Most people find financial markets complex, investing too risky and the frequent ups and downs in stocks too unnerving and confusing. Financial markets also happen to be heavily regulated. One can’t blame investors for losing their way while figuring out the products, players and procedures, rules, regulators and risk-reward trade-offs. This book is designed to help new as well as experienced investors to enter today’s choppy markets. It covers all the elements necessary to become financially smart and successfully navigate the myriad options available. Providing a broad overview of the financial markets, it explains stocks, bonds, funds, derivatives and their markets. It highlights the pitfalls of investing in each of the asset classes which would help investors avoid the traps that have snared so many victims over the past few years. It also presents a framework for analysing investment results, both in absolute terms and after adjusting for risk. Although it is US-centric, the book is an essential guide for anyone who intends to become a savvy investor.