Donald R. Chambers

Keith H. Black

CAIA Association

Hossein Kazemi

In-depth Level II exam preparation direct from the CAIA Association CAIA Level II is the official study guide for the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst professional examination, and an authoritative guide to working in the alternative investment sphere. Written by the makers of the exam, this book provides in-depth guidance through the entire exam agenda; the Level II strategies are the same as Level I, but this time you'll review them through the lens of risk management and portfolio optimisation. Topics include asset allocation and portfolio oversight, style analysis, risk management, alternative asset securitisation, secondary market creation, performance and style attribution and indexing and benchmarking, with clear organisation and a logical progression that allows you to customise your preparation focus. This new third edition has been updated to align with the latest exam, and to reflect the current practices in the field. The CAIA designation was developed to provide a standardized knowledge base in the midst of explosive capital inflow into alternative investments. This book provides a single-source repository of that essential information, tailored to those preparing for the Level II exam. Measure, monitor and manage funds from a risk management perspective Delve into advanced portfolio structures and optimisation strategies Master the nuances of private equity, real assets, commodities and hedge funds Gain expert insight into preparing thoroughly for the CAIA Level II exam The CAIA Charter programme is rigorous and comprehensive, and the designation is globally recognised as the highest standard in alternative investment education. Candidates seeking thorough preparation and detailed explanations of all aspects of alternative investment need look no further than CAIA Level II.

CAIA Level II

Alternative Investments

Mark J. P. Anson

"CAIA Association has developed two examinations that are used to certify Chartered Alternative Investment Analysts. The Level I curriculum builds a foundation in both traditional and alternative investment markets--for example, the range of statistics that are used to define investment performance as well as the many types of hedge fund strategies. The readings for the Level II exam focus on the same strategies, but change the context to one of risk management and portfolio optimization. Level I CAIA exam takers have to work through an outline of terms, be able to identify and describe aspects of financial markets, develop reasoning skills, and in some cases make computations necessary to solve business problems"--

An Introduction to Core Topics in Alternative Investments

CAIA Level I

Qin Lu

This book’s primary objective is to educate aspiring finance professionals about mathematics and computation in the context of financial derivatives. The authors offer a balance of traditional coverage and technology to fill the void between highly mathematical books and broad finance books. The focus of this book is twofold: To partner mathematics with corresponding intuition rather than diving so deeply into the mathematics that the material is inaccessible to many readers. To build reader intuition, understanding and confidence through three types of computer applications that help the reader understand the mathematics of the models. Unlike many books on financial derivatives requiring stochastic calculus, this book presents the fundamental theories based on only undergraduate probability knowledge. A key feature of this book is its focus on applying models in three programming languages –R, Mathematica and EXCEL. Each of the three approaches offers unique advantages. The computer applications are carefully introduced and require little prior programming background. The financial derivative models that are included in this book are virtually identical to those covered in the top financial professional certificate programs in finance. The overlap of financial models between these programs and this book is broad and deep.

With Computer Applications

Introduction to Financial Mathematics

Nelson J. Lacey

"The second edition of Modern Corporate Finance: Theory and Practice combines a forward-looking vision of corporate finance with the tried and true practices of the past. This text emphasizes the modernist movement in finance, which is based on systematic methodology with an emphasis on deductive reasoning and empirical validation. The modernist movement produces a market-value-based approach to finance that emphasizes shareholder wealth maximization, options, and agency relationships. This movement has expanded without question, the frontiers of knowledge in finance. Until Modern Corporate Finance: Theory and Practice, instructors have lacked a framework from which to teach these concepts at the introductory level."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Theory and Practice

Modern Corporate Finance

Hossein B. Kazemi

Alternative Investments: CAIA Level I, 4th Edition is the curriculum book for the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) Level I professional examination. Covering the fundamentals of the alternative investment space, this book helps you build a foundation in alternative investment markets. You'll look closely at the different types of hedge fund strategies and the range of statistics used to define investment performance as you gain a deep familiarity with alternative investment terms and develop the computational ability to solve investment problems. From strategy characteristics to portfolio management strategies, this book contains the core material you will need to succeed on the CAIA Level I exam. This updated fourth edition tracks to the latest version of the exam and is accompanied by the following ancillaries: a workbook, study guide, learning objectives, and an ethics handbook.

The official study text for the Level I Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) exam The Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designation is the financial industry's first and only globally recognized program that prepares professionals to deal with the ever-growing field of alternative investments. The second edition of CAIA Level I: An Introduction to Core Topics in Alternative Investments contains comprehensive insights on the alternative investment issues a potential Level I candidate would need to know about as they prepare for the exam. The information found here will help you build a solid foundation in alternative investment markets—with coverage of everything from the characteristics of various strategies within each alternative asset class to portfolio management concepts central to alternative investments. Uses investment analytics to examine each alternative asset class Examines quantitative techniques used by investment professionals Addresses the unique attributes associated with the alternative investment space Offers an online study guide outlining learning objectives and keywords This book is a must-have resource for anyone contemplating taking the CAIA Level I exam. So if you're ready to take your first step toward the CAIA charter, take the time to understand the insights offered here.

An Introduction to Core Topics in Alternative Investments, Print + eBook

Whether you are a seasoned professional looking to explore new areas within the alternative investment arena or a new industry participant seeking to establish a solid understanding of alternative investments, Alternative Investments: An Allocator's Approach, Fourth Edition (CAIA Level II curriculum official text) is the best way to achieve these goals. In recent years, capital formation has shifted dramatically away from public markets as issuers pursue better financial and value alignment with ownership, less onerous and expensive regulatory requirements, market and information dislocation, and liberation from the short-term challenges that undergird the public capital markets. The careful and informed use of alternative investments in a diversified portfolio can reduce risk, lower volatility, and improve returns over the long-term, enhancing investors' ability to meet their investment outcomes. Alternative Investments: An Allocator's Approach (CAIA Level II curriculum official text) is a key resource that can be used to improve the sophistication of asset owners and those who work with them. This text comprises the curriculum, when combined with supplemental materials available at caia.org, for the CAIA Level II exam. "Over the course of my long career one tenet has held true, 'Continuing Education'. Since CalSTRS is a teachers' pension plan, it is no surprise that continuing education is a core attribute of our Investment Office culture. Overseeing one of the largest institutional pools of capital in the world requires a cohesive knowledge and understanding of both public and private market investments and strategies. We must understand how these opportunities might contribute to delivering on investment outcomes for our beneficiaries. Alternative Investments: An Allocator's Approach is the definitive core instruction manual for an institutional investor, and it puts you in the captain's chair of the asset owner." —Christopher J. Ailman, Chief Investment Officer, California State Teachers’ Retirement System "Given their diversified cash flow streams and returns, private markets continue to be a growing fixture of patient, long-term portfolios. As such, the need to have proficiency across these sophisticated strategies, asset classes, and instruments is critical for today's capital allocator. As a proud CAIA charterholder, I have seen the practical benefits in building a strong private markets foundation, allowing me to better assist my clients." —Jayne Bok, CAIA, CFA, Head of Investments, Asia, Willis Tower Watson

An Allocator's Approach

Alternative Investments: A Primer for Investment Professionals provides an overview of alternative investments for institutional asset allocators and other overseers of portfolios containing both traditional and alternative assets. It is designed for those with substantial experience regarding traditional investments in stocks and bonds but limited familiarity regarding alternative assets, alternative strategies, and alternative portfolio management. The primer categorizes alternative assets into four groups: hedge funds, real assets, private equity, and structured products/derivatives. Real assets include vacant land, farmland, timber, infrastructure, intellectual property, commodities, and private real estate. For each group, the primer provides essential information about the characteristics, challenges, and purposes of these institutional-quality alternative assets in the context of a well-diversified institutional portfolio. Other topics addressed by this primer include tail risk, due diligence of the investment process and operations, measurement and management of risks and returns, setting return expectations, and portfolio construction. The primer concludes with a chapter on the case for investing in alternatives.

Donald R. Chambers

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