--%>
Assignment Help - homework help

Analysis On Financial Indices

On a weekly basis, starting from week ending on 18/1, you need to produce a weekly performance report of the major indices around the world following this structure: 

Currencies
a. USD vs Yen, vs GBP(GBP/USD), vs. Swiss Franc (USD/CHF)
b. Euro vs USD, Yen, GBP, Swiss Franc
c. US Dollar Index

DELIVERABLES

Analyze US Dollar Index, the concept of cost of carry, future contract specifications for WTI, Gold via CME Group site.

1. For each index, calculate weekly, Year-to-Date, 12-month(rolling) returns, 3Y CAGR & 5Y CAGR (in case you cannot find the data from the web or Datastream just skip the respective index)

2. Calculate the average annual returns, standard deviation and the cross-correlations for as much from the above indices/asset classes for the following periods:
a. JAN 2007- DEC 2009
b. JAN 2010- DEC 2012
c. JAN 2002- DEC 2012
using i) daily or weekly and ii)monthly data

3. Plot the average returns (y-axis) and standard deviations (x-axis) for the period JAN 2002 - DEC 2012

4. Given the above results, which of these indices/asset classes would you be most / least interested investing in?

5. How do you explain the differences in the correlation figures?

6. Describe briefly each index / asset class from the ones in the list above.

  • Add the definitions of all indices, # of companies/countries included 
  • Weighting method: price weighted, value-weighted, equal-weighted 
  • top 5 of companies/countries in the basket/index - whenever you have access to constituents/members. 
  • Briefly analyze the structure and potential advantages for each index/asset class 
  • List at least one (1) Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) that you could invest in so that to track each one of these indices. 

7. Monitor major headlines and be ready to discuss the direction of the markets from week to week. The 2013 Outlook reports provided you with the key factors / themes that will be influencing the markets this year.

 

 

 

 

   Related Questions in Finance Basics

  • Q : Define the term Program Cost Accounting

    Program Cost Accounting (PCA): The level of accounting which identifies costs by activities executed in achievement of a purpose in contrast to the traditional line-item format. The aim of accounting at this level is to generate cost data adequately a

    		•
  • Q : What is State Operations State

    State Operations (SO): It is a character of expenditure symbolizing expenditures for the support of state government, exclusive of capital investments and expenses for the local assistance actions.

    		•
  • Q : Define Performance Budget Performance

    Performance Budget: A budget in which proposed expenditures are prepared and tracked mainly by measurable performance objectives for actions or work programs. The performance budget might also incorporate other bases of expenditure categorization, lik

    		•
  • Q : How do mergers influence communities

    How do mergers influence communities?While a locally controlled bank is merged into a bank headquartered elsewhere (an out-of-market merger), some of the apprehension regarding the institution's future commitment to the local community is bound

    		•
  • Q : Fiscal policy Normal 0 false false

    Normal 0 false false

    		•
  • Q : Durable goods industries and

    Normal 0 false false

    		•
  • Q : Making capital structure decisions In a

    In a perfect capital market, what advice would you give a corporate financial manager on making capital structure decisions? Justify your advice. How and why would your advice change as real world capital market imperfections are introduced?

    Q : Growth rate of its real GDP Normal 0

    Normal 0 false false

    		•
  • Q : Explain Financial Models Financial

    Financial Models: A model which symbolizes the financial statements or financial operations of a company in terms of its business parameters and forecasts future financial performance. Models are employed for risk management by examining various econo

    		•
  • Q : Explain accepting or rejecting of

    For a specified IOS and MCC, how do financial managers decide which proposed capital budgeting projects to accept, and which to reject? For a specified IOS and MCC, all independent projects that plot on the IOS above the MCC are accepted. Those

    		•