--%>
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 : What are Salaries and Wages Supplement

    Salaries and Wages Supplement: The annual publication issued in a while after the Governor's Budget, including a summary of all positions by department, unit, and categorization for the past, present, and budget years, as of July 1 of the present year

    		•
  • 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 : Decision rule using internal rate of

    Describe decision rule for accepting or rejecting proposed projects while using internal rate of return? Whenever the internal rate of return is greater than or equal to the required rate of return, the hurdle rate, the project is accepted. Whi

    		•
  • Q : What is Operating Expenses and Equipment

    Operating Expenses and Equipment (OE&E): This is a class of a support appropriation which comprises objects of expenditure like general expenses, communication, printing, travel, data processing, tools, and accessories for the equipment.

    		•
  • Q : Define Subcommittee Subcommittee : The

    Subcommittee: The smaller groupings into which the Senate or Assembly committees are frequently divided. For illustration, the fiscal committees which hear the Budget Bill are classified into subcommittees usually by departments or subject area (examp

    		•
  • Q : Advantages and disadvantages of working

    Describe the advantages and disadvantages of the aggressive working capital financing approach? An aggressive working capital financing approach generally results in a lower cost of funds for a firm however a higher level of risk.

    		•
  • Q : Describe price–quantity effects Normal

    Normal 0 false false

    		•
  • Q : Explain Appropriated Revenue

    Appropriated Revenue: The revenue which, as it is earned is reserved and appropriated for a particular aim. An illustration is student fees received by state colleges which are by law appropriated for the support of the colleges. The

    		•
  • Q : Difference among proforma financial

    Describe difference among pro forma financial statements and a cash budget? Depict why pro forma financial statements are not utilized to forecast cash needs. Pro forma income statements deal along with revenues and expenses which are not alway

    		•
  • Q : What is means of correlation

    What does this mean while we say that the correlation coefficient for two variables is -1? What does it mean if this value were zero? What does it mean if it were +1?Correlation is calculated by the correlation coefficient, represented through t

    		•