--%>

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 Chapter Chapter : The

    Chapter: The reference allotted by the Secretary of State to an enacted bill, numbered in sequence in order of enactment each calendar year. The enacted bill is then termed to by this "chapter" number and the year in which it became law. For illustrat

  • Q : Absolute and relative sizes of the

    Normal 0 false false

  • Q : Explain Merit Salary Adjustment Merit

    Merit Salary Adjustment (MSA): The cost factor resultant from the periodic raise in salaries paid to the personnel occupying authorized positions. The personnel usually receive a salary raise of 5 percent per year up to the upper sala

  • Q : Retiring an internally held debt and

    Normal 0 false false

  • Q : Assignments i want to write final state

    i want to write final state report. My state is Texas. You can use the resources that i attached, also you can use another resources to cover the outlines.

  • Q : Describe advantages and the

    Describe advantages and the disadvantages of new stock issue? A new stock issue increase funds and decreases the riskiness of the firm. This also tends to send a negative signal to the market as many investors believe a company would just sell

  • Q : Describe financial ratio Describe

    Describe financial ratio? This is a number which expresses the value of one financial variable relative to another. Put more cleanly, a financial ratio is the result you obtain when you divide one financial number by another.  Computing an

  • Q : Shares Assignment Mina Patel has seen

    Assignment Mina Patel has seen attractive advertisements for Dixons Retail plc and its UK-based brands. She is also aware of the intense competition between retailers of electronic and electrical goods, at a time of global economic uncertainty. Mina has recently inherited several thousand pound

  • Q : Explain Financial Models Financial

    Financial Models: A model which symbolizes the financial statements or financial operations of a company in terms of its business parameters and forecasts future financial performance. Models are employed for risk management by examining various econo

  • Q : What is Sinking Fund Sinking Fund : It

    Sinking Fund: It is a fund or account in which money is deposited at customary intervals to offer for the retirement of bonded debt.