--%>
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 : Security in banking operations Security

    Security in banking operations is a major problem in financial institutions all over the world today. The compromise of banking information and data more often than not leads to fraud. Fraud has become quite a challenge for many banks as any slight br

    		•
  • Q : Translate enterprise value in net

    Describe the adjustments essential to translate enterprise value to the net present value of common equity.To get the value of the company's common stock, add up the value of the firm's present assets to the enterprise value (this generates the

    		•
  • Q : Why do companies extend trade credit

    Accounts receivable are sometimes not gathered. Why do companies extend trade credit while they could insist on cash for all sales? Extending trade credit approximately leads to more sales for all time. If the incremental cash flows, comprisin

    		•
  • Q : State Section 8.50 Section 8.50 : The

    Section 8.50: The Control Section of Budget Act gives the authority to raise federal funds expenses authority.

    		•
  • Q : Why riskiness of portfolios is

    Normal 0 false false

  • Q : Influence the economy in short run and

    Normal 0 false false

  • Q : Define Revolving Fund Revolving Fund :

    Revolving Fund: Usually refers to a cash account termed as an office revolving fund (ORF). This is not a fund however an advance from an appropriation. The agencies might use the cash advance to pay out ORF checks for instant requirements, as specifie

    		•
  • Q : Why accounting profits and cash flows

    Normal 0 false false

    		•
  • Q : Explain the primary advantage of

    Explain the primary advantage to a corporation of investing some of its funds within working capital? Through investing in working capital a firm gets the liquidity it require helping it to pay its bills. Therefore the risk of the firm is reduce

    		•
  • Q : Demand for small automobiles Normal 0

    Normal 0 false false