Finance 2: Asset Allocation and Market Efficiency

This books builds on 'Finance 1: Portfolio Theory and Management'. Both volumes are linked through the asset allocation process. While Finance 1 focuses on portfolio theory and strategic asset allocation, Finance 2 deals with tactical asset allocation and market efficiency. We start by reviewing the asset allocation process, market timing and the approach by Black and Litterman. Section 2 deals with the predictability of prices, including technical analysis and momentum. Turning to factors that may cause the predictability - if there is any - we discuss models from behavioural finance. The subsequent section deals with bubbles and herd behaviour, before we cover market microstructure and its implications. The book's last section deals with price manipulation as a cause for inefficiencies.