Magic Numbers for Bonds and Derivatives

Book excerpt: The third book in the top-selling Magic Numbers series clarifies the key concepts and formulas of finance Magic Numbers for Bonds and Derivatives takes difficult financial concepts and breaks them down into easily understandable formulas that can be readily applied by finance professionals and individual investors. It examines key ratios and concepts for assessing bond investments from conventional to index-linked bonds, along with commonly used derivatives including futures, options, warrants, and convertibles. Ratios and concepts are described in detail, with guidelines on where to find the data needed to actually calculate them. The author includes explanations of compounding and discounting, internal rates of return, accrued interest, yield curves and spreads, duration, convexity, default rates, and more.