--%>
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 : Describe security Normal 0 false false

    Normal 0 false false

    		•
  • Q : Explain the role of a dealer in the OTC

    Normal 0 false false

    		•
  • Q : Describe Schedule 7A Schedule 7A : The

    Schedule 7A: The summary version of the State Controller’s Office detailed Schedule 8 position register for each department. The information replicated in this schedule is the base for the “Salaries and Wages Supplement” exhibited on

    		•
  • Q : What is Department Department: The

    Department: The governmental organization, generally belonging to the third level of the state organizational hierarchy as stated in the Uniform Codes Manual.

    		•
  • Q : Cyclical unemployment Suppose that in a

    Suppose that in a specific year the natural rate of unemployment is 5 percent and the actual rate of unemployment is 9 percent. Employ Okun's law to fin out the size of the GDP gap in percentage-point terms. If the nominal GDP is $500 billion in that year, how much ou

    		•
  • Q : What is Appropriation Without Regard To

    What is Appropriation Without Regard To Fiscal Year (AWRTFY): The appropriation for a particular amount that is obtainable from year to year until completely expended.

    		•
  • Q : How would the market price of a bond be

    All other things held constant, how would the market price of a bond be influenced if coupon interest payments were made semiannually rather than annually?Most of bonds issued in the United States pay interest semiannually (twice per year). Alo

    		•
  • Q : Explain Administration Program Costs

    Administration Program Costs: It is the indirect cost of a program, usually a share of the costs of the administrative units serving the whole department (example, the Director's Office, Personnel, Legal, Accounting, and Business Serv

    		•
  • Q : Impact of an increase in the total

    Normal 0 false false

  • Q : What is a fund Fund: A lawful budgeting

    Fund: A lawful budgeting and accounting entity which offers for the segregation of moneys or other resources in the State Treasury for obligations in accordance with particular restrictions or limitations. A separate set of accounts should be maintain

    		•