Financial economics is a main category of economics that is primarily applied to the financial market. An example includes the study of the relationship between separate financial variables such as price, inflation and interest rates in the forex, stock markets, and the building of offshore hedge funds. The impact of economical variables such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Consumer Price Index (CPI) on financial markets and their impact on any offshore investment fund is also studied within the industry of financial economics. Models are built based on the two key concepts of ambiguity within the market and the value of money based on time. This branch of economics is different from others primarily because of its emphasis on the activities of money, among other differences.
The field of financial economics is highly quantitative. The basics revolve around the Portfolio Theory and the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM). The Portfolio Theory spreads funds which are visible in the private placement memorandums and therefore minimizes the amount of risk in an investment portfolio by diversifying where the capital is invested (i.e. start a hedge fund). This theory in financial economics is based on the postulation that an investor will desire to avoid risks in his investment by allocating resources to maximize returns. The CAPM is useful in determining risk by calculating risks associated with the investment and the returns that are anticipated. By taking into consideration the fact that investors will be compensated for the risks by undertaking and the time value of money, the expected return must be equal to or higher than the required return from the security for the investment to be worthwhile.
To study the fair value of an asset, related risks and the cash generated by the asset are both considered in relation to the cash flow generation and its possible dependence on an event or another asset. By comparing the asset's market price to that of similar assets, another factor of the fair value of the asset can be evaluated. In addition to the studying of assets, financial economics also focuses on the study of bonds, commodities, stocks and other financial mechanisms like the creation of a private placement.
The purpose of financial economics is to assist investors in making more informed decisions about their investment options. Some people believe that the ways in which financial economics functions are actually harmful to the system. Instead of reducing levels of risk, some argue, it creates risk. However, with the proper study and implementation of financial economics, investment decisions can be made more precisely and, indeed, with a lower amount of risk.