Using Economic Indicators to Improve Investment Analysis, Third Edition [Hardcover]

Evelina M. Tainer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 10, 2006 | ISBN-10: 0471740969 | ISBN-13: 978-0471740964 | Edition: 3rd

"A virtual bible of how economic indicators are constructed and used. Important tidbits of history are mixed with present-day nuances to explain why we should care about all the economic indicators."
?Allen Grommet, Senior Economist, Cambridge Consumer Credit Index

"This book is an indispensable resource for anyone that wants a practical understanding of the economy and how it is measured. The information is clear, concise, and will help investors at all levels leverage the vast amount of economic data available."
?Jesse Harriott, PhD, Vice President of Research, Monster Worldwide, Inc.

This updated guide to economic indicators -- what they are and what they really mean -- covers all major economic indicators, from GDP to the consumer price index. You'll not only learn what key economic measurements are and how to read and interpret them, you'll discover how to use them to make better, more-informed financial, trading, and investing decisions.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Evelina Tainer has created the ultimate guidebook for market watchers and investors. I never keep it more than an arm's-length away. I also encourage my students to read the book, as it provides an invaluable link between economic theory and its application to the real world." -Maureen J. Maguire, Senior Economist and Principal, NationsBanc Montgomery Securities LLC Lecturer, University of California Extension Program, UC at Berkeley

"Using Economic Indicators to Improve Investment Analysis is a must for any journalist, investor, or student seeking to interpret macroeconomic data. Tainer anticipates basic questions and provides clear, thorough answers while explaining industry-specific jargon. The well-organized format makes her guide an easy-to-use reference tool." -Kristi Barenburg, Reporter, Dow Jones Newswires

Evelina Tainer has produced the definitive user-friendly guide to understanding and using what is arguably the most important body of information for investors in the United States. It is required reading for everyone at Market News Service. For those looking to make intelligent investment decisions, the information in this book is essential." -Michael J. Conner, CEO, Market New Service, Inc.

Praise for the First Edition of Using Economic Indicators to Improve Investment Analysis "The complexity of Tainer's subject matter should not discourage even small investors from studying her work. She is on the mark in describing each of the economic indicators and the typical reactions in financial markets. This book will prove especially valuable for money managers, who might well refer to it almost daily, as government reports flow in. -The Chicago Tribune --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Publisher

A comprehensive guide to the major economic indicators and their role in determining investment strategies. Each chapter describes one sector of the economy, which encompasses various economic indicators. Fully describes each indicator and the financial market reaction to it. Provides specific advice on applying changes in the indicator to investment planning. Discusses economic reports which have a bearing on financial conditions and how to utilize them beneficially. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 338 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 3rd edition (March 10, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471740969
• ISBN-13: 978-0471740964
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #963,150 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Perfect Complement to an academic finance text!, December 29, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Using Economic Indicators to Improve Investment Analysis, 2nd Edition (Hardcover)

Anticipating a number of delays while traveling over the holidays recently, I picked up a few books from Amazon.com; one I never put down.

Dr. Evelina Tainer has managed, in a succinct manner, to offer academicians (particularly those without practical experience in the world of finance)a way to communicate ideas to students that is compelling and interesting.

I more carefully read about her background only after finishing her book. It make perfect sense that this book was written by an author who has worked in both academic and professional circles. Dr. Tainer integrates material from both perspectives in a meaningful way.

I was particularly fond of the "Did you know" sections where Dr. Tainer fine-tunes a specific notion or concept.

Her discussion of "Seasonal Adjustment" helped to clarify a nubmer of questions that once clouded my understanding.

Academic texts rarely allocate space (for obvious reasons) to details regarding economic indicators. This is where Dr. Tainer's book picks up to bring to light the relevance of the indicators to investment analysis.

I can readily see how Dr. Tainer's, "Using Economic Indicators to Improve Investment Analysis," would be a welcome text in the classroom -- as a stand alone text for an elective course or as supplement to other required texts. I think that students will take to its lucid approach.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bringing theory to life - an easy read, October 31, 2001

By 

Max Perez (Puerto Rico) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Using Economic Indicators to Improve Investment Analysis, 2nd Edition (Hardcover)

This is not only an excellent reference source, but also a very interesting book. People who are not experts in the fields of economics or finance will have no problem grasping the concepts. I keep it in the office for reference and from time to time pick it up to read up on different topics. I've been impressed with Tainer's ability to make these concepts so easy to understand. Her "Did you know? and Market Reaction" sections are also very interesting and provide an inside view as to how government policymakers and financial marketmakers shape the economy in ways that are very relevant to the average consumer. I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a good reference book or wants to complement his studies in this field. I think that college students can benefit a great deal from it. For those of you who watch CNBC or CNNfn constantly, you stand to benefit the most from a book like this as it will not only teach you the cause and effect of important economic indicators that are put on the screen on a daily basis, but what's more important, the reasons why they impact the economy and the markets the way they do.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fairly Good Introduction, July 11, 2006

By 

N. Demir Kupeli (Ankara, Turkey) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Using Economic Indicators to Improve Investment Analysis, Third Edition (Hardcover)

From my point of view, this book consists of three parts. Part one, that is, Chapters 1-6, devoted to national accounts and their indicators. Part two, that is, Chapters 7-9, devoted to inflation and inflation related labor and production indicators, and finally part three, Chapters 10-11, is devoted to the central bank and treasury systems. The investment analysis part of this book seems to be the market reaction parts mentioned at the end of each section. Yet they seem to me a little too simplistic for the real world. In the real world, we mostly observe growth cycles rather than business cycles. In other words, business cycle recessions rather than growth cycle recessions are depicted in market reaction parts in this book. Nevertheless this is a good streetwise ECON 101 book. As a final note; although not updated, its second edition seems to me better.