This paper demonstrates how BarraOne's Performance Analytics, the correlated stress test engine, and the risk forecasting model can all be integrated to support the investment decision process. Using a case study, we follow the decisions of a hypothetical bond portfolio manager before and after the September 17, 2013 FOMC meeting where the Fed decided to delay tapering their bond-buying program. We leverage the MSCI Macroeconomic Model to forecast the outcome of the decision on tapering, then...

Scenario propagation is the second stage of predictive stress testing practices, following scenario definition. This paper illustrates common pitfalls and suggests best practices for a robust propagation of the shockwave of a prospective scenario onto all relevant risk factors of a financial portfolio. The central observation: Risk managers must guard against “noise” in the predictions. Diagnostic statistics can reduce noise and ensure meaningful predictions. Key best practices include: the...

This Product Insight focuses on fixed income attribution and illustrates how an integrated risk and performance analysis can be carried out with BarraOne, for a corporate bond portfolio invested using a credit value strategy. The effectiveness of the analysis is illustrated in an important "real world" use case, showing how investors can analyze strategies which target the credit alpha coming from exposure to spread risk.

The persistent decline in Chinese equities and commodity prices this summer renewed investor concerns about a possible economic hard landing in the Asian giant.

Stress Testing the Greek Exit Scenario Using MSCI RiskManager This Product Insight uses MSCI RiskManager to examine the potential effects of a Greek exit from the euro, explaining the detailed assumptions behind our stress test design. We make use of RiskManager's predictive stress test tool, which starts with user-defined hypothetical shocks on a few core risk factors (singled out as the drivers of the global crisis) then propagates shocks on all markets. In this current exercise, we employ...

This paper demonstrates how BarraOne's Performance Analytics, the correlated stress test engine, and the risk forecasting model can all be integrated to support the investment decision process. Using a case study, we follow the decisions of a hypothetical bond portfolio manager before and after the September 17, 2013 FOMC meeting where the Fed decided to delay tapering their bond-buying program. We leverage the MSCI Macroeconomic Model to forecast the outcome of the decision on tapering, then...