Today is the day they give out results for the Level 2 and Level 3 CFA exams. Looks like pass rates for the Levels 2 and 3 exams were lower than their historical levels. To all who passed, congratulations - you're now one step closer to finishing the process. If not, here's some perspective from ... Read more

I've blogged on this previously, but this piece on sources for finding low-cost textbooks bears repeating (particularly with school starting bakc up shortly). I used CampusBooks to search for a few reference materials I needed (used, of course) - it's well worth checking out. HT: Newmark's ... Read more

I just read a study that is highly applicable to anyone who's studying for the CFA exams, since there's a ridiculous amount of information that must be retained. When people ask me how much they have to study for the L1 exam, I answer "about 16 pounds", since that's the weight of the curriculum. B ... Read more

I try to get across to my students that the government has no money of its own - everything either comes from taxes or from borrowing(which is paid off with future taxes). So, in the end, most government programs involve taking money from one group and giving it to another. That's not necessarily ba ... Read more

I just went on my longest ride of the year (26 miles). I know it's not long by serious cyclists' standards, but it's as long as anything I did last summer (but slower than last year's rides). Unfortunately, it was also the hottest day of the year in UnknownVille - 90 degrees and very humid. Still ... Read more

Here's something for your weekend viewing pleasure - the 50 Greatest Movie Monologues of All Time (from Film.com) I think Pacino's in there about 4 times, and there are a lot of other big names - James Earl Jones, Mel Gibson, Morgan Freeman, etc... Enjoy. ... Read the full post ... Read more

Here's an interesting article in the WSJ from a while back (7/16) titled "CIT's Woes Prompt Surge In Activity At Receivables Exchange". CHICAGO (Dow Jones)--The turmoil surrounding finance giant CIT Group Inc. (CIT) is driving a surge in new business for a New Orleans-based company that runs a mark ... Read more

I love doing research. Actually, I like finding out new stuff. But sometimes the process makes me rue the fact that I work on a dry campus. Like this week. I've been working on a paper where I needed to update the data on. Since the latest version was a rush job put together for a conference, ... Read more

Here's a very interesting and informative piece titled "Edifying Editing" by R. Preston McAfee (former co-editor of AER and editor of Economic Inquiry). It's not entirely applicable to finance because he's an econ guy. But there is a great deal of similarity between the fields. Here are a ... Read more

Here's a pretty good list of things I wish I could write on some students' papers, from Sapience Speaks . #6, while harsh even for this list, is my favorite. Feel free to add your own in the comments. "You certainly have a way with words. A long, long way.""You seem to be attempting a very delica ... Read more