--%>

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 : Do mergers result in layoffs Do mergers

    Do mergers result in layoffs?Entire employment in the banking industry in fact has increased slightly over the last ten years. Some mergers do result in layoffs. Though, several banks demolish their staff largely through attrition to ease the tr

  • Q : Change in GDP Normal 0 false false

    Normal 0 false false

  • Q : Effect of bank charges discount

    What happens while a bank charges discount interest on a loan? While a bank charges discount interest on a loan the required interest payment is subtracted through the loan proceeds at the time the loan is made. It makes the effective interest

  • Q : Describe usual pattern of cash flows

    Describe usual pattern of cash flows for share of preferred stock? How does the market fidn out the value of a share of preferred stock, given these promised cash flows?Preferred stock contains no maturity date hence, it has no maturity value.

  • Q : Computing the amount of excess reserves

    Normal 0 false false

  • Q : How do flotation costs influence the

    Normal 0 false false

  • Q : Describe matching principle of working

    Describe matching principle of working capital financing? Explain the benefits of following this principle? The matching principle is while short-term financing is utilized for temporary current assets while long-term financing is utilized for

  • Q : Describe the role of a broker in

    Describe the role of a broker within security transactions? How are brokers compensated?Brokers handle orders to purchase or sell securities. Brokers are agents who work in support of an investor. While investors call with an order, brokers work

  • Q : Revision Order #2 Hello, You folks

    Hello, You folks recently completed an order for me. I'm very impressed and much thanks in advance. I'd like to submit more problems (8 attached) if you can have the same expert work on these please? Some of the #'s were slightly modified from my previous order, so should be easier than starting

  • Q : Determine the new per unit cost of

    Normal 0 false false