Unforgettable Book Reviews of 2024 and Exciting Teasers for 2025 Revealed!

In the fast-paced world of investment decisions, finding insightful and practical resources can make all the difference. As the Book Review Editor for Enterprising Investor, I have had the privilege of spotlighting some exceptional reads from 2024 that offer valuable insights and techniques for CFA charterholders. Let’s dive into my top three picks that stood out for their relevance to the challenges faced by investment decision-makers.

The M&A Failure Trap: Why Most Mergers and Acquisitions Fail and How the Few Succeed by Baruch Lev and Feng Gu:

1. The authors shed light on the alarmingly high failure rate of M&A deals and delve deep into the factors that contribute to either success or failure.
2. Lev and Gu provide a data-driven analysis that is not only rigorous but also engaging with colorful prose and real-life stories of both successful and unsuccessful transactions.

The Ownership Dividend: The Coming Paradigm Shift in the U.S. Stock Market by Daniel Peris:

1. Peris challenges conventional wisdom by arguing that the shift away from dividends in recent decades is reversible, with a renewed focus on current income on the horizon.
2. His alternative narrative challenges the timeless Modigliani and Miller’s Dividend Irrelevance theory, suggesting that it may not be universally applicable across all eras.

Markets in Chaos: A History of Market Crises Around the World by Brendan Hughes:

1. Hughes takes us on a journey through centuries of financial crises, extracting valuable lessons for modern-day investment decisions.
2. By studying historical market cycles, professionals can gain insights into current technological challenges and fiscal imbalances facing the global economy.

2025 Sneak Preview:

Keep an eye out for upcoming reviews on Buffett’s Early Investments: A New Investigation into the Decade When Warren Buffett Earned His Best Returns by Brett Gardner, offering guidance from the investment legend’s early successes. Additionally, look forward to The Making of Modern Corporate Finance: A History of the Ideas and How They Help Build the Wealth of Nations by Donald H. Chew, Jr., which explores the profound impact of financial theories on global economic performance.

As we continue to explore new horizons in the world of investments, remember to subscribe to Enterprising Investor for more thought-provoking content and stay informed on the latest trends in finance. Let’s embark on this journey of learning and growth together.