This fourth edition provides a unifying approach to the valuation of all derivatives not just futures and options and includes new chapters on value at risk and estimating volatilities and correlations. Hull (Joseph L. Rotman School of Management, U. of Toronto) assumes that the reader has taken introductory courses in finance and probability and statistics. The disk includes Excel-based software called DerivaGem which can be used to calculate options prices, imply volatilities, and calculate Greek letters for options and interest rate derivatives. For graduate and advanced undergraduate elective courses in business, economics, and financial engineering. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
One of the exciting developments in finance over the last 20 years has been the growth of derivatives markets. In many situations, both hedgers and speculators find it more attractive to trade a derivative on an asset than to trade the asset itself. Some derivatives are traded on exchanges. Others are traded by financial institutions, fund managers, and corporations in the over-the-counter market, or added to new issues of debt and equity securities. Much of this book is concerned with the valuation of derivatives. The aim is to present a unifying framework within all derivatives-not just options or futures-can be valued.