--%>
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 : Define the term floor Floor: The

    Floor: The Assembly or Senate chambers or the word employed to explain the location of a bill or the kind of session. Matters might be termed to as “on the floor”.

    		•
  • Q : Standard deviation of the portfolio If

    If a stock with a standard deviation of 7% is combined with a stock that has a standard deviation of 5%, what will the standard deviation of the portfolio be? A) 6%B) Greater than 6%C) Less than 6%D) There is not

    		•
  • Q : Describe risk aversion Describe risk

    Describe risk aversion? Risk aversion is the tendency to ignore additional risk. Risk-averse people will ignore risk if they can, unless they attain additional compensation for letting that risk. In finance, the added compensation is a higher ex

    		•
  • Q : What is Fiscal Year Fiscal Year (FY):

    Fiscal Year (FY): Twelve-month periods throughout which income is earned and received, compulsions are incurred, encumbrances are prepared, appropriations are expended, and for which the other fiscal transactions are recorded. In Cali

    		•
  • Q : Define Special Funds Special Funds :

    Special Funds: For legal base budgeting purposes, funds produced by statute, or administratively per Government Code Section 13306, employed to budget and account for taxes, licenses, and fees which are restricted by law for specific activities of the

    		•
  • Q : Describe Schedule 10 Schedule 10 :

    Schedule 10: (Supplementary Schedule of Appropriations): The Department of Finance control document listing all the appropriations and allocations of funds accessible for expenditure throughout the past, present, and budget years. Such documents are s

    		•
  • Q : Depict the slope of the line Normal 0

    Normal 0 false false

  • 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 : Are there security and soundness

    Are there security & soundness implications of mergers?No. All mergers needs regulatory approval and are subject to intense examination through regulators. If anything, the influence on safety and soundness is in general positive, as mergers

    		•
  • Q : Explain Modified Accrual Basis Modified

    Modified Accrual Basis: The base of accounting in which revenues are acknowledged when the underlying transaction has occurred as of the last day of the fiscal year and the quantity is measurable and accessible to finance expenditures

    		•