This book focuses on modelling financial information flows and information-based asset pricing framework. After introducing the fundamental properties of the framework, it presents a short information-theoretic perspective with a view to quantifying the information content of financial signals, and links the present framework with the literature on asymmetric information and market microstructure by means of a dynamic, bipartite, heterogeneous agent network. Numerical and explicit analyses shed light on the effects of differential information and information acquisition on the allocation of profit and loss as well as the pace of fundamental price discovery. The dynamic programming method is used to seek an optimal strategy for utilizing superior information. Lastly, the book features an implementation of the present framework using real-world financial data.

The ability to create and understand financial models that assess the valuation of a company, the projects it undertakes, and its future earnings/profit projections is one of the most valued skills in corporate finance. However, while many business professionals are familiar with financial statements and accounting reports, few are truly proficient at building an accurate and effective financial model from the ground up. That's why, in The Financial Modeling Handbook, Jack Avon equips financial professionals with all the tools they need to precisely and effectively monitor a company's assets and project its future performance. Based on the author's extensive experience building models in business and finance—and teaching others to do the same—The Handbook of Financial Modeling takes readers step by step through the financial modeling process, starting with a general overview of the history and evolution of financial modeling. It then moves on to more technical topics, such as the principles of financial modeling and the proper way to approach a financial modeling assignment, before covering key application areas for modeling in Microsoft Excel. Designed for intermediate and advanced modelers who wish to expand and enhance their knowledge, The Handbook of Financial Modeling also covers: The accounting and finance concepts that underpin working financial models; How to approach financial issues and solutions from a modeler's perspective; The importance of thinking about end users when developing a financial model; How to plan, design, and build a fully functional financial model; And more. A nuts-to-bolts guide to solving common financial problems with spreadsheets, The Handbook of Financial Modeling is a one-stop resource for anyone who needs to build or analyze financial models. What you’ll learn Key financial modeling principles, including best practices, principles around calculations, and the importance of producing clean, clear financial models How to design and implement a projection model that allows the user to change inputs quickly for sensitivity testing The proper way to approach a financial modeling assignment, from project planning all the way through to the documentation of the model's findings and effectiveness How to model in Microsoft Excel, including how to set up an Excel environment, how to format worksheets, and the correct application of various modeling formulae The skills and knowledge they need to become more proficient financial modelers and differentiate themselves from their professional competitors. Who this book is for Written in a clear, concise manner and filled with screen grabs that will facilitate readers' comprehension of the financial modeling process, The Handbook of Financial Modeling is appropriate for intermediate to advanced financial modelers who are looking to learn how to enhance their modeling proficiency. Table of Contents Financial Modeling: An Overview Financial Modeling Best Practices Modeling Functions and Tools Planning Your Model Testing and Documenting Your Model Designing and Building Your Model The Model User: Inputs An Introduction to Finance and Accounting for Modelers Managing and Evaluating a Business for Modelers The Implications and Rules of Accounting for Modelers Financial Based Calculations Logical and Structural Based Calculations How to Capture Document and Track Assumptions in Your Model Modeling to Give the User Transparency Model Testing and Auditing Modeling Handover Dos and Don'ts. Case Study: Building a Full Life Cycle Model Additional Tools and VBA for Financial Models What is the Future of Financial Modeling? Keyboard Shortcuts Finance and Accounting Glossary Readymade Functions Sample Outputs Housekeeping References

The essential premise of this book is that theory and practice are equally important in describing financial modeling. In it the authors try to strike a balance in their discussions between theories that provide foundations for financial models and the institutional details that provide the context for applications of the models. The book presents the financial models of stock and bond options, exotic options, investment grade and high-yield bonds, convertible bonds, mortgage-backed securities, liabilities of financial institutions--the business model and the corporate model. It also describes the applications of the models to corporate finance. Furthermore, it relates the models to financial statements, risk management for an enterprise, and asset/liability management with illiquid instruments. The financial models are progressively presented from option pricing in the securities markets to firm valuation in corporate finance, following a format to emphasize the three aspects of a model: the set of assumptions, the model specification, and the model applications. Generally, financial modeling books segment the world of finance as "investments," "financial institutions," "corporate finance," and "securities analysis," and in so doing they rarely emphasize the relationships between the subjects. This unique book successfully ties the thought processes and applications of the financial models together and describes them as one process that provides business solutions. Created as a companion website to the book readers can visit www.thomasho.com to gain deeper understanding of the book's financial models. Interested readers can build and test the models described in the book using Excel, and they can submit their models to the site. Readers can also use the site's forum to discuss the models and can browse server based models to gain insights into the applications of the models. For those using the book in meetings or class settings the site provides Power Point descriptions of the chapters. Students can use available question banks on the chapters for studying.

A properly structured financial model can provide decision makers with a powerful planning tool that helps them identify the consequences of their decisions before they are put into practice. Introduction to Financial Models for Management and Planning enables professionals and students to learn how to develop and use computer-based models for financial planning. Providing critical tools for the financial toolbox, this volume shows how to use these tools to build successful models. Placing a strong emphasis on the structure of models, the book focuses on developing models that are consistent with the theory of finance and, at the same time, are practical and usable. The authors introduce powerful tools that are imperative to the financial management of the operating business. These include interactive cash budgets and pro forma financial statements that balance even under the most extreme assumptions, valuation techniques, forecasting techniques that range from simple averages to time series methods, Monte Carlo simulation, linear programming, and optimization. The tools of financial modeling can be used to solve the problems of planning the firm’s investment and financing decisions. These include evaluating capital projects, planning the financing mix for new investments, capital budgeting under capital constraints, optimal capital structure, cash budgeting, working capital management, mergers and acquisitions, and constructing efficient security portfolios. While the primary emphasis is on models related to corporate financial management, the book also introduces readers to a variety of models related to security markets, stock and bond investments, portfolio management, and options. This authoritative book supplies broad-based coverage and free access to @Risk software for Monte Carlo simulation, making it an indispensible text for professionals and students in financial management. Please contact customer service for access to the software if your copy of the book does not contain this information.

Written to bridge the gap between foundational quantitative finance and market practice, this book goes beyond the basics covered in most textbooks by presenting content concerning actual industry norms, thus resulting in a clearer picture of the field for the readers. These include, for instance, the practitioner's perspective of how local versus stochastic volatility affects forward smile, or the implications of mean reversion on forward volatility.Key considerations for modelling in rates, equities and foreign exchange are presented from the perspective of common themes across various assets, as well as their individual characteristics.The discussion on models emphasizes the key aspects that are relevant to the pricing of different types of financial derivatives, so that the reader can observe how an appropriate choice of models is essential in reflecting the risk profile and hedging considerations for different products.With the knowledge gleaned from this book, readers will attain a more comprehensive understanding of market practice in derivatives modelling.

Learn to create and understand financial models that assess the value of your company, the projects it undertakes, and its future earnings/profit projections. Follow this step-by-step guide organized in a quick-read format to build an accurate and effective financial model from the ground up. In this short book, The Basics of Financial Modeling—an abridgment of the Handbook of Financial Modeling—author Jack Avon equips business professionals who are familiar with financial statements and accounting reports to become truly proficient. Based on the author's extensive experience building models in business and finance, and teaching others to do the same, this book takes you through the financial modeling process, starting with a general overview of the history and evolution of financial modeling. It then moves on to more technical topics, such as the principles of financial modeling and the proper way to approach a financial modeling assignment, before covering key application areas for modeling in Microsoft Excel. What You'll Learn Understand the accounting and finance concepts that underpin working financial models Approach financial issues and solutions from a modeler's perspective Think about end users when developing a financial model Plan, design, and build a financial model Who This Book Is For Beginning to intermediate modelers who wish to expand and enhance their knowledge of using Excel to build and analyze financial models