--%>
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 : What is Service Revolving Fund Service

    Service Revolving Fund: A fund employed to account for and finance most of the client services provided by the Department of General Services. The amounts expended by the fund are repaid by sales and services priced at rates adequate to keep the fund

    		•
  • Q : Question on hypothetical economy Normal

    Normal 0 false false

  • Q : What is Minor Capital Outlay Minor

    Minor Capital Outlay: The construction projects or tools needed to finish a construction project, estimated to cost less than $600,000 bonus any escalation per Public Contract Code 10108.

    		•
  • Q : Primary requirement for JIT inventory

    Describe the primary requirements for a successful JIT inventory control system? For a JIT system to be successful the supplier has to be willing and capable to deliver materials immediately and the quality of delivered materials has to be high.

    		•
  • Q : Health finance 7.2 The audiology

    7.2 The audiology department at Randall Clinic offers many services to the clinic's patients. The three most common, along with cost and utilization data, are as follows: Service Variable Cost Annual Direct Annual # Visits per Service Fixed Costs Basic exam $5 $50,000 3,000 Advanced examination $7 $

    		•
  • Q : Mascot Simulation Simulation with

    Simulation with Crystal Ball Provided Workbook: Mascot Simulation Relevant Readings:"Discounted Cash Flow Modeling" folder + Text

    		•
  • Q : What is Prior Year Adjustment Prior

    Prior Year Adjustment: An adjustment for the difference among prior year accruals and real expenditures or revenues. The previous year adjustment amount is usually comprised in the Fund Condition Statements as an adjustment to realign the starting fun

    		•
  • Q : Negative consequences of company

    Explain negative consequences of a company holding too much cash? A company holding too much cash would be giving up the chance to invest more in income generating assets

    		•
  • Q : Question on level of free market wage

    In the year of 1996, the U.S. Congress raised the minimum wage from $4.25 per hour to $5.15 per hour. Some of the people suggested that a government subsidy could help employers finance the higher wage. Assume the supply of low-skilled labour is specified by

    		•
  • Q : Advantages of finger prints biometric

    Advantages of finger prints biometric technique: Easy to use and very little training is used No space is required for the installation Large amounts of existing data to allow background list check Has proven effect

    		•