Manel Antelo & David Peon 
Financial Markets 
A Guided Tour

If there were still any doubts as a result of the financial crisis, which began in the summer of 2007 and had not ended at the beginning of 2011, everyone is now convinced, first abruptly and then painfully, of the extraordinary importance of financial markets in people’s lives and activities. For good or bad, consecrated by some and demonized by others, the markets have become key pillars of modern economies. To a large extent, the crisis has made it clear that financial knowledge, such an important aspect of our economies and our environment, is scant. Perhaps because almost no one, including consumers and providers for different reasons, had much interest in changing the situation. The time has come to tackle the dissemination of financial knowledge from a new, rigorous and solid scientific perspective. This book examines various financial markets and the challenges they face in today’s economy.