--%>

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 : How does preemptive right secure

    How does a preemptive right secure the interests of present stockholders? A preemptive right secure the interests of existing stockholders through giving them the chance to preempt other investors into the purchase of new shares. If these right

  • Q : Why coefficient of variation is better

    Why is the coefficient of variation frequently a better risk measure while comparing different projects than the standard deviation?Whenever we desire to compare the risk of investments which have different means, we employ the coefficient of va

  • Q : What is Reverted Appropriation Reverted

    Reverted Appropriation: An appropriation which is reverted to its fund source after the date its liquidation period has terminated.

  • Q : Define Control Sections Control

    Control Sections: The sections of the Budget Act (that is, 1.00 to the end) giving specific controls on the appropriations itemized in the Section 2.00 of Budget Act.

  • Q : State Schedule 11 Schedule 11 : It is

    Schedule 11: It is the outdated word for “Supplementary Schedule of Operating Expenses and Equipment.”

  • Q : Consolidated balance sheets for the

    In the below table you will determine consolidated balance sheets for the chartered banking system & the Bank of Canada. Employ columns 1 through 3 to show how the balance sheets would read after each of transactions a to c is finished. Analyze

  • Q : Three examples of mutually exclusive

    Provide three examples of mutually exclusive projects. Mutually exclusive projects are projects which compete against each other for our selection. If firm were considering the purchase of new computer, requiring only one computer, then the pro

  • Q : What are the Changes in Authorized

    Changes in Authorized Positions (“Schedule 2”): This is a schedule in the Governor’s Budget which reflects staffing changes made following to the adoption of the present year budget and enacted legislation. This planned document modi

  • Q : Exdplain how does continuous

    Normal 0 false false

  • Q : How cash and capital budget relate to

    Describe how the cash budget and the capital budget associate to proforma financial statements.The cash budget illustrates the projected flow of cash in and out of the firm for particular time periods. The capital budget illustrates planned expe