World Quant Assignment
World Quant Assignment
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GROUP WORK PROJECT # 1 MScFE 600: FINANCIAL DATA
Group Number: 4755
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GROUP WORK PROJECT # 1 MScFE 600: FINANCIAL DATA
Group Number: 4755
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GROUP WORK PROJECT # 1 MScFE 600: FINANCIAL DATA
Group Number: 4755
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GROUP WORK PROJECT # 1 MScFE 600: FINANCIAL DATA
Group Number: 4755
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GROUP WORK PROJECT # 1 MScFE 600: FINANCIAL DATA
Group Number: 4755
Money at a 1. Project Cost Fluctuations: Construction 1. Correlation with Real Estate Market:
fixed rate for a projects often face cost overruns due to The success and value of construction
business for a unforeseen factors such as material price projects are often closely correlated
construction increases, labor shortages, or changes in with the real estate market's health,
loan. project scope. These can cause significant affecting both the project's viability
volatility in the financial needs and and the loan's security.
viability of the project. 2. Correlation with Economic
2. Market and Economic Volatility: The Conditions: Construction projects and
value and success of the construction their financing can be significantly
project can be highly sensitive to market impacted by broader economic
and economic conditions, including real conditions, including employment
estate market trends, interest rate rates, economic growth, and
changes, and broader economic cycles. consumer confidence.
3. Interest Rate Movements and 3. Dependency on Supply Chain
Refinancing Risks: Although the loan is at Dynamics: The construction industry
a fixed rate, the broader interest rate is dependent on supply chains for
environment can impact the project's materials and labor. Disruptions or
overall financing, especially if there is a changes in these supply chains can
need for refinancing or securing have a correlated impact on project
additional funds. costs and timelines.
4. Regulatory and Environmental Changes: 4. Correlation with Interest Rate
Changes in regulations, zoning laws, or Trends: For businesses managing
environmental requirements can multiple loans or considering future
introduce volatility into the project's borrowing, there is a correlation
costs and timeline, affecting the loan's between the fixed-rate loan's
stability and the project's feasibility. conditions and the overall interest
rate environment, which can
influence refinancing options and the
cost of future borrowing.
Publicly traded
Equity 1. Price: Equity prices can be highly volatile. 1. Market: Equities, highly correlated
This volatility may lead to significant with the overall market, may lead to
changes in the value of the collateral, loss at the same time when the
requiring frequent rebalancing of the market is in a downturn which could
collateral to maintain the loan. worsen the financial challenges faced
2. Margin Calls: High volatility can trigger by the borrower
margin calls if the value of the collateral 2. Collateral: If the borrowed securities
falls below the threshold. This can create and collateral are correlated,
cash flow challenges for the borrower. Concurrent declines could leave
3. Risk Management: Handling the lenders vulnerable to default.
uncertainties tied to fluctuating equities 3. Diversification: Equities, highly
can be a bit tricky and might call for some correlated with each other, as
advanced risk management tactics and collateral, may not provide effective
plans. diversification, which tries to average
risk in the asset.
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GROUP WORK PROJECT # 1 MScFE 600: FINANCIAL DATA
Group Number: 4755
Publicly traded
bond 1. Interest Rate: The volatility of the 1. Interest Rates: The value of a bond
interest rate affects directly bonds, will decrease if the interest rate rises,
leading to significant changes in the value or vice versa, especially in cases of
of the collateral. To maintain the loan, high correlation, which can pose
frequent rebalancing of collateral is challenges for struggling borrowers.
required [3] 2. Collateral: If the borrowed securities
2. Credit Spread: Corporate bonds are also and collateral are correlated,
sensitive to changes in credit spreads. If Concurrent declines could leave
the creditworthiness of the issuer lenders vulnerable to default.
deteriorates, the price of the bond could 3. Diversification: Bonds, highly
decrease, affecting the value of the correlated with each other, as
collateral. collateral, may not provide effective
3. Margin Calls: High volatility can trigger diversification, which tries to average
margin calls if the value of the collateral risk in the asset.
falls below a certain threshold, leading to
cash flow challenges for the borrower.
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GROUP WORK PROJECT # 1 MScFE 600: FINANCIAL DATA
Group Number: 4755
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GROUP WORK PROJECT # 1 MScFE 600: FINANCIAL DATA
Group Number: 4755
Step 6. Describe how the data can help to meet the challenge
Scenario How can the data help to meet the above challenges?
Money at a fixed rate for an Using the credit scores and interest rates data:
unsecured purchase
The challenge addressed: Creditworthiness Assessment Risk
● By analyzing the credit scores, you can identify trends and patterns in
the creditworthiness of individuals.
● Linking interest rates to credit scores allows for a comprehensive
assessment of the risk associated with fixed-rate unsecured purchases.
● Graphing the relationship between interest rates and credit scores can
provide a visual representation of the impact on creditworthiness as
interest rates change.
● This data can assist in developing predictive models to estimate the
likelihood of default based on creditworthiness and interest rate
fluctuations.
● For Example - If the credit scores show a declining trend, it may indicate
a higher risk of default, impacting the financing team's decision-making
process.
Money at a floating rate Using real estate values and interest rates data:
for a secured purchase Challenge addressed: Interest Rate Fluctuation Risk, Property Value Fluctuations
● Analyzing real estate values in conjunction with interest rates provides
insights into the correlation between property values and changes in
interest rates.
● Graphing the relationship between interest rates and real estate values
can illustrate how fluctuations in interest rates impact the value of the
collateral.
● This data can assist in assessing the risk of default by understanding the
sensitivity of property values to interest rate changes.
● For Example - If there is a consistent negative correlation between
interest rate increases and real estate values, it may signal potential
challenges in securing the loan amount with the property as collateral.
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GROUP WORK PROJECT # 1 MScFE 600: FINANCIAL DATA
Group Number: 4755
Money at a fixed rate for a Using Project Valuation and Business Credit Data:
business for a construction loan.
The Challenge Addressed: Project Viability and Financial Risk
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GROUP WORK PROJECT # 1 MScFE 600: FINANCIAL DATA
Group Number: 4755
References
[1] Majaski, Christina, “Secured Debt vs. Unsecured Debt: What’s the Difference?”,
www.investopedia.com ,
https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/110614/what-difference-between-secured-and-unsecured-
debts.asp
[2] Nichols, Mark, “ Why firms should embrace collateral management transformation”, www.ey.com
https://www.ey.com/en_gr/banking-capital-markets/why-firms-should-embrace-collateral-management-
transformation
[3] Lioudis, Nick, “Inverse Relation Between Interest Rates and Bond Prices”, www.investopedia.com
https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/why-interest-rates-have-inverse-relationship-bond-prices/
[5] “Credit Scoring Models: Evaluating Creditworthiness with Deciles” 12 Dec 2023
www.fastercapital.com
https://fastercapital.com/content/Credit-Scoring-Models--Evaluating-Creditworthiness-with-Deciles.html
[6] Segal, Troy, “How Interest Rates Affect Property Values” www.investopedia.com 11 May 2022
https://www.investopedia.com/articles/mortgages-real-estate/08/interest-rates-affect-property-values.a
sp
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