This document provides an overview of investments and the investment decision process. It aims to help readers understand investments as currently practiced, make investment decisions that enhance economic welfare, and set realistic expectations about outcomes. Key points covered include defining investments, why studying investments is important, the tradeoff between expected return and risk, factors like security analysis and portfolio management that influence the investment decision process, and uncertainties that dominate investment decisions.

1. Chapter 1 Charles P. Jones, Investments: Analysis and Management, Tenth Edition, John Wiley & Sons Prepared by G.D. Koppenhaver, Iowa State University Understanding Investments

2. To understand the investments field as currently practiced To help you make investment decisions that will enhance your economic welfare To create realistic expectations about the outcome of investment decisions Objectives

3. Investments is the study of the process of committing funds to one or more assets Emphasis on holding financial assets and marketable securities Concepts also apply to real assets Foreign financial assets should not be ignored Investments Defined

4. Most individuals make investment decisions sometime Need sound framework for managing and increasing wealth Essential part of a career in the field Security analyst, portfolio manager, registered representative, Certified Financial Planner, Chartered Financial Analyst Why Study Investments?

5. Underlying investment decisions: the tradeoff between expected return and risk Expected return is not usually the same as realized return Risk: the possibility that the realized return will be different than the expected return Investor risk tolerance affects expected return Investment Decisions

6. Investors manage risk at a cost - lower expected returns (ER) Any level of expected return and risk can be attained The Tradeoff Between Expected Return and Risk Risk ER Risk-free Rate Bonds Stocks

7. Two-step process: Security analysis and valuation Necessary to understand security characteristics Portfolio management Selected securities viewed as a single unit How efficient are financial markets in processing new information? How and when should it be revised? How should portfolio performance be measured? The Investment Decision Process

8. Uncertainty in ex post returns dominates decision process Future unknown and must be estimated Foreign financial assets: opportunity to enhance return or reduce risk Quick adjustments needed to a changing environment The Internet and investment opportunities Institutional investors important Factors Affecting the Process

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