The investment industry is increasingly a global business. This is partly due to the needs of multinational corporations to obtain financing in more than one nation. Cross-border investments and acquisitions continue at a rapid pace. The asset management business is becoming larger, more complex and more competitive, while hedge funds and private equity dominate large portions of the industry. This carefully researched book is a complete investments, securities and asset management market research and business intelligence tool--everything you need to know about the business of investments, including: investment banking, stock brokers, discount brokers, online trading, trends in financial information technologies, asset management, stock ownership by individuals and households, 401(k)s and pension plans, mutual funds, ETFs, ECNs and exchanges. The book includes vital industry statistics; a glossary; industry contacts such as industry associations and government agencies; and our profiles of 350 leading global firms in the investment and asset management business, both public and private. You'll find a complete overview, industry analysis and market research report in one superb, value-priced package.