--%>
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 : Private closed economy based question

    Normal 0 false false

    		•
  • Q : Explain Object of Expenditure Object of

    Object of Expenditure (Objects): It is a categorization of expenditures based on the kind of goods or services received. For illustration, the budget group of Personal Services comprises the objects of Salaries and Wages and Staff Benefits.

  • Q : Describe utilization of a risk-adjusted

    Describe how utilizing a risk-adjusted discount rate develop capital budgeting decision making compared to utilizing a single discount rate for all projects? The risk-adjusted discount rate develop capital budgeting decision making compared to t

    		•
  • Q : Alternative combinations of the two

    Assume you won $15 on a Lotto Canada ticket at the local 7-Eleven & decided to spend all the winnings on bags of peanuts and candy bars. The cost of candy bars is $.75 and the cost of peanuts is $1.50. Build a table illustrating the alternative combinatio

    		•
  • Q : Explain Continuously Vacant Positions

    Continuously Vacant Positions: On July 1, the positions which were continuously vacant for six successive monthly pay periods throughout the prior fiscal year are abolished by the State Controller's Office. The six successive monthly

    		•
  • Q : Expected rate of return Normal 0 false

    Normal 0 false false

    		•
  • Q : Describe working capital Describe

    Describe working capital? Working capital contains the current assets of the firm.

    		•
  • Q : What is Administration Administration :

    Administration: It refers to the Governor's Office and those individuals, subdivisions, and offices reporting to it (example, the Department of Finance).

    		•
  • Q : What is a Category Category: A grouping

    Category: A grouping of related kinds of expenditures, like Personal Services, Reimbursements, Operating Expenses and Equipment, Special Items of Expense, Un-classified, Local Costs, Capital Costs, and inner Cost Recovery.

    		•
  • Q : Rate of inflation Normal 0 false false

    Normal 0 false false

    		•