Book Description

"Barry Eichengreen has over the past decade raised the standard of the debate on Europe's monetary unification in a number of articles collected in this volume. He combines the skills of an econometrician with the accurate analysis and critical judgement of political decision process by an economic historian. By using the US experience of its currency union as a benchmark he has put challenging questions to European policy makers." -- Niels Thygesen, University of Copenhagen

The process of European monetary unification (EMU) is approaching a critical juncture. At the beginning of 1998 the member states of the European Union will decide whether or not to go ahead with their monetary union and determine which countries qualify as members. There is a high likelihood that Stage III of the Maastricht process--monetary union itself--will commence on January 1, 1999, and that a single currency, to be known as the Euro, will replace the national currencies of the founding member states at the beginning of 2002. Even if it is delayed, Stage III is likely to go forward soon thereafter.

Whether EMU is feasible and desirable is contested among economists and politicians alike. This book sheds light on the controversy by considering seven major aspects: (1) what the theory of optimum currency areas reveals about the EMU project, (2) how Europe compares with existing monetary unions such as the United States, (3) the crisis in the European monetary system and the feasibility of stabilizing exchange rates in the absence of monetary unification, (4) fiscal policy and EMU, (5) labor markets and EMU, (6) the connections between monetary and political union, and (7) EMU and the rest of the world.

The author views EMU as neither a grand achievement nor a terrible blunder, but as a process. He argues that the effects of monetary unification will depend on how it is structured and governed, and how quickly Europe's markets adapt to a single currency. The process of monetary unification will not end in 1999 or 2002; rather, the structure and operation of Europe's monetary union will continue to evolve for years to come. ... Read more

Book Description

Currency overlay has grown in parallel with the international diversification of institutional investment portfolios. Currency overlay mandates now cover around $100bn in assets, and 18 years since the first overlay mandate, currency overlay has now come of age.

Currency Overlay looks at all the components that make up an overlay mandate and the decisions and analysis leading up to it. It is written in an accessible style, designed for the interested asset manager, pension fund manager, investment consultant, trustee or student.

Many of the author's analyses start from first principles. Concepts important to the case are fully explained before utilising them, allowing the reader with no prior knowledge of the subject to exercise independent judgement. The author makes wide use of self-contained 'boxes' to illustrate and explain particular elements or concepts.

Currency Overlay covers, amongst other topics:

* The theoretical case for eliminating currency risk in international portfolios
* The interplay between asset returns and currency returns, and the effect of this on hedging decisions
* Benchmarks - their construction and strategic role
* Least-cost passive overlay
* The structure of the currency market, and its 'inefficiencies'
* Active overlay styles
* Active overlay both restricted and unrestricted (currency alpha)
... Read more

Book Description

This book takes a global approach, with an emphasis on North and Latin America respectfully, by discussing one of today's most controversial topics in business; Dollarization.With the collapse of the former Soviet Union, and the formation of the Euro in Europe, many countries and debating whether or not a common currency is in their best interest.This intriguing volume brings together the leading participants in the current dollarization debates.Many advocate the notion of a common currency, while others feel that in doing so will create financial costs for all that take part, with the severity varying from country to country. ... Read more

Book Description

This broad overview of swaps brings you the experience of prominent international authorities who explain how to effectively manage interest rate risk. ... Read more

Book Description

With the US dollar in decline for the past 20 years, this step-by-step guide to foreign investing--written by investment experts--is more timely than ever. Covers foreign currencies that have outperformed the dollar, starting a Swiss bank account, getting 20-30% return on foreign CDs, and more. ... Read more

Book Description

This book provides an integrated approach to recent developments in the understanding of foreign exchange markets. It covers the theory of efficient markets as developed in finance, and the models used to explain the movements of exchange rates in macroeconomics. The authors deal with the econometric estimation and testing of different models and theories of the foreign exchange market and macro-economy. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Somewhat Disappointing
I guess I was able to benefit from this book by default . . . I am intrigued by the topic. Goldstein provided satisfactory information to give the reader a conceptual understanding about how one would use offshore investments to protect assets, acheive greater privacy and avoid taxes, howerver, this was only provided in the last 4-chapters of the book. I am still trying to figure out which group of elementary school children he wrote the first 3-chapters for. The redundancy of the first half of the book, and its inability to better conceal what can only be described was a simplistic pep-rally to motivate the mentally challenged reader to go offsohre was boarderline insulting--more condescending than listening to Al Gore pay lip service to the middle class. If you have no conceptual understaning whatsoever of offshore investing, this is something you may want to pick up. As for myself, I am going to thank Mr. Goldstein for the introduction and the opportunity of spending $30 and move on to a more comprehensive and more specific work on the subject.

IF YOU LIKE TO SLEEP AT NIGHT
THIS BOOK GIVES YOU SIMPLE WAYS TO PRETECT YOU MONEY. PRETECT YOURSELF FORM LAWSUTES AND THE GOVERMENT. REQUIRED READING IF YOU WONT TO BULD WEALTH.

Wake Up! Protect Your Assets!
Not only has Dr. Goldstein provided a good overview of offshore depository alternatives in this book, but he has also sounded an effective siren of concern for everyone in our litigous society to take the necessary steps in ensuring every after-tax penny they have rightfully earned is protected from frivolous legal claims. Read it and consider the advice contained within!

Why Go Offshore?
Many Americans wonder why anyone would want to take their money offshore. Some might reason that with news of the Dow rising to record levels, inflation being tamed, the unemployment rate standing at its lowest level in six years and the federal deficit being down sharply, that there is no real reason to go offshore. In spite of all the national good news, there are many legitimate reasons for moving money offshore. In a nutshell, all these reasons are based on the fact that offshore rules are different from domestic ones.

Since the French Revolution, the wealthy have moved money offshore to safeguard their assets, to make a decent return, and to avoid paying taxes on their gains. There are currently some 218 jurisdictions that offer these and other special incentives to foreign investors, and many are among the best places on Earth to vacation. For example, the Caymans, three lush islands 475 miles from Miami, do not levy taxes on personal or corporate income, capital gains or your overall wealth. On top of that, the islands' financial-privacy laws can protect your assets from creditors and people who might sue you. It is indeed no wonder why the main street of this tropical paradise is lined with branches of banks from New York City, Amsterdam and Geneva.

The US government frowns on you relocating your money offshore. If everyone could invest abroad and in secrecy and never pay a dime in taxes the federal government would go broke even faster than it already is doing. It is in no way illegal to take your money offshore, even though the government has done its part to try to persuade you to not do so. Although several reporting requirements have been instituted by the government for those who do go offshore, several excellent strategies have been developed to minimize or eliminate them, and for that matter to also minimize any tax effects that such a move might entail.

Furthermore, US citizens are generally required to report income from offshore investments and to pay taxes on this income. Once again, numerous strategies have been developed to eliminate these reporting requirements so that the government will not tax your earnings at a higher rate than if your money had never left home. It is important to understand that this excessive taxation is the government's way to discourage citizens from moving funds offshore because when you move your money offshore, the government loses control.

Some strategies include elements such as chartering your own foreign bank, insurance company, corporation, or establishing a foundation or trust. An offshore corporation, bank, or insurance company is as much a legal entity as you are.

An unfortunate let-down.
This work is mostly a prep rally for investors who are considering offshore investing. To someone who is actively considering offshore investing, however, this book is a disappointment. I was hoping to see step-by-step instructions on opening offshore accounts, web sights, and legal case cites which regarded privacy rights and pro-taxpayer stances. Instead, the author goes on about 'how great it is' and 'why you should do it' with dark references to those conspiring against the wealthy. Further, this book (a 1995 publication) is already dated: certainly sophisticated offshore banks must have since set up secure websights for conducting business with customers (something deemed quite risky in the internet's infancy - i.e., 1995). In short: while of some value to the novice investor, those seeking a comprehensive resource need look elsewhere. ... Read more

Book Description

This volume is intended to provide a survey of thought about exchange-rate determination as it emerged in the decade of the 1970s. This survey differs from many, however, in that the field itself is in a state of rapid change. Understanding the changes and the reasons for them is therefore essential if the reader is to have a basis for understanding future advances in knowledge and the further evolution of the system. The survey is also intended to reach non-specialist professional economists whose balance-of-payments theory was learned before the 1970s, as well as to provide graduate students and advanced undergraduates with an up-to-date account of the field. In most respects, the theory of exchange-rate determination is based upon an analytical structure equivalent to that analyzing the determinants of the balance of payments under fixed exchange rates. The difference is that the shifts in excess demand for foreign exchange lead to quantity adjustments under fixed rates and price adjustment under flexible rates. Thus, attention turns first to exchange-rate, or balance-of-payments, determination. Thereafter formal analyses of differences and similarities between the functioning of the alternative systems are considered, reflecting the focus of the profession and the mainstream of research of this period. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

It's a classical.
It's the greatest book about Exchage Rate (ER) Determination, Krueger wrote an excellent classical book. This is a survey about the principal theories about the determination of ER, it's very easy to understand and important consults item. ... Read more

Book Description

Building on the scholarship of the highly successful 2003 volume, Dollar Overvaluation and the World Economy, this book assesses the progress that has been made to date in correcting the sizable misalignments of key national currencies that developed in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The book examines whether a dollar decline is needed for the United States and the rest of the world to achieve sustainable current account positions and what the impact of a major dollar realignment would be on economies around the world. It also features new ideas on the effectiveness of intervention in moving exchange rates in a desired direction. The book brings together perspectives from government, industry, and academia. ... Read more

Book Description

Most of the literature on exchange rate regimes has focused on the developed countries. Since the recent crises in emerging markets, however, attention has shifted to the choice of exchange rate regimes for developing countries, especially those that are more integrated into the world capital markets. In Too Sensational, W. Max Corden presents a systematic and accessible overview of the choice of exchange rate regimes. Reviewing many types of regimes, he shows how the choice of an exchange rate regime is related to both fiscal policy and trade policy.

Building on the theory of optimum currency areas, Corden develops an analytic framework of three approaches (nominal anchor, real targets, and exchange rate stability) and three polar exchange rate regimes (absolutely fixed, pure floating, and fixed but adjustable). He considers all other regimes to be mixtures of two or three of the polar regimes.

Beginning with theory and later turning to case studies of countries in Asia, Europe, and Latin America, Corden focuses on how economies react to negative and positive shocks under various exchange rate regimes. He examines in particular the Asian and Latin American currency crises of the 1990s. He concludes that although "too sensational" crises have discredited fixed but adjustable regimes, the extremes of absolutely fixed regimes or pure floating regimes need not be chosen. ... Read more

Book Description

Topics include: the structure of the foreign exchange markets, howcurrencies are traded, risk reduction, and risk exposure. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A comprehensive study of the international financial system
This book is excellent for challenging undergraduate courses as well as graduate courses in international finance. It has a unique mixture of theory, evidence and institutions. The theory is mainly delivered to you using a few equations and helpful diagrams. The "evidence" part accompanies each theoretical offering and usually takes the form of reporting the structure and results of empirical tests. As far as I know this is the only international finance text that gives so much insight into the econometrics of international finance. It is well known that MacDonald is an international expert in the econometrics of international finance, and the bibliography indicates that he has worked quite a lot with Hallwood investigating various propositions concerning the behaviour of pegged exchange rate regimes. One of the best features of the book is the way that the theory and evidence is used in the discussion of international institutions such as the operation of fixed and floating exchange rates, currency unions and development of the international financial architecture. There is also an extensive discussion of the main features of the history of international monetary systems. Finally the authors have made an effort to bring in some discussion of international finance in east Asia. Probably the book could have benefitted from more discussion of regional issues such as these. Even so there is quite a good theoretical discussion of dollarization in Latin America.

A leading text has just been updated.
We have tried hard to keep abreast of the literature in all of the main fields of international finance - theory, evidence, institutions and policy. As we believe that scholarship requires the scholar to know the sources of ideas - every idea having its own author(s), we have not spared the student the bother of knowing about the researchers and the generation of ideas in international money and finance. We cover 'recieved wisdom' as well as the important new developments in the field. The latter include such diverse subjects as theoretical innovations in the general equilibrium theory of exchange rate determination, explanations for the relative immobility of long-term capital alongside highly mobile short-term capital, the behavior of exchange rates within target zones, theories of the best course of financial integration of transition economies and developing countries into the circuit of international capital, explanations for why real exchange rates often diverge for long periods from purchasing power parity, how misinformed speculation and speculative bubbles can cause floating exchange rates to be unstable, new successful empirical methods for forecasting exchange rates, and a reassessment of the performance of the gold standard in the 19th century and its role in the Great Depression. This textbook-monograph - written for smart undergraduate and gradute students, is widely used on three continents (the Chinese translation appeared in 1996). And we know that is it used for course work at Ivy League universities in the US, and many universities throughout Europe. ... Read more

Book Description

If you're already trading in the global currency markets, you need more than a beginner's guide to understanding the markets. Electronic Currency Trading for Maximum Profit provides professional and individual traders alike with expert strategies and analyses for trading successfully in the global Forex and currency futures markets. In clear language but sophisticated detail, authors Keith Long and Kurt Walter show you how to master expert trading strategies used by the pros, choose and customize the best trading software, improve online trading execution, manage risk and maximize profits, and much more. Numerous graphs, charts, and screen shots give you a hands-on understanding of each trading lesson. With a comprehensive glossary, directory of online currency brokers, and an up-to-date guide of Internet resources, Electronic Currency Trading for Maximum Profit contains everything you need to improve your trading skills and deepen your understanding of the currency markets. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Disappointing
This was a huge disappointment. The book is simplistic, disjointed, and offers nothing that even a novice could use. It has a feeling of being written quickly to cash in on the forex trading phenomenon. Look elsewhere for advice in particular anything by Jack Schwager or by Wiley Press, they are usually excellent.

No stars would be a better rating...
If you have absolutely no knowledge of the Currency Markets then this book may be useful to you. The subtitle of the book is "Manage Risk and Reward in the Forex Markets by Learning How to:..."

Unfortunately, the overwhelming majority of the book is about Currency Futures and Options but NOT Forex.

Very dissapointed to have bought this book...
This book is not worth the paper that it is printed on. Author does not know the subject, and does not offer any information that could not easily have been obtained online for free. Tried to contact author at his website to answer question and never responded. Classic example of take the money and run. Will never buy a book again from these authors nor from Prima Publishing. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (1)

Outstanding
Roger Fisher, Director of the Harvard Negotiation Project and author of Getting to Yes, has written for the book jacket that The Global Negotiator "...is the best book I know to help business negotiators expand their skills to meet the needs of negotiating internationally." It is high praise and well deserved.

The author, Jeswald W. Salacuse, is the Henry J. Braker Professor of Law at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, and a member of the Steering Committee of the Harvard Program on Negotiations. Professor Salacuse has an extensive background in international negotiations. He has participated in negotiations involving persons from over forty countries, spent years living abroad and explored the field of global negotiations through research and teaching involving hundreds of international executives, lawyers and officials.

This is a guidebook about "making, managing, and mending international business transactions" (p.viii). Its aim, Professor Salacuse tells his reader, "...is to equip business executives, students, lawyers and government officials to navigate each of these stages effectively" (p.3).

Unlike most books on the art of negotiating, Professor Salacuse goes far beyond making the deal and gives careful attention to managing and repairing deals once made. It is, therefore, a work with special insight and value for the negotiator. Let us examine some of these insights.

The central issue in global negotiations, Professor Salacuse tells the reader, is about the nature of the deal itself. "Is it a contract or a relationship?" (p. 20).

The answer to this seemingly simple issue should be at the heart of the preparation for any negotiation. Alas, far too often, it is a topic casually addressed by negotiators. Ideally, it should be both a relationship and a contract in most deals.

In fact, however, in American practice the contract often takes the central focus. As unfortunate as this approach may be, its problems are amplified in an international arena in which the goal of a potential partner in a negotiation may be a relationship and the contract is secondary. Neglecting that core difference in expectations may not only destroy the possibility of reaching a deal, but also imperil the success of future fulfillment of any agreement reached by the parties. Without clarity on this matter, any agreement may be founded on the most fatal of flaws: the failure of the parties to have a meeting of the minds.

"A deal is a prediction. A negotiation is always about the future," Professor Salacuse states (p.62). It is a true statement about all deals whether local or global, but particularly significant in the cross-cultural environment.

The wise negotiator recognizes that negotiators are "inherently incapable of predicting all of the events and conditions that may affect their transactions in the future" (p.65). Additionally, due to resource constraints and cultural differences, the understandings and expectations of the parties are rarely capable of being fully captured in the written contract. Given these factors, Salacuse concludes, may be "more realistic to think of the transaction as a continuing negotiation" rather than a deal fixed in time. (pp.185-186).

"Various studies," Professor Salacuse writes, " have found that between 33 percent and 70 percent of international alliances surveyed eventually broke up" (p.194). Given this record, the author approaches international negotiations and agreements as encompassing three distinct, but closely related essential areas: making the deal, managing the deal and mending the deal. His approach is cross-cultural, practical and insightful.

The global negotiator will find a lengthy and thorough guide to preparing and negotiating international agreements. The author takes the reader through such matters as selecting the place for the negotiations to recognizing and managing the many cultural differences that will be encountered and need to be overcome in an international deal. We find advice on handling cultural barriers ranging from concepts of time and differences in styles to the structure of the deal itself.

Additionally, the author examines such critical matters as who's law will apply, dealing with foreign government officials at the table, and the complexities as moving money and sharing risk among the parties. It is a wide-ranging and complete exploration of the field.

Importantly, Professor Salacuse moves from negotiating the deal to examinations of managing and mending international agreements. Treated for clarity as separate sections, these topics are intended as elements to be explored and included in the negotiation of the basic agreement itself. How will the parties manage the relationship is a critical question. There is valuable advice on planning for this process in the second section of his work.

In the last section of his work, the author turns to the third vital area of global negotiations: deal mending and dispute resolution. If we know that disputes and changed circumstances are probable, then prudent negotiators need to include methods of handling these matters in their original agreement.

Professor Salacuse explores three types of renegotiations that are expectable in the life cycle of the deal: post deal, intra deal, extra deal (p.229). He then turns his attention to the need for the parties to plan and incorporate into the deal method for resolving disputes. Here, the author again provides a thorough discussion of the operation, benefits and disadvantages of the international dispute resolution options along a continuum ranging from negotiation through mediation to arbitration and finally to adjudication. It is a valuable review.

Readers will find a rich appendix section, including a top-notch global negotiator's checklist, a detailed primer on international business transactions and an extensive bibliography of suggested further reading.

Truly, as Roger Fisher concluded, "this is the best book" in its field.

My highest recommendation.

John D. Baker, Ph.D.
Editor, The Negotiator Magazine ... Read more

Book Description

There is a dearth of accurate information and analysis on China's economic/business infrastructure available to the investment community. Using his own experience and cases from the Asian press, Gamble shows, in no uncertain terms, the challenges of doing business in China, from real estate to joint ventures and beyond. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A Valuable Resource and Down-to-Earth Guide
I first became aware of China specialist William Gamble when I saw his comments earlier this fall in USA Today (of all places). Funny and frank, he's the rare investing expert who's made me laugh. So I picked up his highly readable book which also pulls no punches in precisely outlining and analyzing Chinese legal and economic structures. In explaining the Chinese market's myriad weak links, Gamble is direct, down-to-earth, systematic, involving, understandable, and persuasive. In this valuable, actionable text he effectively makes his case that these legal risks are real and relevant to international investors. When the egg breaks it will be messy. Having enjoyed and learned from it, I recommend this book without reservations.

I really enjoyed this book!
I wouldn't call it an "Investment" book in the usual sense, however it gave me new and valuable insights into the legal aspects of doing business, or investing in Mainland China.

There is much talk these days, about the coming China boom, but until now, no one seems to be discussing the additional risks of doing business in a region where contracts are often declared void on a politician's whim.

My own international dealings have been mostly in Western Europe, where the legal systems function in a way similiar to our own in the US. Mr Gamble makes clear that things work very differently in China, and that you ignore these differences at your peril.

I should add that "Investing in China" is an excellent refresher course on business law, and it's importance to the international investor. His writing is clear, and to the point, without being patronizing.

Not a heavy tome written for the legal professional, but rather a good read, written by a legal professional, for the rest of us.
Highly reccomended! Well worth your time.

A Must-Read for the China Trader
In his book "Investing in China", William Gamble has provided a thorough, thought-provoking and highly readable study of the subtle and not-so-subtle nuances of the Chinese legal and financial infrastructure and apparatus. This is a "how the Chinese system really works" (or doesn't work) guidebook that should be read by anyone contemplating an investment or business dealings in China. Gamble covers the spectrum of contracts, bankruptcy, real estate, securities, judges and lawyers in a work that is full of informative, interesting and intriguing information and anecdotes. Even if I wasn't interested in China trade, I would have enjoyed this book.

Mark Ellison, President
Seven Continents Media LLC ... Read more

Book Description

Recent theoretical developments in exchange rate economics have led to important new insights into the functioning of the foreign exchange market. The simple models of the 1970s, which could not withstand empirical evaluation, have been succeeded by more complex models that draw on theoretical work in such areas as the microstructure of financial markets and open economy macroeconomics. Additionally, new and powerful econometric techniques allow researchers to subject exchange rates to stronger empirical analysis.

This book discusses the divergent theoretical and empirical paradigms used today for setting and predicting exchange rates; the chapters reflect current debates in the field. Some chapters base their analyses on the theoretical framework of representative and fully informed rational agents; others are grounded in the hetereogeneity of agents who use different and incomplete sets of information. Still other chapters analyze empirical data to uncover the fundamental characteristics of exchange rates. Taken together, these competing analyses document the current state of exchange rate economics and point the way to a new consensus about how to predict and explain exchange rate movements. ... Read more