--%>
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 : 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 : Explain Pro Rata Pro Rata : It is the

    Pro Rata: It is the amount of state administrative costs, paid from General Fund and the Central Service Cost Recovery Fund (example, amounts expended by the central service departments like the State Treasurer's Office, State Controller's Office, Sta

    		•
  • Q : Absolute and relative sizes of the

    Normal 0 false false

    		•
  • Q : Unsustainable previous interest rate

    Normal 0 false false

  • 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 : Marketing of hardware stores Normal 0

    Normal 0 false false

    		•
  • Q : Define Price Increase Price Increase :

    Price Increase: Budget adjustment to reflect the inflation factors for particular operating expenses constant with the budget instructions from the Department of Finance.

    		•
  • Q : Describe depreciation expense Describe

    Describe depreciation expense as it seems on the income statement.  Accounting depreciation is the allocation of asset's primary cost over time. Depreciation cost on an income statement is the amount of the asset=s initial cost allocated to

    		•
  • Q : What is Proposition 98 Proposition 98 :

    Proposition 98: An initiative passed in the year November 1988, and amended in the year June 1990 election, which provides a minimum funding guarantee for school districts, community college districts, and other state agencies which give direct elemen

    		•
  • Q : Frequency Distribution What is

    What is Frequency Distribution? Compare Categorical Frequency Distribution, Ungrouped Frequency Distribution, Grouped Frequency Distribution?

    		•