The stock market--the virtual place where corporations raise capital--has come to symbolize business more profoundly than any other entity or institution. This book provides a glimpse into the history, development, regulation, and increasing importance that the stock market plays in business and economic growth, as well as the investment strategies of individuals--in the U.S. and around the world, including Europe, Japan, Hong Kong, and emerging markets in the developing world that are rapidly integrating into the global economy.

To explore the roles and workings of the stock market, the authors trace its evolution from its origins on Wall Street in the 1700s to the present, and examine the varied ways in which it is used to generate economic value. From initial public offerings (IPOs) to hedge funds to American Depository Receipts (ADRs) to options and more, the authors go beyond basic stocks and bonds to highlight the development and current applications of a wide variety of financial instruments that are used to raise capital. Featuring examples, graphics, illustrations, glossary, index, and references and on-line resources, this volume offers an accessible and engaging introduction to the world of investment and corporate finance, while illuminating one of the icons of capitalism.

Rik W. Hafer is Professor and Chairman in the Department of Economics and Finance, and Director of the Office of Economic Education and Business Research, Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville. He served as Research Officer with the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis and his articles on monetary policy and financial markets have appeared in such publications as the Wall Street Journal, International Economic Journal, Economic Review, and the Journal of Business. He is the author or editor of several books, including The Stock Market: Bubbles, Volatility, and Chaos, How Open is the U.S. Economy?, and The Federal Reserve System (Greenwood, 2005).

Scott E. Hein is Briscoe Chair of Bank Management and Finance at Texas Tech University, where he teaches courses in the management of financial institutions, multinational financial management, money and capital markets, and the U.S. financial system. He also serves as Visiting Scholar at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta and Chief Economist at Islay Opportunity Fund. He has published many articles in such publications as the Journal of Financial Research, Applied Financial Economics, and the Journal of Banking and Finance, and is on the board of editors for the Quarterly Journal of Business and Economics.