Research Paper

This Model Insight document discusses the performance and updates of MSCI Agency MBS prepayment and mortgage rate models through the COVID-19 pandemic.

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MSCI Event

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Research Paper

During this unprecedented time, we are observing severe spikes in liquidity parameters. In order to keep you informed, we have created the MSCI Liquidity Risk Monitor Special Report, a weekly interim report, demonstrating the behavior of several liquidity risk indicators during the global COVID-19 crisis. Use this report to view movement of key liquidity indicators, as well as to communicate these trends with your internal and external stakeholders.

Risk Management Analytics

Research Paper

The document describes the impact of MSCI Prepayment Model updates for the 2020 Adverse Market Refinance Fee. Initially planned to be effective from September 1, 2020, this additional surcharge has been announced by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (Enterprises), to cope with the increasing credit loss related to COVID-19 pandemic. On August 25, 2020, Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) directed the Enterprises to delay the implementation until December 1, 2020 and exempt refinance loans with...

Risk Management Analytics

Research Paper

In this study, we focus on some of the issues investors face when constructing long-only non-optimized single-factor portfolios using simple heuristics-based rank-select-weight algorithms. In doing so, investors may ask: Should they start from a universe of securities with a fixed target-market-cap coverage or a fixed number of securities? Should they assess factor exposure based on single or multiple factor descriptors? How broad a subset of securities will they use from the underlying...

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Research Paper

This is the second in a series of research papers proposing MSCI’s best practices for fund liquidity risk management. Here we propose best practices for liquidity stress testing at funds, drawing on guidelines from the European Securities and Markets Authority for undertakings for the collective investment in transferable securities (UCITS) and alternative investment funds. When designing market stress tests, we create both historical and hypothetical scenarios. Both cover at least three...

Risk Management Analytics

Research Paper

This is the first in a series of research papers proposing MSCI best practices for fund liquidity risk management. These practices were developed over the past years in collaboration with asset-management firms that have adopted MSCI’s liquidity risk management tools. The objectives of this study are as follows: to draw a synthesis from the progress generated in the field of fund liquidity risk management and address fund liquidity risk management through a systematic formulation of the...

Risk Management Analytics

Research Paper

The valuation of mortgage-backed securities is highly dependent on the accuracy and mathematical construction of the chosen interest-rate models. In this document, we discuss two key aspects of the choice of an interest-rate model for MBS: volatility skew and correlation structures of forward rates.

Risk Management Analytics

Research Paper

COVID-19 disrupted the operating models of many businesses and forced a shift to remote working, digitization and low-contact transactions and services, which we term “Remote Operation Capability” (ROC). Some corporations were better positioned to take advantage of a remote, automated and digitized operating environment. We utilized machine-learning and natural language-processing techniques to build a potential ROC factor that looks at the extent to which a company was more likely to thrive...

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