--%>
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 Department Department: The

    Department: The governmental organization, generally belonging to the third level of the state organizational hierarchy as stated in the Uniform Codes Manual.

    		•
  • Q : Describe the role of cash and of

    Describe the role of cash and of earnings while a corporation is deciding how much, if any, cash dividends to pay to common stockholders. In the long-run earnings are essential to maintain dividend payments; however at the time an actual dividen

    		•
  • Q : What is Operating Expenses and Equipment

    Operating Expenses and Equipment (OE&E): This is a class of a support appropriation which comprises objects of expenditure like general expenses, communication, printing, travel, data processing, tools, and accessories for the equipment.

    		•
  • Q : Describe Schedule 10 Schedule 10 :

    Schedule 10: (Supplementary Schedule of Appropriations): The Department of Finance control document listing all the appropriations and allocations of funds accessible for expenditure throughout the past, present, and budget years. Such documents are s

    		•
  • Q : Describe significance of excess reserves

    Normal 0 false false

  • Q : Define operating leverage effect and

    Define operating leverage effect and what causes it? Describe potential benefits and negative consequences of high operating leverage? The operating leverage effect is the phenomenon where a small change in sales triggers a comparatively large

    		•
  • Q : How do mergers influence consumers How

    How do mergers influence consumers?The effects mergers have on consumers differ widely. There may be some inconvenience and anxiety while a customer's bank or branch is obtained. The issuance of new account numbers and new checks is a familiar h

    		•
  • Q : Define Reserve Reserve: The amount of a

    Reserve: The amount of a fund balance set sideways to give for expenditures from the unencumbered balance for ongoing appropriations, future apportionments, and economic uncertainties, pending salary or price raise appropriations, and appropriations f

    		•
  • Q : Describe compensating balances its need

    Describe compensating balances and why do banks needs them from some customers? Under what situation would banks be most likely to impose compensating balances? Compensating balances are funds that a bank needs a customer to maintain in a non-i

    		•
  • Q : Describe GATT and its goal Describe

    Describe GATT, and its goal? GATT is the General Agreement on Tariffs & Trade. This is a treaty that seeks to decrease trade barriers among participant nations.

    		•