Predicting Presidential Elections and Other Things or Corporate Finance

Predicting Presidential Elections and Other Things

Author: Ray C Fair

What do the following events have in common? In 2000, the election between George W. Bush and Al Gore was a virtual tie. The 1989 and 1990 vintages have turned out to be two of the best ever for Bordeaux wines. In 2001, the Federal Reserve lowered the interest rate eleven times. The decade of the 1970s was one of the worst on record for U.S. inflation. In 2001, the author of this book, at age 59, ran a marathon in 3 hours and 30 minutes, but should have been able to do it in 3 hours and 15 minutes.

This book shows clearly and simply how these diverse events can be explained by using the tools of the social sciences and statistics. It moves from a discussion of formulating theories about real world phenomena to lessons on how to analyze data, test theories, and make predictions. Through the use of a rich array of examples, the book demonstrates the power and range of social science and statistical methods.

In addition to “big” topics—presidential elections, Federal Reserve behavior, and inflation—and “not quite so big” topics—wine quality—the book takes on questions of more direct, personal interest. Who of your friends is most likely to have an extramarital affair? How important is class attendance for academic performance in college? How fast can you expect to run a race or perform some physical task at age 55, given your time at age 30? (In other words, how fast are you slowing down?) As the author works his way through an incredibly broad range of questions and topics, demonstrating the usefulness of statistical theory and method, he gives the reader a new way of thinking about many age-old concerns inpublic and private life.

Booknews

In addition to presidential elections, extramarital affairs, wine quality, college grades, marathon times, interest rates, and inflation are matters that Fair (economics, Yale U.) says can be explained and analyzed using tools of the social sciences and statistics. He has chosen the wide range of topics to show lay readers how it all works. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Go to: Raw Food Made Easy or The Apple Pie Tree

Corporate Finance: Theory and Practice

Author: Aswath Damodaran

Aswath Damodaran is nationally recognized for his teaching approach, using theory and the models that flow from it to understand, analyze and solve problems. He treats corporate finance as a living discipline by making it much more applied than other textbooks. Throughout the text, real companies and real data are used in examples and exercises.

Booknews

Defines corporate finance in a broad sense<-->covering any decisions made by firms which have financial implications<-->and focuses on applying complex theory to real firms. Six sections cover corporate finance, the investment decision, the financial decision, how much cash to return to the owners of the business, the value of the firm, and issues such as currency and political risk in foreign markets and the basics of option pricing. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Booknews

New edition of a text that combines theory and data related to making investment, financing, and dividend decisions. Throughout the chapters, Damodaran (Stern School of Business, New York U.) illustrates principles by analyzing real companies with real problems, with a focus on applying complex theory while minimizing the inevitable compromises involved. Topics include an introduction to corporate finance, investment analysis, the financing and dividend decisions, valuation, and the link between valuation and corporate finance decisions. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)