Handbook of Hybrid Instruments: Convertible Bonds, Preferred Shares, Lyons, Elks, Decs and Other Mandatory Convertible Notes [Hardcover]

Izzy Nelken (Editor)

Book Description

Series: Wiley Series in Financial Engineering | Publication Date: January 15, 2000

Hybrid instruments - essentially bonds with an equity component - are found in a multitude of guises. This generic heading encompasses a seemingly endless array of finance instruments, including convertible bonds, mandatory convertibles, reverse convertibles, preferred shares, ELKS, DECS and LYONs, Within each one of these instruments are found a wide range of variations and features. These include reset, negative pledge, screw and forced conversion clauses, as well as step up coupons, call schedules, call options with soft and hard protection, etc.

The range of possibilities can seem bewildering, but it is this very flexibility which proves a huge attraction for investors, issuers and financial institutions. On the sell side companies issue these securities and corporate service departments advise on the type of options to include in them. On the buy side, investment managers seek to build portfolios with limited risk exposure using these securities and hedge funds utilize arbitrage opportunities between the convertible bond and the common share.

The opportunities are endless but the seemingly labyrinthine complexities can prove daunting. The Handbook of Hybrid Instruments helps steer a clear path through the maze. Izzy Nelken has drawn together a team of experts to provide in-depth analysis of many o key issues that both sellers and buyers require in order to operate effectively and profitably.

A general introduction is followed by specific information on key clauses and variations, valuation methods, the impact on a firm's value following the public issuance of convertibles, details on when an issuer should call a convertible and the impact of these provisions on the price, the difficult requirement of input data to make sense of the models, indexes and reset convertibles. Finally, a highly useful glossary is provided of all the key terms used in this field.

The Handbook of Hybrid Instruments is an indispensable explanatory and analytical tool for all professionals looking for the latest thinking on convertibles from some of the world's leading experts.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Hybrid instruments, or convertibles, have a fascinating history. Originally created in 1881, by 1929 they made up 40% of debt issuance but during the Second World War they all but disappeared from the scene. Today - perhaps thanks to the risks of the well-publicized financial collapses seen over recent years - they have made a remarkable comeback and currently command a market of US$350 billion. Their low historical volatility and high historical returns when compared to alternative investments are a huge attraction to many investors. The secret of the success of hybrids lies in their inherent flexibility. They offer the investor the flexibility of a fixed income security combined with the opportunity to take advantage of any upside in the stock markets. This dual role therefore requires special techniques and tools in order to issue such securities successfully and also to be able to trade in them profitably and take advantage of arbitrage opportunities. The fact that these instruments are so flexible has also resulted in the spawning of a huge range of variations, with increasingly inventive names - reverse convertibles, DECS, PERQS, LYONs, ELKS, TOPrS to list only a few, Buried within each of these variations, a trader can also find a wide variety of specialist variations such as the screw clause, the negative pledge and the reset feature. Coupled to all these issues, there are also problems of valuation, tracking indexes of convertibles and the lack of significant input data with which to run models. The Handbook of Hybrid Instruments cuts a swathe through all these complexities and variations to provide an analytical and practical explanation of all the key issues surrounding convertibles from some of the world's leading experts. A general and comprehensive introduction to the topic is followed by chapters detailing the most recent developments in the market including valuation techniques, when and if a corporation should issue convertibles and the impact that may have on the stock price, the problems of input data, the analysis of convertible bond indexes, tax planning in the US using convertibles, and the issue of reset clauses. In addition, a detailed glossary of all the key terms and variations that pertain to hybrid instruments is provided.

From the Back Cover

An indispensable tool to steer readers thought the complex maze of hybrid instruments!

Hybrid instruments - essentially bonds with an equity component - are found in a multitude of guises. This generic heading encompasses a seemingly endless array of financial instruments, including convertible bonds, mandatory convertibles, reverse convertibles, preferred shares, ELKS, DECS and Lyons. Within each one of these instruments are found a wide range of variations and features. These include reset, negative pledge, screw and forced conversion clauses, as well as step up coupons, call schedules, call options with soft and hard protection etc.

The range of possibilities can seem bewildering, but it is this very flexibility which proves a huge attraction for investors, issuers and financial institutions. On the sell side companies issue these securities and corporate service departments advise on the type of options to include in them. On the buy side, investment managers seek to build portfolios with limited risk exposure using these securities and hedge funds utilise arbitrage opportunities between the convertible bond and the common share.

The opportunities are endless but the seemingly labyrinthine complexities can prove daunting. The Handbook of Hybrid Instruments helps steer a clear path through the maze. Izzy Nelken has drawn together a team of experts to provide in-depth analysis of many of the key issues that both sellers and buyers require in order to operate effectively and profitably.

A general introduction is followed by specific information on key clauses and variations, valuation methods, the impact on a firm's value following the public issuance of convertibles, details on when an issuer should call a convertible and the impact of these provisions on the price, the difficult requirement of input data to make sense of the models, indexes and reset convertibles. Finally, a highly useful glossary is provided of all the key terms used in this field.

The Handbook of Hybrid Instruments is an indispensable explanatory and analytical tool for all professionals looking for the latest thinking on convertibles from some of the world's leading experts.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 236 pages
• Publisher: Wiley (January 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471891142
• ISBN-13: 978-0471891147
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 1.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,944,234 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Don't Buy This Book! Unless reading the obvious is needed., February 27, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Handbook of Hybrid Instruments: Convertible Bonds, Preferred Shares, Lyons, Elks, Decs and Other Mandatory Convertible Notes (Hardcover)

This book is completely useless. From the view of a quant, the author merely states the highlights/features of various structured derivative products as described in the prospectus. This information is readily available on FreeEdgar. No insights are offered what so ever. His typical description of the valuation method consists of "Merrill has developed a model similar to ours[the author's]... The model takes into account volatility, interest rate, ..." And that's it.
On the topic of whether the issuer should early call, Mr. Nelken's "conclusions" range from calling when the market price is below call price, to at call price, to above call price, and finally to way above call price. This is done through summarizations of other researchers' reports. Again, no opinions or analysis; merely book reports.
And finally, the not-advertised-as-demo CD-ROM is as useful as a coaster on a camping trip. There's no user guide for operating instructions. Not that it is necessary since most functions are disabled in the demo. But there are links to files I don't have.