This booklet is for investors who are new to the futures markets. It explains the financial pages of newspapers where orange juice and pork belly prices neighbor T-bond and gold quotes, as well as why some futures trading pits are bursting with shouting and waving traders.

Years ago, most futures contracts were based on farm products such as wheat, corn, and soybeans, or basic metals such as silver and copper. Today's market is far more diverse. Not only are the traditional contracts still trading, but they have been joined by very popular and successful financial futures based on interest-rate instruments, stock and other indexes, and foreign currencies.

Of all the topics in finance to be studied, futures trading is the most interesting. Every event and every person seem to affect futures trading - from the weather in Kansas to the latest statement by the Federal Reserve Chairman; from declarations of war to consumer preferences. It is also probably the most fair and efficient marketplace. That alone makes it worth our attention.

Copyright © 2002 The booklet size is 5½" x 8½" and it contains 52 pages.

The hundreds of different exchange-traded options contracts now available to investors - whether on individual securities, stock indexes or futures contracts - can seem intimidating, even to an experienced hand at trading stocks, bonds or futures. There is virtually no limit to the ways options can be used, and their growing popularity as investment vehicles reflects the flexibility they offer large and small investors alike.

The purpose of the "Understanding the Options Markets" booklet is to show investors who are new to options some of the ways options are used, and to help them determine which options strategies, if any, are appropriate for them.

Copyright © 2002 The booklet size is 5½" x 8½" and it contains 44 pages.

Today, people can choose from among hundreds of different investments. To make the best decisions, many investors first look for good, basic information about the financial instruments they are considering. "Understanding the Securities Markets" booklet provides a no-frills explanation of one of the major categories of investment - marketable securities.

The dictionary defines a security as an evidence of ownership or debt. Securities representing ownership include common stocks, options, warrants and preferred stocks. Debt securities include bonds and other credit instruments issued by the federal, state and local governments, government agencies and corporations. Marketable securities are simply instruments which can be traded. A savings account, for example, cannot be traded; a share of IBM can.

"Understanding the Securities Markets" covers the securities market for both students and investors alike.

Copyright © 2002 The booklet size is 5½" x 8½" and it contains 28 pages.