--%>
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 : Advantages-disadvantages of internal

    Describe advantages and disadvantages of the internal rate of return method? The internal rate of return method is discounted cash flow method and number expressed like a percentage. Typically these are seen as advantages. The main disadvantag

    		•
  • Q : Problem on banks Customers arrive at a

    Customers arrive at a bank with 2 tellers. The manager took the following data for 11 customers during a busy time. The manager has asked you to:(a) Create an event log. (b) Calculat

    		•
  • Q : What is Enrolled Bill Report Enrolled

    Enrolled Bill Report (EBR): The analysis prepared on Legislative measures passed by both houses and passed on to the Governor, to give the Governor’s Office with information relating to the measure with a recommendation for action by the Governo

    		•
  • Q : Explain Administratively Established

    Administratively Established Positions: The positions authorized by the Department of Finance throughout a fiscal year that were not comprised in the Budget and are essential for workload or administrative reasons. These positions fin

    		•
  • Q : Describe the role of cash and of

    Describe the role of cash and of earnings while a corporation is deciding how much, if any, cash dividends to pay to common stockholders. In the long-run earnings are essential to maintain dividend payments; however at the time an actual dividen

    		•
  • Q : How are financial trades made in an

    How are financial trades made in an over the counter market?On the contrary to the organized exchanges that have physical locations, the over the counter market contain no fixed location, or more accurately, it is everywhere. The over the counte

    		•
  • Q : What can financial institution do for a

    What can a financial institution frequently do for a deficit economic unit (DEU) which it would have complexity doing for itself if the DEU were to deal directly with an SEU?SEUs typically desire to supply a small amount of funds, while DEUs typ

    		•
  • Q : Question related to MPC Normal 0 false

    Normal 0 false false

  • Q : Explain the basic goal of a business

    Normal 0 false false

    		•
  • Q : Describe sunk cost Describe sunk cost?

    Describe sunk cost? Is it relevant while evaluating a proposed capital budgeting project? Describe. A sunk cost is a cash flow which has already occurred, or that will take place, whether a project is accepted or discarded. It is irrelevant wh

    		•