--%>

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 Working Capital and Revolving

    Working Capital and Revolving Fund: For legal base accounting purposes, fund categorization for funds employed to account for the transactions of self-supporting enterprises which render goods or services for a direct charge to the user that is genera

  • 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 : Describe demand factor Normal 0 false

    Normal 0 false false

  • Q : Correlate each to the New Economy

    Normal 0 false false

  • 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 : Explain LBO-risks for equity investors

    Explain LBO? Describe risks for the equity investors and also describe potential rewards? A leveraged buyout is purchase of publicly owned corporation through a small group of investors by using a large amount of borrowed money. The risks for

  • Q : How management incorporated in proforma

    Describe how management aims are incorporated into proforma financial statements.Management decide a target goal, and forecasters generate proforma financial statements under the assumption that the goal will be

  • Q : State Section 31.00 Section 31.00 : It

    Section 31.00: It is a Control Section of Budget Act which specifies some administrative procedures. For illustration, the section subjects to the Budget Act appropriations to different sections of the Government Code, restricts the new positions a de

  • Q : Financial crisis of India during 1997 I

    I have to explain Financial crisis of India during 1997. Can someone help me in this question ?

  • Q : Finance End of Chapter Problems Page

    End of Chapter Problems Page 150 5.2 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 per service Annual Direct Fixed cost Annual Number of Visits Basic