Francis and Kim review the works of a generation of financial economists and pull these together under a single set of mathematical conventions. Their writing style is easy-to-read and the chapters flow logically. The early chapters deal with the original material created by Markowitz, Tobin, and Sharpe whereas succeeding chapters deal with more recent developments. Readers who wish to avoid complex derivations and proofs may do so easily because the book is organized so this rigorous material is in the end-of-chapter appendices and footnotes. This work is comprehensive and accessible, and will reward either classroom or individual study. ―Harry Markowitz, Nobel Laureate, Professor of Economics and Finance
Modern portfolio theory (MPT), which was introduced by Harry Markowitz’s seminal paper “Portfolio Selection” over sixty years ago, has stood the test of time. Both his original theory and extensions made to the model by Professors James Tobin and Bill Sharpe have won Nobel Prizes. Today, MPT has grown to impact portfolio managers, financial service organizations, individual investors, and the finance and economics classrooms of universities around the world.
Building on three previous editions of the book Portfolio Analysis, of which coauthor Jack Clark Francis was an integral part, Modern Portfolio Theory skillfully provides a concise review of portfolio theory and offers new insights. It can help busy finance professionals stay current on the theoretical developments in their field and allow students to gain a solid foundation in what MPT encompasses.
Divided into six comprehensive parts, this reliable resource addresses various aspects of portfolio analysis by tracing the contributions made by different people in the decades since MPT was created. Along the way, it also explores new developments that may make MPT more valuable than ever. Topics that are discussed in detail include:
- Probability foundations
- Utility analysis
- Mean-variance portfolio analysis
- Non-mean-variance portfolio analysis
- Asset pricing models
- Implementation of portfolio theory
- Portfolio performance evaluations
And while this book uses mathematical and statistical explanations in its coverage of models and other subjects, the material is presented in way that is understandable to a wide range of readersfrom finance veterans to those just entering the fieldand supplemented with graphs.
The coauthors have also created several Excel spreadsheets that compute Markowitz efficient frontiers under various assumptions and circumstances. This user-friendly software is available online and can be easily downloaded. In addition, resources for professors can be found on Wiley’s Global Education website.
Engaging and accessible, Modern Portfolio Theory contains essential insights on this discipline and offers a comprehensive look at its foundations, evolution, and implementation in today’s dynamic world of finance.
From the Back Cover
Modern portfolio theory (MPT), which was introduced by Harry Markowitz’s seminal paper “Portfolio Selection” over sixty years ago, has stood the test of time. Both his original theory and extensions made to the model by Professors James Tobin and Bill Sharpe have won Nobel Prizes. Today, MPT has grown to impact portfolio managers, financial service organizations, individual investors, and the finance and economics classrooms of universities around the world.
Building on three previous editions of the book Portfolio Analysis, of which coauthor Jack Clark Francis was an integral part, Modern Portfolio Theory skillfully provides a concise review of portfolio theory and offers new insights. It can help busy finance professionals stay current on the theoretical developments in their field and allow students to gain a solid foundation in what MPT encompasses.
Divided into six comprehensive parts, this reliable resource addresses various aspects of portfolio analysis by tracing the contributions made by different people in the decades since MPT was created. Along the way, it also explores new developments that may make MPT more valuable than ever. Topics that are discussed in detail include:
- Probability foundations
- Utility analysis
- Mean-variance portfolio analysis
- Non-mean-variance portfolio analysis
- Asset pricing models
- Implementation of portfolio theory
- Portfolio performance evaluations
And while this book uses mathematical and statistical explanations in its coverage of models and other subjects, the material is presented in way that is understandable to a wide range of readers from finance veterans to those just entering the field and supplemented with graphs.
The coauthors have also created several Excel spreadsheets that compute Markowitz efficient frontiers under various assumptions and circumstances. This user-friendly software is available online and can be easily downloaded. In addition, resources for professors can be found on Wiley’s Global Education website.
Engaging and accessible, Modern Portfolio Theory contains essential insights on this discipline and offers a comprehensive look at its foundations, evolution, and implementation in today’s dynamic world of finance.
About the Author
JACK CLARK FRANCIS is Professor of Economics and Finance at Bernard M. Baruch College in New York City. His research focuses on investments, banking, and monetary economics, and he has had dozens of articles published in many refereed academic, business, and government journals. Dr. Francis was an assistant professor of finance at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Finance for five years and was a Federal Reserve economist for two years. He received his bachelor’s and MBA from Indiana University and earned his PhD in finance from the University of Washington in Seattle.
DONGCHEOL KIM is a Professor of Finance at Korea University in Seoul. He served as president of the Korea Securities Association and editor-in-chief of the Asia-Pacific Journal of Financial Studies. Previously, he was a finance professor at Rutgers University. Kim has published articles in Financial Management, the Accounting Review, Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, Journal of Economic Research, Journal of Finance, and Journal of the Futures Market.
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