--%>
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 : Effect of raising funds on rapidly

    Companies along with rapidly growing levels of sales do not require worrying about raising funds from outside the firm. Do you agree or disagree along with this statement? Describe. Disagree. Quickly growing firms require more assets to accom

    		•
  • Q : Explain financial markets Explain

    Explain financial markets? Why do they exist?In financial markets, financial securities are bought and sold. They exist chiefly to bring deficit economic units (those needing money) and surplus economic units (those have extra money) together.

    		•
  • Q : Recognizes and state the significance

    Normal 0 false false

  • Q : Explain Budget Bill Budget Bill : The

    Budget Bill: The legislation symbolizing the Governor’s proposal for spending authorization for the subsequent fiscal year. The Budget Bill is all set by the Department of Finance and submitted to each house of the Legislature i

    		•
  • Q : Define Legislature Legislature,

    Legislature, California: Two-house bodies of elected representatives vested with the accountability and power to make laws affecting the state (that is, except as limited by the veto power of the Governor).

    		•
  • Q : Explain Merger Merger : A merger takes

    Merger: A merger takes place whenever two companies unite to form a single company. This is very alike to an acquisition or takeover, apart from that the existing stock-holders of both companies comprised retain a shared interest in the latest corpora

    		•
  • 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 : Define the term Judgments Judgments :

    Judgments: It is generally refers to decisions made by courts against the state. The payment of judgments is subject to a range of controls and procedures.

    		•
  • Q : Graphically combined transactions and

    Normal 0 false false

  • Q : For banking services how competitive is

    For banking services how competitive is the market?Along with more than 7,000 banks and thrifts in the U.S., banking is one of the most competitive industries in the world. Assume the following characteristics of the American financial services

    		•