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After the Mexican, Asian, and Russian financial crisis, the phenomenon of contagion became increasingly important. Existing studies indicate that various explanations for the transmission of crises exist. This book gives an overview over theories that try to explain contagion caused by portfolio flows of international investors. Theories such as the occurrence of information cascades, the effects of international portfolio diversification and optimization, the importance of information asymmetries, cross-market re-balancing effects, risk aversion, and wealth effects are discussed in detail. The analysis suggests that information asymmetries and changes in risk aversion hold an important role in explaining contagious sellouts. The book addresses itself to economists, policy makers as well as portfolio and fund manager.

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Andreas Vester studied at the University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany, and holds a diploma in economics.In addition, he graduated with a Master inBusiness Administration degree from Indiana Universityof Pennsylvania, USA. His majors have beenmoney and credit as well as banking and finance.Andreas Vester works with the Fixed Income PortfolioManagement division of HSBC InvestmentsGermany in Düsseldorf, Germany.

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