; 9. Empirical appraisal of the CAPM; 10. Present value relationships and price variability; 11. Intertemporal choice and equity premium puzzle; 12. Bond markets and fixed-interest securities; 13. Term structure and interest rates; 14. Futures markets - fundamentals; 15. Futures markets - speculation and hedging; 16. Futures markets - applications; 17. Swap contracts and swap markets; 18. Options markets: fundamentals; 19. Options markets - price determination; 20. Options markets - applications.

The Economics of Financial Markets provides comprehensive cover of the economic principles underlying all financial markets, focusing on markets for equities, bonds, futures and options contracts. This textbook is suitable for advanced undergraduates and for beginning graduate students in financial economics.

R. E. Bailey is Reader in Economics at the University of Essex. His main interests are in monetary economics, together with economic history and philosophy.