Essays and Research Papers on Personal Finance

A 5 page paper illustrating that the stock market of recent years has indeed been a bull one. It seems the entire country has been in awe of the performance of the stock market in recent years, and there is talk among economists that the old and classic model of the business cycle might well ...

This 5 page paper provides an overview of stocks, bonds and mutual funds and strategies for investment. The paper concludes that individual stock and bond investments are more profitable than the purchase of mutual funds. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

This 5 page paper discusses the Dow Jones Industrial Averages between December 31, 1998 to May 21, 1999. The reasons for the continuing increase in the market are discussed as well as the reasons it is so difficult to predict the market. The interest rates set by the Federal Reserve Board are also discussed. One ...

A 5 page paper discussing the theoretical and empirical validity of the weak, semi-strong and strong forms of the theory. Stock market information remains less than completely reliable, as there are those companies that analysts believe should be performing at much higher levels in terms of stock price than the actual prices would indicate; there ...

A 5 page paper discussing whether the bear is ever going to return. There are some hard and fast rules within the universe. Until the early 1990s, one had been that the stock market would rise until stock values had reached a point at which they were overvalued in some degree, then they would 'correct.' ...

An 8 page paper discussing the trends of the 1990's and how these trends have affected the stock exchange and how they have helped to create the apparent boom to the market. The 1990's have brought with it many changes to the United States, as well as the world. Technology has made astronomical advances and ...

This 8 page paper provides an overview of the risks inherent in market investments, particularly as it involves insider trading. Many aspects are considered, from the legal ramifications to the psychological component that propels people to engage in risk taking behavior. The big scandals of the eighties are discussed in addition to the trends that ...

A 9 page introduction to agricultural commodities focusing on corn. Sections include a general introduction; some of the problems in the corn commodity market; new farming methods, volume of corn produced and stock prices. One graph is included. Bibliograhy lists 9 sources.

This 5 page paper analyzes a sample futures contract in white wheat. Both a practical and technical analysis is performed and an overview on derivatives is provided. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

An 8 page paper discussing price indexes in agriculture. The writer examines the consumer price index and indexes of prices received by individual farmers as well as farming conglomerates. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

Derivatives are analyzed in the context of interest rate risk in this 15 page paper. Swaps, forward contracts as well as options are considered. Various types of options are defined. Controversy concerning use of derivatives, as well as its dangers and benefits, are discussed.Bibliography lists 10 sources.

8 pages in length. Citing that bank participation in derivative markets has risen sharply in recent years, the writer discusses interest rate risk and how to manage it with particular application to derivative contracts. Bibliography lists 10 sources.

3 page essay providing a basic overview of the Federal Reserve and rising interest rates. No Bibliography.

A 6 page paper discussing the very different spending patterns and attitudes of young Americans just starting out in the adult world and more 'settled,' thirty-something Americans. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

This 3 page essay examines a fictitious company and its loan choices with the possibility of recession in mind. An overview of economic variables as well as advice about types of loans the company should take are provided. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 7 page paper that describes the moral and ethical dilemmas presented to Bud Fox in the movie 'Wall Street.' One of the major themes in the movie is the issue of being a moral individual in an amoral organization, and Bud's character and the character of Gekko provide the essence of his discussion.

An 8 page research paper investigating the ways in which negative publicity might have affected the performance of the nation's top two tobacco companies in the stock market. Some analysts have said that the companies' stockholders are bearing the brunt of the rash of lawsuits and multi-billion dollar settlements in questions of tobacco-related health concerns ...

12 pages in length. Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette is one company that turns the phrase 'big business' into a totally inadequate understatement: they boast total capital of over $3.46 billion and total assets of over $55.56 billion. DLJ is involved in every facet of commercial finance endeavor ranging from investment banking to stock brokering to ...

This 10 page report discusses the stock brokerage industry and its impact on the economics of the United States. The largest amount of securities of the time traded in the secondary markets fit into one or the other of two categories: bonds or stocks. As investors become better educated and more confident in their own ...

A 5 page report on careers centered in the sales and trade of securities, specifically the career of security analyst/researcher. The industry involves both those sales agents working for specific customers and those more behind-the-scenes economic analysts whose responsibility it is to analyze both the current performance of specific stocks and forecast the specific stock's ...

This 5 page paper examines the digital revolution in the context of the commercial banking industry. The past, present and future are discussed in terms of how information technology has revolutionized an old institution. The Michigan National Bank and Citicorp are highlighted as industry leaders. The use of ATM's, truncation, ...

A 14 page paper that addresses Alex Michalos' hope for erasing world poverty through reforms in revenue budgets for the U.S., Canada and the world. Michalos' arguments are addressed, including counterpoints and his response. The paper posits that Michalos' arguments are adequately supported. Bibliography lists 1 source.

A 7 page comparison of classical and monetarist macroeconomics. The writer argues that while economists remain in divided camps, in application, the two theories are combined, along with the growth theory of rational expectations, a monetarist offshoot. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

A 6 page review of the relationships of supply and demand. Provides an approach to analyzing such relationships from a stochastic perspective. Bibliography lists 8 sources.

This 6 page report discusses the fact that currently U.S. enjoy low interest rates, low unemployment, low inflation, and an expanding economy, and confidence is high and the fact that booming U.S. economy may be approaching a historical turning point. The writer examines economic conditions in the Federal Reserve's District Twelve and reviews the ...