Investments (6th Edition) (Paperback)

by William Sharpe (Author), Gordon J. Alexander (Author), Jeffrey W Bailey (Author) "This book is about investing in marketable securities..." (more)
Key Phrases: New York, United States, First Fund (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
KEY BENEFIT: This book provides a solid theoretical framework around which to build practical knowledge of securities and securities markets. KEY TOPICS: It offers a balanced presentation of theory and practice as it explains to readers the essentials of prominent investment concepts. Just as importantly, it illustrates how those concepts are applied by professional investors. Further, the book reviews a wide range of empirical studies that connects the academic to the practitioner. Numerous examples enhance readers' understanding of important ideas. The Sixth Edition distills the growing complexity of the investment environment, enumerating and describing today's various securities and markets in a clear, concise manner and integrating discussions of new investment management techniques.

From the Publisher
This book provides a solid theoretical framework around which to build practical knowledge of securities and securities markets. It offers a balanced presentation of theory and practice and it explains to students the essentials of prominent investment concepts. Just as importantly, it explains how those concepts are applied by professional investors. Further, the book reviews a wide range of empirical studies that connect the academic to the practitioner. Numerous examples enhance students' understanding of important ideas. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 962 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 6 edition (October 30, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0130101303
• ISBN-13: 978-0130101303
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 4 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #248,670 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just a great book -- a must read, June 11, 2000

By	Jay Liebowitz (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I've read a lot of popular books about investing. Some of them were helpful in introducing me to investing in general. I decided, however, that I wanted a more thorough knowledge of the subject. I bought "The Portable MBA in Investment" by Peter Bernstein and found it utterly incomprehensible. If I wanted to be well-grounded in investing, this was unacceptable.

I borrowed Sharpe's text from the library and have been blasting through it for the past few days. It isn't an easy text; anyone who wants to tackle the subject should have some background in math and statistics. And I would suggest that people be at least somewhat familiar with investing. Otherwise, they may be turned off completely by the stuff. Once you're ready to go, though, make sure you read Sharpe's book first.

I've sampled other texts, and Sharpe's is the clearest and most relevant. Nothing is omitted. Everything from factor models to reading stock tables is included. The book is extremely well-written. Most of the material is presented simply. For example, the formulas are illustrated with examples that make understanding infinitely easier. And each chapter has a sidebar called "Institutional Issues" which puts a real-world spin on the chapter's subject matter. An invaluable book for the serious investor.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Textbook!, September 29, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Investments (Hardcover)

This is a great textbook for people who want to find their careers in investment finance area. It does not need very sophisticated maths knowledge to read this book. The scope is very broad, ranging from security analysis to portfolio management theories. For people already in this area, it is a good reference book.

21 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Think well, before buying this book., February 6, 2002

By A Customer

What will you learn from this book?

A lot of financial concepts, instruments and products.
If you do not know anything about financial markets, this is the book!!!!

Is it enough? NO, it is not enough even for a beginner. Why? Because it does not tell you how to think in financial terms, and mainly how to make up your portfolio.

Yes, lots of graphs, figures, nice words, you think you are learning finance, but suddenly you realize that actually you know nothing and that you read a lot of vain pages. Unfortunately, you will be in the end of the book.

If want to know how to implement the models presented in the book, or even if you want a book that says the same thing that Sharpe's but in less pages, consider:

- Modern Investment Theory by Robert A. Haugen; or
- Modern Portfolio Theory and Investment Analysis by Edwin J. Elton, Martin J. Gruber.