Business leaders are frequently faced with investment decisions on new and ongoing projects. The challenge lies in deciding what projects to choose, expand, contract, defer, or abandon, and which method of valuation to use is the key tool in the process. This title presents a step-by-step, practical approach to real options valuation to make it easily understandable by practitioners as well as senior management. This systematic approach to project valuation helps you minimize upfront investment risks, exercise flexibility in decision making, and maximize the returns. Whereas the traditional decision tools such as discounted cash flow/net present value (DCF/NPV) analysis assume a “fixed” path ahead, real options analysis offers more flexible strategies. Considered one of the greatest innovations of modern finance, the real options approach is based on Nobel-prize winning work by three MIT economists, Fischer Black, Robert Merton, and Myron Scholes.

The purpose of this text is to explain the theories of option pricing, and to apply those theories to real world decision-making. There is a seamless mix of theory and practice. The theories are described and explained in an easy-to-read and understandable manner, and then applied'using various cases and real world situations'to the practical world. Competitive books in this course area are generally not formatted as textbooks with no pedagogy at all.

Examines the ways in which real options theory can contribute to strategic management. This volume offers conceptual pieces that trace out pathways for the theory to move forward and presents research on the implications of real options for strategic investment, organization, and firm performance.

Explores real option theory applied in practice Real options are quickly becoming the valuation and decision-making method of choice for many companies, including oil and gas companies, utilities and natural resource companies, pharmaceutical and biotech companies, Internet companies, and many others. Real Options in Practice allows readers to view the world of real options from the vantage point of a corporate practitioner applying real option valuation techniques on a regular basis. Expert Marion Brach describes the challenges of implementing a real option framework in practice within a corporate setting. Touching on the real options most firms care about, Real Options in Practice identifies the classic types of real options-deferral, abandonment, switching, expansion, and compound-and explores the main concepts critical to understanding real option theory. Through Brach's own three-step real option valuation method readers will learn how the theory of real options is now being applied to drive better, more profitable corporate decision-making. Marion A. Brach, MD, MBA (Hagen, Germany), has undertaken financial valuation of business opportunities and acquisitions using scenario and real option valuation in the biotech industry. A recognized expert on real option theory and practice, Brach received her MBA from the Manchester Business School and frequently speaks at real option seminars.

"Mun demystifies real options analysis and delivers a powerful, pragmatic guide for decision-makers and practitioners alike. Finally, there is a book that equips professionals to easily recognize, value, and seize real options in the world around them." --Jim Schreckengast, Senior VP, R&D Strategy, Gemplus International SA, France Completely revised and updated to meet the challenges of today's dynamic business environment, Real Options Analysis, Second Edition offers you a fresh look at evaluating capital investment strategies by taking the strategic decision-making process into consideration. This comprehensive guide provides both a qualitative and quantitative description of real options; the methods used in solving real options; why and when they are used; and the applicability of these methods in decision making.

Trading and Pricing Financial Derivatives is an introduction to the world of futures, options, and swaps. Investors who are interested in deepening their knowledge of derivatives of all kinds will find this book to be an invaluable resource. The book is also useful in a very applied course on derivative trading. The authors delve into the history of options pricing; simple strategies of options trading; binomial tree valuation; Black-Scholes option valuation; option sensitivities; risk management and interest rate swaps in this immensely informative yet easy to comprehend work. Using their vast working experience in the financial markets at international investment banks and hedge funds since the late 1990s and teaching derivatives and investment courses at the Master's level, Patrick Boyle and Jesse McDougall put forth their knowledge and expertise in clearly explained concepts. This book does not presuppose advanced mathematical knowledge, though it is presented for completeness for those that may benefit from it, and is designed for a general audience, suitable for beginners through to those with intermediate knowledge of the subject.

Praise for Real Options Analysis Course "Dr. Mun's latest book is a logical extension of the theory and application presented in Real Options Analysis. More specifically, the Real Options Analysis Course presents numerous real options examples and provides the reader with step-by-step problem-solving techniques. After having read the book, readers will better understand the underlying theory and the opportunities for applying real option theory in corporate decision-making." -Chris D. Treharne, President, Gibraltar Business Appraisals, Inc. "This text provides an excellent follow up to Dr. Mun's first book, Real Options Analysis. The cases in Real Options Analysis Course provide numerous examples of how the use of real options and the Real Options Analysis Toolkit software can assist in the valuation of strategic and managerial flexibility in a variety of arenas." -Charles T. Hardy, PhD, Chief Financial Officer & Director of Business Development, Panorama Research, Inc. "Most of us come to real options from the perspective of our own areas of expertise. Mun's great skill with this book is in making real options analysis understandable, relevant, and immediately applicable to the field within which you are working." -Robert Fourt, Partner, Gerald Eve (UK) "Mun provides a practical step-by-step guide to applying simulation and real options analysis-invaluable to those of us who are no longer satisfied with conventional valuation approaches alone." -Fred Kohli, Head of Portfolio Management, Syngenta Crop Protection Ltd. (Switzerland)