In Investment Planning, two of the best-known authors in the investment planning field, Geoffrey A. Hirt and Stanley B. Block, have joined forces with finance expert, Somnath Basu, to show financial planners how to successfully manage their clients' investments consistent with their personal objectives and levels of risk tolerance. This landmark book carefully explains the essential theory required to understand how financial markets work_and describes step by step how best to diversify and balance a portfolio of investments to reduce risk and increase expected returns. Ranging from fixed-income securities, common and preferred stock, and mutual funds...to options, futures, derivatives, and other investment vehicles, Investment Planning cuts through the complexities of today's burgeoning financial landscape with clear, concise accounts of: Types and uses of investment vehiclesTypes of investment riskMeasures of investment riskMeasures of investment returns Time-influenced security valuation conceptsBond and stock valuation methodsPortfolio management and measurement conceptsFormula investingInvestment strategiesAsset allocation and diversificationEMTAsset pricing modelsLeverage of investment assetsHedging and option strategiesTax efficient investingInvestment strategies in tax-advantaged accountsTaxation of investment vehicles An excellent resource for preparing for the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) exam, this comprehensive reference also includes real-world case studies and listings of investment websites in each chapter_plus a broad array of at-a-glance charts and tables. Authoritative and completely up-to-date, Investment Planning now offers professionals all the tools, techniques, and guidance they need to seize new opportunities in the financial marketplace and maximize returns on their clients' investments!

Author Biography

Geoffrey A. Hirt is currently Professor of Finance at DePaul University and Director of Equity Research at Mesirow Financial. He received his PhD in Finance from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, his MBA from Miami University of Ohio and his BA from Ohio-Wesleyan University. Geoff has directed the Chartered Financial Analysts Study program for the Investment Analysts Society of Chicago since 1987. From 1987 to 1997 he was Chairman of the Finance Department at DePaul University and taught investments, corporate finance, and strategic planning. He developed and was director of DePaul's MBA program in Hong Kong and has taught in Poland, Germany, Thailand, and Hong Kong. Geoff has published several books. The sixth edition of Fundamentals of Investment Management was released in July 1998 and is published by Irwin/McGraw-Hill. Additionally, Geoff is well known for his book Fundamentals of Financial Management published by Irwin/McGraw-Hill. Now in its eighth edition, this book is used at over 600 colleges and universities worldwide, and it has been translated into Chinese, Japanese, and Spanish. Geoff plays tennis and golf, is a music lover, and enjoys travelling with his wife, Linda. Professor Block is professor emeritus of financial management and investments at Texas Christian University, where he received the Burlington Northern Outstanding Teaching Award and the M. J. Neeley School of Business Distinguished Teaching Award. His research interests include financial markets, mergers, and high-yield bonds. He has served as president of the Southwestern Finance Association and is a Chartered Financial Analyst and a Certified Cash Manager. He enjoys sports and has run in the NYC Marathon. Professor Block holds a BA from the University of Texas at Austin, an MBA from Cornell University, and a PhD from LSU. In 2001, his former students established the Dr. Stan Block $1.5 million Endowed Chair in Finance at Texas Christian University. He is the first chairholder of the named chair. In 2006, he was selected as the university's outstanding professor. McGraw-Hill authors represent the leading experts in their fields and are dedicated to improving the lives, careers, and interests of readers worldwide