Search results

  1. Best type of PC for simulation

    Thank you for this information! One clarifying question: the sisoftware tests appear to suggest that graphics cards play a major part in improving simulation speeds, correct? How to take full advantage of this?
  2. Best type of PC for simulation

    I'm planning to build a PC for running heavy simulations that would take up days, probably even weeks on my current workstation. Let's say I want to build a computer solely for simulation purposes. Is CPU then the only component that matters? Or does RAM play a part too?
  3. Simulate a multivariate binary distribution

    How do I generate n random variables, \(X_i\in\{-1,1\}\) with known probabilities \(p_i=P(X_i=1)\) and \(p_{ij}=P(X_i=1 \wedge X_j=1)+P(X_i=-1 \wedge X_j=-1)\)? 
 I found a package for R for simulating binary variables (i.e. \(X_i\in\{0,1\}\)), however, it doesn't produce the correct result if I...
  4. Best instrument/method for speculation?

    Ok, what about CFDs (Contract For Difference)? Essentially the same thing?
  5. Best instrument/method for speculation?

    Correct, but assume the risk free rate is so small (for example, for a period of one week) that it is not relevant for the question.
  6. Best instrument/method for speculation?

    Let's say that you are certain that the price of a stock is going up in the near future. You don't know how much it will go up, only that it most certainly is not going to decline. Of course, this is not necessarily a realistic situation, but let's say you are 100% sure that the stock won't...
  7. PhD and choices: quant or not?

    Actually, they are both PhD programs in economics. Finance is part of the broader definition of economics. At least this is the case where I study (Europe). As for the courses, the Finance program contains more microeconomics stuff whereas the Quant program is only math and statistics. I...
  8. PhD and choices: quant or not?

    I'm about to start PhD studies. However, I have a tough decision between two departments: Finance and Quantitative Economics. I need to decide which one to choose and it will be a major decision since I will be affiliated with that department for the next 4-5 years. Here are the pros and cons...
  9. Financial analyst - opinions?

    HyperVolatility, I completely agree with you in every point! Regarding market movements and flipping a coin, I have been talking about predicting the direction of a stock price or a currency exchange rate (can only move up or down), hence getting it right 50% is equivalent to flipping a coin.
  10. Financial analyst - opinions?

    I don't think a quant analyst is any better than a qualitative analyst at predicting stock prices or currency exchange rates. However, I see many other useful tasks for quants (and in fact, for qual analysts too) that are not related to giving public announcements about which stock to buy or sell.
  11. Financial analyst - opinions?

    If only stock prices would move according to real facts and not people's opinions about the future :) This is mainly why I have a negative attitude to predicting stock prices. (Yes, stock price tend to follow what's happening with the company in the real world, however, analyst business is...
  12. Financial analyst - opinions?

    That's what I was trying to explain dale, just how ridiculous it is for someone to say that they can make genuine predictions about the future. I'm not sure if you understood me correctly? I'm the one trying to underline what nonsense the analyst business appears to be.
  13. Financial analyst - opinions?

    Andy, I respect your opinions, but your logic in this matter is a bit tenous. Isn't an analyst's job essentially about trying to predict future :) A simple calculation: No one can predict the future 100% correctly, but assume there is an expert analyst, who can get the direction of interest...
  14. Financial analyst - opinions?

    Andy, after you have stated that, let me ask you a very important question: Why would anyone, with the ability of predicting the future, want to work as an analyst if they are forbidden to trade?
  15. Financial analyst - opinions?

    By asking that, I think you have not understood the inner nature of the position and influence of an analyst. A well-known analyst who can influence the markets is right more often than an analyst who has no effect on the investors' behavior. Example: Well-known analyst says "Buy company A's...
  16. Financial analyst - opinions?

    No analyst is right 100% of the time. Actually, in my first post to this thread I was wondering if anyone knows any surveys or research reports. I think I've seen a report somewhere that shows that even the best analysts are right only like 60% of the time. I personally know an analyst by the...
  17. Financial analyst - opinions?

    Thanks Andy for your input. I have to disagree with this one: a well-known analyst has an incentive to take an investment position and then write a public report concerning their holding. For example, I know many cases where a powerful analyst buys an asset, then writes something like...
  18. Financial analyst - opinions?

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Financial_analyst This is what I was talking about. Can anyone find a report that says how accurate analysts' predictions really are? Also, one needs to take into account the fact that analysts are also part of a financial advisor's investment plan, i.e. they have...
  19. Financial analyst - opinions?

    I appreciate your frantic defense for quants, but you are on a rampage for no reason. See, I am with you in this matter, I am one of the "quants". The question here was about qualitative financial analyst jobs. Do you even know what those people do? We are talking about people who may have no...
  20. Financial analyst - opinions?

    Over 200 views, no opinions. Come on guys...just let me know what you think!
  21. Financial analyst - opinions?

    I have been interviewed for a financial analyst's position in a large commercial bank. I'm not particularly keen on the position, I'm more or less trying to find out what I want to do. To me, a (qualitative) analysts job has always seemed like bogus, sort of like fortune telling. To my...
  22. Which programming language for faster optimization and iterative processes?

    I'll add another question regarding C++: What about matrix algebra and basic statistical concepts, C++ doesn't include these? Does that mean that I would have to first teach the program how to multiple and invert matrices and then go on to write the optimization part?
  23. Which programming language for faster optimization and iterative processes?

    I am currently using statistical programming languages, such as R, for optimization processes. The problem is, R and the like can be deadly slow when it comes to for-loops and iterative processes. Is C++ the best language when it comes to speed and performing loops? In general, what is the best...
  24. Which road should I take?

    I'm a graduate student in Finance, currently doing research for my Master's thesis. My studies have been going quite well and I have a lot of interest and knowledge on mathematical finance and investment management, so I have started to think about doctoral studies. I have a background in...
Back
Top