FOX Translator
No data currently available.
No data currently available.
A popular Wendy's commercial in the 80s made famous the question: "Where's the beef?" Good one. And here's an even better one: "Where's the alpha?" You might want to whip this one out the next time you meet with your portfolio manager.
Alpha is the over-and-above-the-expected return. It is the "value added." Therefore, it makes sense that a positive alpha means an investment has outperformed its market-predicted return, while a negative alpha would mean just the opposite. The expected return is calculated by a formula that takes into account the investment's level of unavoidable risk (aka beta).
Ever stepped into an elevator and after the doors close you become aware of an almost-suffocating scent coming from the woman next to you who must have bathed in perfume? Well, as you know, once the doors close you can't escape the smell until the ride is over. This is similar to beta, which is risk that can't be reduced or diversified away. A measure of "systematic" or market related risk, beta is used as a measure relative to a certain index -- such as the S&P 500.
So, for example, let¿s say your portfolio is managed to compete against the S&P 500. If you generate a better return than the index while not taking on added risk (standard deviation of returns) then you get alpha. Low beta means the market-related risk is low and vice versa for high beta.
Another example, let's say a mutual fund or stock has a beta of 1.5 relative to the S&
P500 ¿ that means it is 1.5 times as risky. So, over time, if the S&P 500 goes up 1%, your portfolio should be up 1.5%
plus (one can hope) some percentage of alpha. If the S&P 500 is down 1%, your portfolio should be down 1.5%.
Alpha
and beta are based off of linear regression of a set of data. Warning: this may cause a high school fifth-period flashback,
but it will be over before you know it:
The equation for a line is Y = a + bX.
a = alpha (the Y intercept - the added
value)
b = Beta (the coefficient you multiply X by)
X = S&P 500 (in this case)
Y = your portfolio
Home / Markets / Industries / Media
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Platts Steel Markets Daily Is Now Reporting Prices Of Hot-Rolled Coil And Rebar Originating From Asia
Comtex
LONDON, May 15, 2008 (PR Newswire Europe via COMTEX News Network) ----Platts, one of the world's foremost providers of energy and metals information, today announced it is expanding its suite of spot price assessments in global metals to include steel exported from China, specifically hot-rolled coil (HRC) and concrete reinforcing bar (rebar).
"We're pleased we can answer the steel industry's call for a reliable source of timely, transparent and independent steel price information from Asia as well as provide the financial industry with an additional price series to help anticipate economic activity and price trends," said Platts Global Director of Steel Francis Browne.
The new Asia price series expands Platts' coverage of steel and scrap product prices from 21 to 23, and better equips industry and other metals market observers with a more complete data series for more comprehensive analysis of spot metals prices globally.
The assessments are generated from the free-on-board (FOB) value of key internationally traded steel products HRC and rebar, and recognize China's important participation in the world's markets for these products. HRC is widely used for construction, appliance and automotive purposes. Rebar is used in the construction of such things as buildings, roads and bridges.
Platts Steel Markets Daily is an online and print publication containing news, market commentary and price information aimed at the steel, construction, and auto industries as well as commodities-focused money managers worldwide. The publication is one of five Platts products directed at the broader metals industry. Platts has reported on the broader supply and demand fundamentals of the metals markets for 30 years, drawing on the tradition of its parent company, The McGraw-Hill Companies, which has covered the metals market for more than 75 years.
Platts' price assessment methodology in steel was developed in consultation with a cross section of key industry players and draws upon Platts' century of experience in benchmark price reporting in the energy markets. For more information about the Platts price assessment process visit http://www.platts.com.
About Platts:
Platts, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP), is a leading global provider of energy and commodities information. With nearly a century of business experience, Platts serves customers across more than 150 countries. From 17 offices worldwide, Platts serves the oil, natural gas, electricity, nuclear power, coal, emissions, petrochemical and metals markets. Platts' real time news, pricing, analytical services, and conferences help markets operate with transparency and efficiency. Traders, risk managers, analysts, and industry leaders depend upon Platts to help them make better trading and investment decisions. Additional information is available at http://www.platts.com.
About The McGraw-Hill Companies:
Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP) is a leading global information services provider meeting worldwide needs in the financial services, education and business information markets through leading brands such as Standard & Poor's, McGraw-Hill Education, BusinessWeek and J.D. Power and Associates. The Corporation has more than 280 offices in 40 countries. Sales in 2007 were US$6.8 billion. Additional information is available at http://www.mcgraw-hill.com.
Web site: http://www.platts.com http://www.mcgraw-hill.com
Kathleen Tanzy, +1-212-904-2860, Kathleen_tanzy@platts.com, or Europe, Shiona Ramage, +44-207-176-6153, or Asia, Casey Yew, +65-653-06552
Copyright (C) 2008 PR Newswire Europe
Market Snapshot
| Symbol | Last Price | Netchange | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| -- | -- | -- | -- |
| -- | -- | -- | -- |
| -- | -- | -- | -- |
| -- | -- | -- | -- |
| -- | -- | -- | -- |
