--%>
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 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 : Label equilibrium price P-equilibrium

    Normal 0 false false

    		•
  • Q : What is the schedule of Federal Funds

    What is the schedule of Federal Funds and Reimbursements, Supplementary: The supplemental schedule proposed by departments throughout budget preparation that exhibits the federal receipts and reimbursements through source.

    		•
  • Q : What is Indirect Costs Indirect Costs :

    Indirect Costs: The costs which by their nature can’t be readily related with a particular organization unit or program. Similar to general administrative expenses, indirect costs are dispersed to the organizational unit(s) or programs that bene

    		•
  • Q : Define Spot Bill Spot Bill : It is an

    Spot Bill: It is an introduced bill which makes non-substantive modifications in a law, generally with the intent to amend the bill at a later date to comprise substantive law modifications. This procedure gives a means for circumventing the deadline

    		•
  • Q : Durable goods industries and

    Normal 0 false false

    		•
  • Q : Explain Transfers Transfers : As

    Transfers: As employed in Schedule 10Rs and fund situation statements, transfers replicate the movement of resources from one fund to the other based on statutory authorization or particular legislative transfer appropriation authority.

    		•
  • Q : Decision rule using internal rate of

    Describe decision rule for accepting or rejecting proposed projects while using internal rate of return? Whenever the internal rate of return is greater than or equal to the required rate of return, the hurdle rate, the project is accepted. Whi

    		•
  • Q : Effect of change on equilibrium

    Normal 0 false false

  • Q : What is Personal Services Personal

    Personal Services: It is a category of expenditure that comprises such objects of expenditures as the payment of wages and salaries of state employees and employee advantages, comprising the state's contribution to the Public Employees' Retirement Fun

    		•