--%>
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 : Decision rule using net present value

    Describe the decision rule for accepting or rejecting proposed projects while using net present value? While using the net present value decision rule any project along with a net present value greater than or equal to zero would be acceptable.

    		•
  • Q : What do you mean by Without Regard To

    What do you mean by Without Regard To Fiscal Year (WRTFY): Where an appropriation has no period of restriction on its accessibility.

    		•
  • Q : What is Detail of Appropriations and

    Detail of Appropriations and Adjustments: A budget display, for each association, that replicates appropriations and adjustments by fund source for each of the character of expenditure, (that is, State Operations, Local Assistance, and Capital Outlay)

    		•
  • Q : Define Fund Balance Fund Balance : For

    Fund Balance: For accounting aims, the excess of a fund’s assets over its liabilities. And for budgeting aims, the surplus of a fund’s resources over its expenses.

    		•
  • Q : Investment based question Normal 0

    Normal 0 false false

    		•
  • Q : What is Budget Act Budget Act (BA): The

    Budget Act (BA): The annual statute authorizing state departments to use up appropriated funds for the aims stated in the Governor's Budget and improved by the Legislature.

    		•
  • Q : Define Allocation Allocation : The

    Allocation: The distribution of funds or costs from one account or misuse to one or more accounts or appropriations (example, the allocation of employee compensation funding from the statewide 9800 Budget Act items to the departmental Budget Act items

    		•
  • Q : What are Federal Funds Federal Funds :

    Federal Funds: For legal basis budgeting purposes, categorization of funds into which the money received in trust from an agency of the federal government will be deposited and finished by a state department in accordance with state and/or federal rul

    		•
  • Q : Describe capital rationing Describe

    Describe capital rationing? Should a firm practice capital rationing? Why? Capital rationing is the practice of setting dollar restriction on what will be invested in new capital budgeting projects. Proprietorships, partnerships and private c

    		•
  • Q : What is an Investment Management

    Investment Management: It has two general definitions, one associating to advisory services and the other associated to corporate finance. In the initial instance, a financial advisor or services company gives inve

    		•