Covering the same topics found in more advanced-level texts, Investments incorporates minimal math and is much more student-friendly, resulting in an increased excitement for and understanding of the basic investment course material. It is the text of choice for the College of Financial Planning. It includes a strong focus on the individual financial planner and features a ?Financial Advisor?s Investment Case? at the end of each chapter. These short cases illustrate how text material applies to real investment decisions. Financial calculators are introduced and utilized throughout the text with explanations employing both interest tables and the calculator. It is also ideal for non-majors courses.

Author and educator Dr. Herbert Mayo has written several successful books focused on finance issues and investment opportunities. Dr. Mayo currently teaches finance at The College of New Jersey and serves as director of accreditation. He earned his Ph.D. from Rutgers University and his undergraduate degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Married with three children, Dr. Mayo resides in rural New Jersey where he enjoys classical music, the piano, Welsh Pembroke Corgis, and gardening. He also serves on the board of trustees of the Opera Festival of New Jersey.

PART I. THE ENVIRONMENT OF INVESTING. 1. An Introduction to Investments. 2. The Creation of Financial Assets. 3. Security Markets. 4. Sources of Information. 5. The Time Value of Money. 6. The Tax Environment. 7. Risk and Portfolio Management. 8. Investment Companies. PART II. INVESTING IN COMMON STOCK. 9. The Valuation of Common Stock. 10. The Return on Common Stock Investments. 11. Dividends: Past, Present, and Future. 12. The Macroeconomic Environment for Investment Decisions. 13. Security Selection: Analysis of Financial Statements. 14. Technical Analysis. PART III. INVESTING IN FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES. 15. The Bond Market. 16. The Valuation of Fixed-Income Securities. 17. Government Securities. 18. Convertible Bonds and Convertible Preferred Stock. PART IV. DERIVATIVES. 19. An Introduction to Options. 20. Option Valuation and Strategies. 21. Commodity and Financial Futures. PART V. PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT. 22. Investing in Foreign Securities. 23. Investing in Nonfinancial Assets: Collectibles, Resources, and Real Estate. 24. Portfolio Planning and Management. Appendix A: Mathematical Tables. Appendix B: Answers to Selected Problems.