Tech and NewsT2

Mean - Reverting Trading System - Quantitative Trading In Python

Mon, 26 Apr 2021 23:25:12 +0000

We develop a simple trading system exploiting the mean-reverting behaviour of the SP500 market index. To generate buy and sell signals, we will use simple moving averages as noise filters. Since we know that the SP500 is mean-reverting in a short term, we will use short-term moving averages. http://tech.harbourfronts.com/mean-reverting-trading-system-quantitative-trading-in-python/

Asset Price Dynamics and Trading Strategy’s PnL Volatility

Fri, 31 Dec 2021 03:15:55 +0000

In a previous post, we discussed how the dynamics of assets are priced in the options prices. We recently came across a newly published article [1] that explored the same topic but from a different perspective that does not involve options.

The conclusion of the new article [1] is consistent with the previous one [2]; that is, the volatilities of mean-reverting assets are smaller than those of assets that follow the GBM process. The reverse applies to trending assets.

In this post, we are going to investigate whether the mean-reverting/trending property of an asset has any impact on a trading strategy’s PnL volatility.

To do this, we first generate asset prices using Monte Carlo simulations. We evolve the asset prices in both mean-reverting and trending regimes for 500 days. We then apply a simple trading system to the simulated asset prices. The trading system is as follows,

Go LONG when the Relative Strength Index <40, SHORT when the Relative Strength Index >70

The picture below shows the Autocorrelation Functions (ACF) of the asset returns. Panels (a) and (b) present ACFs of the trending and mean-reverting assets respectively. It’s clear that the assets are trending and mean-reverting at lag 3, respectively.

[caption id="attachment_410" align="aligncenter" width="576"] Autocorrelation Functions of asset returns[/caption]

The picture below shows the simulated equity curves of the trading strategy applied to the trending (a) and mean-reverting (b) assets. The starting capital is $100 in both cases.

[caption id="attachment_411" align="aligncenter" width="583"] Equity curves of the trading strategy[/caption]

Visually, we do not observe any difference in terms of PnL dispersion. Indeed, the standard deviation of the terminal wealth at day 500 is $18.9 in the case of the trending asset (a), and $17.3 in the case of the mean-reverting asset (b). Is the difference statistically significant? We don’t think so.

This numerical experiment shows that the PnL volatility of a trading strategy has little to do with the underlying asset’ mean-reverting/trending property. Maybe it depends more on the strategy itself? (Note that in this example, we utilize a mean-reverting strategy). What would happen at the portfolio level?

References

[1] L. Middleton, J. Dodd, S. Rijavec, Trading styles and long-run variance of asset prices, 2021, arXiv:2109.08242

[2] Liao, S.L. and Chen, C.C. (2006), The valuation of European options when asset returns are autocorrelated, Journal of Futures Markets, 26, 85-102.

Learn More Here: Asset Price Dynamics and Trading Strategy’s PnL Volatility

How to Calculate Stock Beta in Excel-Replicating Yahoo Stock Beta

Fri, 11 Sep 2020 14:42:13 +0000

In a previous post, we presented a method for calculating a stock beta and implemented it in Python. In this follow-up post, we are going to implement the calculation in Excel. We continue to use Facebook as an example. http://tech.harbourfronts.com/trading/calculate-stock-beta-excel-replicating-yahoo-stock-beta/

Valuation of Callable Putable Bonds-Derivative Pricing in Python

Mon, 31 Aug 2020 18:40:56 +0000

We are going to discuss valuation of a callable bond. We chose the Hull-White model to describe the interest rate dynamics. We then use a Python program to build a trinomial tree for the risk-free rates http://tech.harbourfronts.com/derivatives/valuation-callable-puttable-bonds-derivative-pricing-python/

Performance Share Units-Derivative Valuation in Python

Sat, 08 Aug 2020 16:46:14 +0000

Performance share units are hypothetical share units that are granted to you based mainly on corporate and/or individual performance. Structurally, they are very similar to restricted stock units except these are more focused on your performance. They are designed to mirror share ownership and you will generally be granted additional units having the same value as dividends being paid on the regular shares http://tech.harbourfronts.com/derivatives/performance-share-units-derivative-valuation-python/

We are a boutique financial service firm specializing in quantitative analysis, derivative valuation and risk management. Our clients range from asset management firms to industrial, non-financial companies. Our services include: Valuation of financial de

Sat, 14 Nov 2020 13:50:46 +0000

We are a boutique financial service firm specializing in quantitative analysis, derivative valuation and risk management. Our clients range from asset management firms to industrial, non-financial companies. Our services include: Valuation of financial derivatives such as convertible bonds, mortgage backed securities, variance swaps, credit default swaps, collateral debt obligation #finance #derivative #risk #hedge #accounting #quantitative #trading #investing

Modern Portfolio Theory-Portfolio Management in Python

Sat, 05 Dec 2020 21:54:13 +0000

Harry M. Markowitz is the founder of Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT) which originated from his 1952 essay on portfolio selection. In this post, we are going to provide a concrete example of implementing MPT in Python. Our portfolio consists of 3 Exchange Traded Funds (ETF): SPY, TLT, and GLD which track the S&P500, long-term Treasury bond, and gold respectively. http://tech.harbourfronts.com/trading/modern-portfolio-theory-portfolio-management-python/

The trend in the increased holding of risky assets continues. Because of Covid-19, the big banks now hold more illiquid, opaque assets than before. #debt #bond #loan #mortgage #risk #investing #equity

Tue, 25 Aug 2020 11:07:24 +0000

The trend in the increased holding of risky assets continues. Because of Covid-19, the big banks now hold more illiquid, opaque assets than before. #debt #bond #loan #mortgage #risk #investing #equity

A warrant is a financial derivative instrument that is similar to a regular stock option except that when it is exercised, the company will issue more stocks and sell them to the warrant holder. The valuation of warrants is similar to the valuation of sto

Wed, 19 Aug 2020 13:25:39 +0000

A warrant is a financial derivative instrument that is similar to a regular stock option except that when it is exercised, the company will issue more stocks and sell them to the warrant holder. The valuation of warrants is similar to the valuation of stock options except that the effect of dilution should be considered. #stock #option #quant #risk #investing #trading #volatility #warrant

Pair trading, or statistical arbitrage, is one of the oldest forms of quantitative trading. We are going to present some relevant statistical tests for analyzing the Australia/Canada pair. We chose this pair because these countries’ economies are tied str

Sun, 29 Nov 2020 13:31:36 +0000

Pair trading, or statistical arbitrage, is one of the oldest forms of quantitative trading. We are going to present some relevant statistical tests for analyzing the Australia/Canada pair. We chose this pair because these countries’ economies are tied strongly to the commodity sector, therefore they share similar characteristics and could be a good candidate for pair trading. #trading #statistics #arbitrage #volatility #quantitative #finance #python

Health Insurance Portability And Accountability Act

Wed, 03 Feb 2021 16:44:17 +0000

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 was enacted by the 404th United States Congress. It was created to protect individuals who need to change health insurance plans or providers due to changing health conditions or circumstances. It also encourages health insurance providers to allow change, regardless of whether the individual had coverage at the time the change takes effect. The Act is important for people who purchase insurance on their own and for employers who provide insurance to their employees. It encourages insurance companies and providers to cooperate with each other to provide adequate health insurance to all Americans. There are three main provisions under the Act that directly affect the insurance industry and health care providers.

The Act requires that all health insurance contracts are legally enforceable. It also requires all private health information technology systems to maintain certain standards of security. It also requires providers of health insurance to take measures to mitigate against unintentional disclosure of patients' health information to third parties. The Act also encourages companies and providers to work together to promote better patient care. One provision requires health information technology to periodically review security programs and recommend appropriate upgrades.

Both the health insurance portability and accountability act encourages providers and employers to consider electronic patient records (EPRS) a part of their EHBS or preferred provider organizations. Electronic health care records can include more than just date of birth or illness but can include a full medical history, discharge summary, surgical procedures, outpatient medication history, health plan documents, insurance claims, physician communications, and much more. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act also encourage health care providers and carriers to use EHRs to provide accurate and current health care records to patients.

Another provision of the health insurance portability and accountability act requires healthcare providers who do not use EHRs to give notice to patients and provide privacy protection protections. Healthcare providers are also required to update and make available to patients about their privacy security protections at least once each year. This is done through an Affidavit of Privacy Protection. Providers who fail to comply with this requirement may be subjected to fines.

An employer who does not have an EHR will still be required by law to provide employees access to their EHR. Employees may be required to designate a primary health care provider. EHR vendors must provide designated individuals with up-to-date, comprehensive health care reports on their health insurance coverage, including their Medicare and Medicaid coverage. The act also requires EHR vendors to provide notice of changes in policy, and procedures for choosing and purchasing health insurance, as well as how to cancel or change health insurance.

There are numerous regulations regarding health insurance portability and accountability, including definitions of terms, the rules for opting out of EHRs, and the reporting requirements. Each of these areas is the subject of a wide variety of State and Federal rules. Each year, numerous changes to the health insurance portability and accountability act are made in attempts to improve these systems.

Performance share units are hypothetical share units that are granted to you based mainly on corporate and/or individual performance. Structurally, they are very similar to restricted stock units except these are more focused on your performance. They are

Thu, 06 Aug 2020 16:37:35 +0000

Performance share units are hypothetical share units that are granted to you based mainly on corporate and/or individual performance. Structurally, they are very similar to restricted stock units except these are more focused on your performance. They are designed to mirror share ownership and you will generally be granted additional units having the same value as dividends being paid on the regular shares. #stock #option #finance #market #trading #investing #risk

We are going to discuss valuation of a callable bond. We chose the Hull-White model to describe the interest rate dynamics. We then use a Python program to build a trinomial tree for the risk-free rates #derivative #trading #risk #hedge #python #investmen

Sat, 29 Aug 2020 14:07:12 +0000

We are going to discuss valuation of a callable bond. We chose the Hull-White model to describe the interest rate dynamics. We then use a Python program to build a trinomial tree for the risk-free rates #derivative #trading #risk #hedge #python #investment #bond

Valuing American Options Using Monte Carlo Simulation –Derivative Pricing in Python

Thu, 30 Jul 2020 14:57:00 +0000

We are going to present a method for valuing American options using Monte Carlo simulation. This method will allow us to implement more complex option payoffs with greater flexibility, even if the payoffs are path-dependent. Specifically, we use the Least-Squares Method of Longstaff and Schwartz in order to take into account the early exercise feature. The stock price is assumed to follow the Geometrical Brownian Motion. http://tech.harbourfronts.com/derivatives/valuing-american-options-using-monte-carlo-simulation-derivative-pricing-python/

Another reason for third stimulus checks: Jobless benefits not reaching 8 million people

Wed, 03 Feb 2021 16:58:12 +0000

Three in 4 unemployed workers don't get jobless benefits, making a third round of stimulus checks the best way to offer support, according to a analysis.

options trading strategies

Dow dips more than 100 points, falling for the first time in 3 days

Wed, 03 Feb 2021 15:45:05 +0000

On Tuesday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained more than 475 points.

options trading strategies

In a previous post, we presented a method for calculating a stock beta and implemented it in Python. In this follow-up post, we are going to implement the calculation in Excel. We continue to use Facebook as an example. #excel #python #beta #stock #tradin

Fri, 11 Sep 2020 14:38:04 +0000

In a previous post, we presented a method for calculating a stock beta and implemented it in Python. In this follow-up post, we are going to implement the calculation in Excel. We continue to use Facebook as an example. #excel #python #beta #stock #trading #investing #finance

Ford just overhauled its most rugged pickup and styled it after a fighter jet - see the new F-150 Raptor

Wed, 03 Feb 2021 16:00:00 +0000

2021 Ford F-150 Raptor.

Ford

Ford just unveiled the all-new, third generation of the F-150 Raptor.
It's the most rugged pickup truck Ford currently makes, intended for high-speed desert-running and leaping through the air.
No price was announced at this time, but the new Raptors will hit showrooms this summer.
Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

You knew it was coming.

Hot on the heels of June's 2021 Ford F-150 pickup truck reveal comes the new F-150 Raptor: the performance one. The off-roady one. The desert-running one. The leapy one. This is the one for the people who want a Baja 1000-ready pickup.

Powered by a 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine, Ford says the new Raptor will have an expected range of more than 500 miles. No pricing was announced at this time, but the truck will arrive in showrooms this summer. Next year, expect an even more hardcore F-150 Raptor R.

But for now, read on to see the 2021 F-150 Raptor, a pickup truck that Ford says was inspired by the F-22 Raptor fighter jet.

The 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor is the new, performance-oriented version of the pickup truck and designed for off-roading.

2021 Ford F-150 Raptor.

Ford

And it can leap through the air.

2021 Ford F-150 Raptor.

Ford

It marks the all-new, third generation of the off-roading truck.

2021 Ford F-150 Raptor.

Ford

The front fascia has been "completely redesigned," according to Ford.

2021 Ford F-150 Raptor.

Ford

The grille is blacked out and meant to give a sense of width.

2021 Ford F-150 Raptor.

Ford

The automaker says the truck was inspired by the F-22 Raptor fighter jet.

F-22 Raptor.

US Air Force

The functional side vents and the hood's new heat extractor have all apparently been inspired by the jet.

2021 Ford F-150 Raptor.

Ford

I don't see it, personally.

Inside, that idea of a jet continues in the highly technical cockpit.

2021 Ford F-150 Raptor.

Ford

The 12-inch digital gauge cluster features Raptor-specific animations and graphics.

2021 Ford F-150 Raptor.

Ford

The steering wheel has a top centering mark, aluminum paddle shifters, and a laser-etched logo.

2021 Ford F-150 Raptor.

Ford

The standard seats are bolstered, but you can option Recaro performance seats as well.

2021 Ford F-150 Raptor.

Ford

There are aluminum or carbon fiber interior packages.

2021 Ford F-150 Raptor.

Ford

There's apparently even more interior storage than before.

2021 Ford F-150 Raptor.

Ford

There's a spare tire mounted beneath the bed.

2021 Ford F-150 Raptor.

Ford

The new Raptor has a reengineered suspension system that will help it drive quickly over rough terrain.

2021 Ford F-150 Raptor.

Ford

There are Fox shocks and 24-inch coil springs.

2021 Ford F-150 Raptor.

Ford

The Raptor also comes with giant tires straight from the factory.

2021 Ford F-150 Raptor.

Ford

You can get either 35- or 37-inch tires.

2021 Ford F-150 Raptor.

Ford

When fitted with the 37-inch tires, the Raptor has a towering ground clearance of 13.1 inches.

2021 Ford F-150 Raptor.

Ford

Just like in the 2021 F-150, the Raptor will have a mobile generator.

2021 Ford F-150 Raptor.

Ford

There's an optional 360-degree camera that lets you see everything around you.

2021 Ford F-150 Raptor.

Ford

And there's something called "1-Pedal Drive."

2021 Ford F-150 Raptor.

Ford

Basically, this lets you drive your truck off-road without having to worry about two pedals.

2021 Ford F-150 Raptor.

Ford

Pressing the throttle moves the truck forward. Releasing it activates the brake.

2021 Ford F-150 Raptor.

Ford

The Raptor comes with Ford's twin-turbo 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine, though no official performance specs were released at this time.

2021 Ford F-150 Raptor.

Ford

However, Ford did say that low-end torque, maximum towing capabilities, and maximum payload have all been improved.

2021 Ford F-150 Raptor.

Ford

The truck is projected to have an EPA-estimated range of more than 500 miles with a full tank of gas.

2021 Ford F-150 Raptor.

Ford

Ford says the truck was designed to move quickly over rough terrain and also leap through the air.

2021 Ford F-150 Raptor.

Ford

No pricing was announced at this time, but you can expect the new Raptors to hit showrooms by summer.

2021 Ford F-150 Raptor.

Ford

And you can mark your calendar for an even more hardcore Raptor R in 2022.

2021 Ford F-150 Raptor.

Ford

Read the original article on Business Insider

options trading strategies

Is Health Insurance Premiums Tax Deductible?

Fri, 26 Mar 2021 14:02:48 +0000

Many people have the same question, are health insurance premiums tax deductible? This is a very good question and one that you need to consider carefully. Taxation can be complicated but there are ways that it can be worked around too. There are also several situations where you may be able to deduct them from your taxes. There are also situations where you may not be eligible to do this.

The most obvious situation when are health insurance premiums tax deductible? If you use the policy as medical coverage, then you are going to be able to deduct it. This also applies to COBRA, as long as you are not at fault for the policy. If your health insurance company cancels your policy or gives you a notice saying you are not qualified, then you can claim it back. This may be the easiest way to go about this but the deductions are going to depend on whether you are self-employed or not.

Another situation that may allow you to claim back your premiums is if you lose your job or become injured. There are many situations where you may be able to get injured and use the injury as a reason for quitting your job. There are many other situations as well. These include things like death in the family or the loss of your home or vehicle. As long as you can prove that it was an accident related to your health, then you will probably be able to get your policy back.

One of the last questions is when are health insurance premiums tax deductible? The actual date that you will be able to claim this money back depends on several factors. The first is how long you have held your policy. In the case of people who have been with the same insurance company for a number of years, they may have longer to claim back.

Another factor to consider is if you have changed jobs. If you have moved from one company to another in the past year then you should be able to qualify for a prorated return. Usually, the company will have to wait around nine months before they are able to give you the money back. There are some situations though where this won't apply and in these situations are health insurance premiums tax deductible?

You need to check with your tax preparer to see what the regulations are regarding this and whether you would qualify for a prorated return. You also need to make sure that you are not paying too much out for your insurance. If you do qualify for this, you can get a substantial reduction from the premiums that you pay. You can claim the entire amount of the premiums and this will help to save you a lot of money. However, you still need to document the claim and you should always keep copies of any receipts that you are able to get for this purpose.

Photo by mikecohen1872

Modern Portfolio Theory-Searching For the Optimal Portfolio-Portfolio Management in Python

Tue, 26 Jan 2021 17:10:59 +0000

We are going to search for the optimal portfolio, i.e. one that has the highest risk-adjusted return. To do so, we will maximize the portfolio’s Sharpe ratio. The Sharpe Ratio is a financial metric that helps investors determine the return of an investment compared to its risk. The higher the Sharpe Ratio of a portfolio, the better it is in terms of risk-adjusted return. http://tech.harbourfronts.com/modern-portfolio-theory-searching-for-the-optimal-portfolio-portfolio-management-in-python/

In the previous post, we introduced the Parkinson #volatility estimator that takes into account the high and low prices of a #stock. In this follow-up post, we present the Garman-Klass volatility estimator that uses not only the high and low but also the

Tue, 23 Jun 2020 22:07:30 +0000

In the previous post, we introduced the Parkinson #volatility estimator that takes into account the high and low prices of a #stock. In this follow-up post, we present the Garman-Klass volatility estimator that uses not only the high and low but also the opening and closing prices. #risk #hedge #quant #trading #investing #finance #vix #investment #stock #spy Garman-Klass (GK) volatility estimator consists of using the returns of the open, high, low, and closing prices in its calculation

Stocks Wobble Between Small Gains and Losses

Wed, 03 Feb 2021 16:10:00 +0000

Technology shares extended their rally as investors cheered earnings from Google parent Alphabet and awaited results from Qualcomm and PayPal.

options trading strategies

GW Pharmaceuticals soars 46% after Jazz Pharma agrees to $7.2 billion acquisition of the CBD biopharma company

Wed, 03 Feb 2021 16:33:18 +0000

Canada-based marijuana producer Aurora Cannabis pulled off a high sales volume during the early months of the coronavirus pandemic

Denver Post via Getty

GW Pharmaceuticals stock soared 46% on Wednesday after Jazz Pharma said it would buy the company for $7.2 billion.
The proposed deal will include $200 in cash and $20 in shares of Jazz Pharma, and is expected to close in the second quarter of 2021.
GW Pharma is the first company to receive FDA approval for medicine derived from the cannabis plant.
Sign up here for our daily newsletter, 10 Things Before the Opening Bell.

GW Pharmaceuticals soared as much as 46% on Wednesday after Jazz Pharma said it would acquire the company for $7.2 billion in cash and stock.

GW Pharma develops therapies derived from the marijuana plant. The UK-based company was the first to receive FDA approval for a cannabinoid-based therapy, Epidiolex, which is used to treat seizures in patients one-year and older.

Epidiolex has hit approximately $510 million in annual sales within two years of its launch.

GW Pharma's pipeline is centered around cannabinoid-based medicines targeting epilepsies within neuroscience.

The merger is expected to accelerate double-digit top-line revenue growth and will be accretive in the first full year of combined operations, and "substantially accretive thereafter," the press release said.

GW Pharma investors will receive $200 in cash and $20 in Jazz stock per share. The proposed deal price represents a 50% premium over GW's closing stock price on February 2 of $146.25.

Jazz will fund the acquisition with a combination of cash and debt financing.

"Given the strength of our balance sheet and the meaningful financial drivers of the transaction, we are confident in the value we can deliver to both companies' shareholders and patients," Jazz CEO Bruce Cozadd said.

The board of directors of both companies have approved the proposed merger and the deal is expected to close in the second quarter of 2021.

Shares of Jazz Pharma traded down 6% in Wednesday trades on the news.

Read the original article on Business Insider

options trading strategies

How Often Do Credit Card Frauds Get Caught?

Fri, 08 Jan 2021 16:25:14 +0000

How often do credit card frauds get caught? Every day thousands of dollars are lost by American consumers to fraudsters. Some people will try their luck on a huge scale, some will use just a few stolen credit cards and some will use one card as a sieve to sieve through the contents of another card. The sad fact is that most honest people do fall victim to credit card fraud.

To understand how often do credit card frauds get caught, it is good to know what the credit card companies do to protect themselves. All major companies make online transactions possible to ensure that they keep their businesses running. This can be done easily with encryption technology, which is built into all credit cards and the computer systems which process the information. Once this security has been put into place, the company cannot be robbed at any time, not even when the victim's personal details are no longer available. This is a measure adopted by all major credit card companies to make online transactions safe.

If you are an adult, you should be worried about how often do credit card frauds get caught if your parents' credit cards are lost or stolen. Most credit card companies will contact the cardholder and advise them of any unauthorized transactions made using their card. You will normally be charged for these charges and some companies may even add a small charge for informing them of the fraudulent activity. If you are still using the card, you will have to cancel it and inform the fraud department. They will investigate and will either cancel your card or recover it.

Another common way, how often do credit card fraudsters get caught is through the mail. Spammers will make use of the post office to send out unsolicited cards. Some will also target mail that contains sensitive personal information that can only be accessed by the owner. They may steal your address and other details to make online transactions more convenient for themselves.

Many people do not report credit card frauds because they are embarrassed or do not want to believe that they have been a victim. It is therefore important for you to understand how often do credit card frauds get caught before you inform the police or your bank. This way, you will be in a much better position to tell them what has happened and help them to take the appropriate actions.

How often do credit card frauds get caught also depends on how you use your card. If you are not planning to make online purchases, you will not get riled by a sudden charge. But if you tend to buy stuff online on a regular basis and keep track of your purchases, then chances are high that you will end up as a victim. Remember that there are many ways you can commit card fraud, but you can avoid these by following the rules set by your bank and the issuer of your card.

Employee Stock Options-Derivative Pricing in Python

Sun, 02 Aug 2020 22:15:29 +0000

Valuation of Employee Stock Options is different from regular stock options. In this post, we are going to implement the approach proposed by Hull and White. Specifically, we are going to implement the vesting and forfeiture rate features. Other features can also be implemented without difficulty http://tech.harbourfronts.com/derivatives/employee-stock-options-derivative-pricing-python/

Compare Credit Cards vs Line of Credit to Find Out Which Offers Offer You the Cheapest and Most Convenience

Sun, 10 Jan 2021 14:04:53 +0000

Getting the best credit card deals is a challenge that many Americans face every year. The constant changes in the financial industry can make choosing a credit card difficult for many consumers. Credit cards offer many benefits, but there are differences between the different credit cards and their respective limits of credit. Most credit card companies are competing to offer you the best credit card deals possible. In order to get the best credit card offers, you need to take a look at how those cards benefit you.

Some credit cards limit your purchases to a specific dollar amount each month. This limit is usually set for a certain number of months. However, many credit cards offer a credit card that allows you to pay no interest while using your credit card balance for purchases. This can save hundreds of dollars per month, depending on how much you use your credit card. If you have good credit, this may be an attractive credit card benefit for you.

Another credit card or line of credit comparison is a revolving credit card that allows you a credit limit of credit whenever you spend money. You can increase the credit limit as much as you like for an unlimited period of time. These types of credit cards generally do not come with any annual fees, but there may be a balance transfer fee at the end of your introductory period. This means that even though you will have interest charged on your balances, you will also have to pay that fee.

Some credit card companies offer cashback rewards programs. These programs can provide cashback on almost all purchases. They vary from credit card companies to credit card companies. You can find credit cards that give you cashback on gas, groceries, department store items, airline tickets, and other purchases. This type of credit card allows you to save money by buying things that you already know you would buy if you had the money.

If you are currently looking for a credit card, one of the best things that you can do is compare credit cards vs line of credit to determine which offers are the best deal. Look at the APR, or Annual Percentage Rate, to determine if this type of credit card is a good choice for your needs. Remember, the APR only tells you what the interest will be, not the total cost. The amount of interest that you pay is the cost you will pay on the entire outstanding balance. This is the most common reason why people look for lower credit limits. If you find the credit card with the lowest balance that has the lowest APR that also has an emergency funds feature, you can save money because you will have money in reserve when an emergency arises.

In addition, you should consider the transfer charges between credit cards. Some credit cards include an annual fee when transferring balances. This can add up to a large amount over the life of the loan, so you may want to look into all options before signing up for a credit card. Remember that just because there is a lower APR does not mean that it will have the same service as a higher APR. Most credit cards offer different incentives and rewards programs. Shop around to determine which offers are going to offer you the most convenience while saving the most money.

11 choices that shaped our favorite games, from glitches in 'Street Fighter II' to Zelda's name

Wed, 03 Feb 2021 16:12:58 +0000

The Italian plumber was originally named Jumpman.

Nintendo

From character names to genre changes, the most popular video games hide interesting origin stories.
Lara Croft was initially a supporting character while Mario was once called Jumpman.
From "Metal Gear" to "Mortal Kombat", these choices forever shaped the world's favorite video games.
Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

It's a struggle to imagine a video game world where Mario isn't called "Mario" or Lara Croft isn't the protagonist of "Tomb Raider."

But the games we know and love today could easily have been very different.

From the creative choices behind the color scheme of Sonic's sneakers and the naming of the "Final Fantasy" series to the inspiration behind Princess Zelda's name, here are some of the decisions that shaped the world's biggest video games.

Mario wasn't always called Mario

Jumpman resembled the landlord of the warehouse Nintendo was renting, Mario Segale.

Nintendo

He's one of the most popular video game characters ever and the official mascot of Nintendo — but Mario almost wasn't called Mario.

The Italian plumber was originally named Jumpman when "Donkey Kong" launched on the Japanese market. However, the makers wanted to broaden their horizons when the product launched in the US and thought about real names.

According to PC World, Minoru Arakawa, then-president of Nintendo in the US, realized Jumpman resembled the landlord of the warehouse Nintendo was renting at the time. The man was called Mario Segale, and so "Mario" stuck.

Since his launch, Mario has gone on to star in the "Mario Kart" franchise and the hit "Super Mario Odyssey", which even pays tribute to "Donkey Kong."

Sonic's sneakers were inspired by Michael Jackson

While Sonic is blue to reflect the company color scheme, few know why sneakers are red and white.

Paramount/Sega

When the video game developers at Sega were creating a character for Mario to go up against, they dreamt up Mr. Needlemouse, although he later became Sonic.

The reasoning behind the color scheme was explained by character designer Naoto Ohshima in an interview with Gamasutra: "I also thought that red went well for a character who can run really fast when his legs are spinning."

Although the hedgehog is blue to reflect the company colors, few know that his red and white sneakers were inspired by the cover of Michael Jackson's album "Bad."

The combos in Street Fighter II were an accident

The combos are now a defining feature of the franchise.

Capcom

If the first installment of the "Street Fighter" franchise laid the foundations for its popularity, the second catapulted it to superstardom with its killer combinations.

The team accidentally stumbled upon the combos, which allowed users to carry out basic and special moves in a sequence, Paste Magazine reported.

The combos are now a defining feature of the franchise and have been repeated time and time again.

Final Fantasy really was meant to be final

Before the game launched, video game developer Square was about to go under.

Square Enix

With more than 15 video games now in the franchise, it's hard to believe "Final Fantasy" was a product of difficult circumstances.

Before the game launched, video game developer Square was about to go under.

Square's former president, Hironobu Sakaguchi, named the game "Final Fantasy" because he planned to leave the video game industry if it didn't work out.

More than 33 years later things still don't look very final.

It wasn't always clear Samus from 'Metroid' would be a woman

It was in the 1980s that "Metroid" broke a trend of male-dominated characters.

Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

In 1986, Nintendo launched a game that became a key part of its Nintendo Entertainment System (NES).

While female protagonists are now increasingly common in the video game world, back then it was "Metroid" that broke a trend of male-dominated characters.

The gender of female protagonist Samus Aran isn't revealed until the very end of the game when she removes her armor and shows herself for the first time.

Series co-creator Yoshio Sakamoto told IGN the decision was made when, during a development meeting, a staff member said: "Hey, wouldn't that be kind of cool if it turned out that this person inside the suit was a woman?"

Samus continues to be popular, with the remake "Metroid: Samus Returns" released in 2017, and a new game "Metroid Prime 4" announced, although Nintendo decided to restart development in 2019 after it failed to meet quality standards.

McDonald's and Mike Tyson in 'Punch Out!!'

Mike Tyson Tries to Beat Himself in "Punch-Out!!"

YouTube / The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

Perhaps the funniest fact about "Punch Out!!" is that the short and feisty 17-year-old boxer character Little Mac derives his name from the McDonald's classic.

However, Mike Tyson's involvement gave "Punch Out!!" a whole new significance.

Minoru Arakawa, then-president of Nintendo in the US, was determined to include Tyson in the game as he saw a lot of potential in him.

They released Mike Tyson's "Punch Out!!" in 1987, and Uproxx claims Tyson was only paid $50,000 for his image to be used.

The game's Mike Tyson is notoriously difficult to beat — even the boxer himself couldn't do it.

Jean-Claude 'Mortal Kombat' Van Damme

D'Vorah, introduced in "Mortal Kombat X." The "Mortal Kombat" saga began in 1992.

"Mortal Kombat 11"/NetherRealm Studio

The famous "Mortal Kombat" saga, which now includes 11 installments, began in 1992 but initially was meant to be totally different.

Centering around Belgian actor Jean-Claude Van Damme, the original plan was to create a game based on the film "Universal Soldier" and have him fight against hundreds of colorful enemies.

However, negotiations with the actor didn't go well, Mel Magazine reported, and creators Midway decided to completely rebrand it, turning it into one of the most violent games of all time.

The franchise did however include Johnny Cage, a character inspired by Van Damme.

Originally, 'Metal Gear' wasn't a stealth game

"Metal Gear" was born after Kojima was inspired by 1963 classic "The Great Escape."

Konami

Now one of the most famous stealth games in video game history, "Metal Gear" wasn't initially about stealth at all; it was originally intended exclusively as an action game.

However, the limited tech at the time didn't quite accommodate designer Hideo Kojima's storyline and themes.

"Metal Gear" was born after he was inspired by 1963 classic "The Great Escape," which tells the story of how a group of soldiers plans to escape from a prison camp.

Lara Croft wasn't the main character of 'Tomb Raider'

Directed by Roar Uthaug.

Warner Bros. Pictures

When Core Design and Eidos Interactive first presented "Tomb Raider" in its early stages, the main character looked a little too much like movie archaeologist Indiana Jones — for whom they obviously didn't have a license.

To make the character stand out, designer Toby Gard proposed promoting a secondary female character to lead status, replacing the original idea.

They decided to go with it and created the image of Lara Croft as we know her today, with her trademark shorts and signature braid. The rest is history.

Zelda's namesake is a novelist's wife

The "Legend of Zelda" franchise is now hugely successful.

Nintendo

The name of Princess Zelda from "The Legend of Zelda," now a classic on NES, has an interesting literary origin.

Princess Zelda's name was inspired by Zelda Fitzgerald, the wife of "The Great Gatsby" novelist F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Shigeru Miyamoto of Nintendo said he liked the sound of the name and so it stuck.

The franchise is now hugely successful, with several new installments including 2019's "Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild."

'Resident Evil' started out as a remake of 'Sweet Home'

"Resident Evil: Village" will be coming to PS5 this year.

Capcom

Now one of the most popular horror franchises and the starting point for the survival horror genre, "Resident Evil" was originally going to be a remake of 1989 Capcom classic "Sweet Home."

However, the makers decided to go bigger, changing their idea from a first-person shooter to a third-person one. They took inspiration from the Overlook Hotel of "The Shining," and from other movies featuring haunted houses.

Read the original article on Business Insider

options trading strategies

Autocorrelation Properties of SP500-Quantitative Trading in Python

Wed, 31 Mar 2021 23:08:06 +0000

We are going to examine the mean-reverting and trending properties of SP500 directly using the autocorrelation functions. We do so with the goal of designing quantitative trading systems on stock indices. http://tech.harbourfronts.com/autocorrelation-properties-of-sp500-quantitative-trading-in-python/

S&P 500 is flat after two-day rally, Alphabet jumps on strong earnings

Wed, 03 Feb 2021 18:06:15 +0000

On Tuesday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained more than 475 points.

options trading strategies

Indexed for growth – The democratisation of thematic indexes

Fri, 25 Sep 2020 12:59:32 +0000

Simon Karaban, head of index services at Singapore Exchange, talks about environmental, social and governance indexes and how the emergence of exchange-traded funds and wealth platforms is democratising thematic indexes, making them more accessible to retail investors

Derivative Valuation

Modern Portfolio Theory introduces the concept of an efficient frontier. An efficient frontier represents a set of portfolios that maximize the expected returns for each level of risk or standard deviation. For every level of return that investors expect,

Sat, 12 Dec 2020 18:16:36 +0000

Modern Portfolio Theory introduces the concept of an efficient frontier. An efficient frontier represents a set of portfolios that maximize the expected returns for each level of risk or standard deviation. For every level of return that investors expect, there is an #investment that can offer them the lowest standard deviation. Similarly, for every level of risk, there is a #portfolio that gives the highest return. #risk #diversification #investing #trading #finance

CMBC MSTAR shines in volatile markets

Thu, 13 Aug 2020 12:23:24 +0000

Derivative Valuation

Stocks making the biggest moves midday: Alphabet, Spotify, GameStop, Amgen & more

Wed, 03 Feb 2021 17:38:25 +0000

Check out the companies making headlines in midday trading.

options trading strategies

What value does quantitative investing actually create for society? Quantitative investing is about arbitraging the small inefficiencies, so maybe it will make prices slightly more efficient. But is that worth the enormous infrastructure investment being

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 15:20:09 +0000

What value does quantitative investing actually create for society? Quantitative investing is about arbitraging the small inefficiencies, so maybe it will make prices slightly more efficient. But is that worth the enormous infrastructure investment being spent on it? #derivative #trading #risk #stock #option #finance #market #investing #quant

GameStop and other meme stocks rebound after sharp sell-off as Reddit traders 'hold the line'

Wed, 03 Feb 2021 16:08:22 +0000

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

GameStop, AMC, and other retail-trader favorites rebounded as the Reddit-fueled rally regained steam.
On Tuesday, a cohort of highly volatile stocks plummeted as investors secured profits and minimized losses.
The day-trader crowd is at a crossroads: Repeat recent weeks' wild rallies, or cash out.
Sign up here for our daily newsletter, 10 Things Before the Opening Bell.

GameStop, AMC Entertainment, and other Reddit darlings rebounded on Wednesday as retail investors banded together to "hold the line." The phrase has become a popular rallying cry on the Wall Street Bets subreddit among day traders hoping to preserve recent gains.

The group of highly shorted stocks plunged on Tuesday - including a 60% single-day drop for GameStop - as investors looked to secure gains or minimize losses.

The investors are at a crossroads: They can try again at bidding the names higher, or run for the exit.

Trading on Wednesday suggested that the coordination that powered last week's climb was wavering. GameStop rose as much as 26% in early trading, while AMC gained as much as 14%. BlackBerry climbed 4% at intraday highs, while Nokia and Bed Bath & Beyond posted similarly modest gains.

More-seasoned investors had repeatedly said that while some day traders could mint small fortunes through the Reddit-fueled surge, many who entered the trade late stood to lose big. The parabolic nature of the stocks' rally also lends itself to a similarly steep crash as profit-taking spurs others to sell out of concern that they'll be the last ones holding their shares.

It's possible the retail investors were encouraged by the easing of trading restrictions by Robinhood and other broker-dealers. Several trading platforms last week temporarily blocked investors from buying shares of GameStop, AMC, and other highly volatile stocks, saying they were trying to protect clients from unprecedented market risk.

Those policies have been somewhat reversed, allowing the army of day traders to continue buying at least some shares this week.

GameStop and most of the other so-called meme stocks still trade well above where they sat at the start of the year. Some companies have used the phenomenon to their advantage; AMC paid down debts and sold stock at extraordinary highs to extend its cash runway. Weeks after warning that it could go bankrupt, the company leveraged the retail-trader frenzy to stay afloat.

"The sun is shining on AMC," CEO Adam Aron said in a statement on January 25, adding that any talk of imminent bankruptcy was "completely off the table."

GameStop closed at $90 on Tuesday, up 367% year-to-date.

AMC closed at $7.82, up 262% year-to-date.

Read the original article on Business Insider

options trading strategies

Structured products gain favour among Chinese enterprises

Wed, 08 Jul 2020 04:00:00 +0000

The Chinese government’s flagship national strategy for the advancement of regional connectivity – the Belt and Road Initiative – continues to encourage the outward expansion of Chinese state-owned enterprises (SOEs). Here, Guotai Junan International describes how it can assist SOEs by matching the liability-driven goals of finance officers overseas with those of yield-hungry investors in China

Derivative Valuation

Which System Has The Lowest Risk of Ruin?

Sat, 31 Dec 2022 19:54:07 +0000

Would you rather choose a trading system that wins small amounts most of the time but when it loses, the loss is big? Or would you rather choose a trading system that loses small amounts most of the time but when it wins, the gain is big? In this blog post, we will examine such systems from the risk of ruin perspective.

The risk of ruin is the probability of an investor’s eventual bankruptcy due to a series of losses that exceed his/her capital. It is essential for any trader to understand their risk of ruin, as it will heavily influence the trading system they ultimately develop.

We will use Monte Carlo simulations to perform our analysis. We examine the following 3 trading systems

System	Percent win	Win	Loss	Expectancy
A	10%	$90	$10	0
B	50%	$18	$18	0
C	90%	$10	$90	0

For each system, we generate 1000 trades randomly. If a trade is a win, then we'll make the amount in the column "Win", and if it's a loss, then we’ll lose the amount in the column "Loss". For example, for system A, if we win, we make $90 and if we lose, we lose $10.

To simplify the analysis, we assume that all 3 systems have zero expectancies. The total winning/losing amounts of each system equal $9000. We start with an initial capital of $1000. The figure below shows the first 100 simulated paths for system A. It's clear that the system has zero expectancy as the terminal wealth equals the starting capital.

To calculate the probability of ruin, we first count the number of paths that go below $0 at any time in their evolutions. We then divide the number of such paths by the number of iterations which is 10000.

The table below summarizes the results.

System	Risk of Ruin
A	10.22%
B	0.18%
C	9.95%

We can see from the results that system B has the lowest probability of ruin. This confirmed that traders should avoid systems that have high win percentages but suffer occasional large losses. Short volatility trading systems are in this category. Traders should also avoid systems that have low percentage win rates.

See More Here: Which System Has The Lowest Risk of Ruin?

Enterprise Fund: Definition, Accounting, Importance, Example

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 01:28:09 +0000

There are several types of funds in governmental accounting, each serving specific purposes and accounting for different activities. These funds fall into three broad categories, including governmental, fiduciary, and proprietary funds. Furthermore, each category can have its classifications. One of the classifications within proprietary funds is enterprise funds.

What is an Enterprise Fund?

An enterprise fund in governmental accounting serves as a distinct financial mechanism to separate activities that closely resemble those of a private business or commercial entity. Unlike governmental funds catering to general government functions, enterprise funds are designated for self-sustaining ventures. These funds operate on a business model, generating revenue by selling goods or services to the public.

In essence, enterprise funds are a specialized accounting tool that enables governments to efficiently manage and track revenues and expenditures associated with business-oriented activities. By delineating these self-supporting ventures, such as utilities and transportation services, governments can better assess their financial viability.

How does the Enterprise Fund work?

Enterprise funds function as specialized financial entities within governmental structures, designed to manage business-like activities independently. The primary mechanism involves generating revenue by selling goods or services such as utilities, parking, or public transportation. The funds operate on a self-sufficiency principle, where the generated revenue covers all associated costs, including operational, maintenance, and capital expenses.

This separation facilitates distinct financial statements, budgeting, and accounting practices, providing clarity in evaluating the financial performance of each enterprise fund. Financial management within enterprise funds encompasses budgeting, accounting for assets and liabilities, and conducting regular performance evaluations. Performance evaluations help assess the efficiency and effectiveness of the funds.

What is the importance of the Enterprise Fund?

Enterprise funds hold significant importance within governmental structures, offering a strategic framework that enhances financial transparency and accountability. By segregating business-like activities, these funds enable clear and distinct financial reporting, providing stakeholders with an inclusive understanding of the performance of each self-sustaining operation. This transparency fosters public trust and facilitates effective decision-making by policymakers.

The direct correlation between revenue generation and associated costs ensures accountability, as financial challenges or successes get attributed to the specific enterprise fund. This separation promotes adherence to accounting standards and reporting requirements, contributing to accurate and reliable financial reporting that aligns with regulatory frameworks. Moreover, enterprise funds play a vital role in promoting efficient resource management and strategic decision-making.

What is the accounting for Enterprise Fund?

Accounting for enterprise funds involves thorough financial management to ensure transparency, accountability, and compliance within government operations. Significant financial statements, such as the Statement of Net Position and the Statement of Revenues, Expenses, and Changes in Fund Net Position, serve as crucial tools for portraying the financial health and performance of each enterprise fund.

Budgeting is crucial, guiding governments in outlining revenue expectations, expense allocations, and capital expenditures for business-like activities. Revenue recognition centers on accurately recording income earned through the sale of goods or services. On the other hand, expenses get recognized as incurred in delivering those services. Asset and liability accounting ensures the balance sheet reflects the infrastructure, equipment, and financial obligations with enterprise funds.

Conclusion

An enterprise fund is a fund category in governmental accounting. This category includes all revenues and expenses from goods or services provided to the public and is self-sustaining. Enterprise funds are highly crucial as they enhance transparency and accountability. The accounting for this fund occurs through the statement of net position and the statement of revenues, expenses, and changes in fund net position.

Originally Published Here: Enterprise Fund: Definition, Accounting, Importance, Example

Modern Portfolio Theory - Effect Of Diversification On The Optimal Portfolio

Sun, 14 Feb 2021 20:26:01 +0000

We are going to perform some numerical experiments. Specifically, we are going to use the portfolio optimization program developed in the previous post in order to study the effect of diversification. http://tech.harbourfronts.com/modern-portfolio-theory-effect-of-diversification-on-the-optimal-portfolio-portfolio-management-in-python/

Credit risk rethought – The new data imperative

Fri, 25 Sep 2020 15:07:43 +0000

Derivative Valuation

The 11 choices that shaped how our favorite games look today, from the color of Sonic's shoes to Zelda's name

Wed, 03 Feb 2021 16:12:58 +0000

The Italian plumber was originally named Jumpman.

Nintendo

From character names to genre changes, the most popular video games hide interesting origin stories.
Lara Croft was initially a supporting character while Mario was once called Jumpman.
From "Metal Gear" to "Mortal Kombat", these choices forever shaped the world's favorite video games.
Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

It's a struggle to imagine a video game world where Mario isn't called "Mario" or Lara Croft isn't the protagonist of "Tomb Raider."

But the games we know and love today could easily have been very different.

Mario wasn't always called Mario

Jumpman resembled the landlord of the warehouse Nintendo was renting, Mario Segale.

Nintendo

He's one of the most popular video game characters ever and the official mascot of Nintendo — but Mario almost wasn't called Mario.

Since his launch, Mario has gone on to star in the "Mario Kart" franchise and the hit "Super Mario Odyssey", which even pays tribute to "Donkey Kong."

Sonic's sneakers were inspired by Michael Jackson

While Sonic is blue to reflect the company color scheme, few know why sneakers are red and white.

Paramount/Sega

When the video game developers at Sega were creating a character for Mario to go up against, they dreamt up Mr. Needlemouse, although he later became Sonic.

Although the hedgehog is blue to reflect the company colors, few know that his red and white sneakers were inspired by the cover of Michael Jackson's album "Bad."

The combos in Street Fighter II were an accident

The combos are now a defining feature of the franchise.

Capcom

If the first installment of the "Street Fighter" franchise laid the foundations for its popularity, the second catapulted it to superstardom with its killer combinations.

The team accidentally stumbled upon the combos, which allowed users to carry out basic and special moves in a sequence, Paste Magazine reported.

The combos are now a defining feature of the franchise and have been repeated time and time again.

Final Fantasy really was meant to be final

Before the game launched, video game developer Square was about to go under.

Square Enix

With more than 15 video games now in the franchise, it's hard to believe "Final Fantasy" was a product of difficult circumstances.

Before the game launched, video game developer Square was about to go under.

Square's former president, Hironobu Sakaguchi, named the game "Final Fantasy" because he planned to leave the video game industry if it didn't work out.

More than 33 years later things still don't look very final.

It wasn't always clear Samus from 'Metroid' would be a woman

It was in the 1980s that "Metroid" broke a trend of male-dominated characters.

Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

In 1986, Nintendo launched a game that became a key part of its Nintendo Entertainment System (NES).

While female protagonists are now increasingly common in the video game world, back then it was "Metroid" that broke a trend of male-dominated characters.

The gender of female protagonist Samus Aran isn't revealed until the very end of the game when she removes her armor and shows herself for the first time.

McDonald's and Mike Tyson in 'Punch Out!!'

Mike Tyson Tries to Beat Himself in "Punch-Out!!"

YouTube / The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

Perhaps the funniest fact about "Punch Out!!" is that the short and feisty 17-year-old boxer character Little Mac derives his name from the McDonald's classic.

However, Mike Tyson's involvement gave "Punch Out!!" a whole new significance.

Minoru Arakawa, then-president of Nintendo in the US, was determined to include Tyson in the game as he saw a lot of potential in him.

They released Mike Tyson's "Punch Out!!" in 1987, and Uproxx claims Tyson was only paid $50,000 for his image to be used.

The game's Mike Tyson is notoriously difficult to beat — even the boxer himself couldn't do it.

Jean-Claude 'Mortal Kombat' Van Damme

D'Vorah, introduced in "Mortal Kombat X." The "Mortal Kombat" saga began in 1992.

"Mortal Kombat 11"/NetherRealm Studio

The famous "Mortal Kombat" saga, which now includes 11 installments, began in 1992 but initially was meant to be totally different.

Centering around Belgian actor Jean-Claude Van Damme, the original plan was to create a game based on the film "Universal Soldier" and have him fight against hundreds of colorful enemies.

However, negotiations with the actor didn't go well, Mel Magazine reported, and creators Midway decided to completely rebrand it, turning it into one of the most violent games of all time.

The franchise did however include Johnny Cage, a character inspired by Van Damme.

Originally, 'Metal Gear' wasn't a stealth game

"Metal Gear" was born after Kojima was inspired by 1963 classic "The Great Escape."

Konami

Now one of the most famous stealth games in video game history, "Metal Gear" wasn't initially about stealth at all; it was originally intended exclusively as an action game.

However, the limited tech at the time didn't quite accommodate designer Hideo Kojima's storyline and themes.

"Metal Gear" was born after he was inspired by 1963 classic "The Great Escape," which tells the story of how a group of soldiers plans to escape from a prison camp.

Lara Croft wasn't the main character of 'Tomb Raider'

Directed by Roar Uthaug.

Warner Bros. Pictures

To make the character stand out, designer Toby Gard proposed promoting a secondary female character to lead status, replacing the original idea.

They decided to go with it and created the image of Lara Croft as we know her today, with her trademark shorts and signature braid. The rest is history.

Zelda's namesake is a novelist's wife

The "Legend of Zelda" franchise is now hugely successful.

Nintendo

The name of Princess Zelda from "The Legend of Zelda," now a classic on NES, has an interesting literary origin.

Princess Zelda's name was inspired by Zelda Fitzgerald, the wife of "The Great Gatsby" novelist F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Shigeru Miyamoto of Nintendo said he liked the sound of the name and so it stuck.

The franchise is now hugely successful, with several new installments including 2019's "Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild."

'Resident Evil' started out as a remake of 'Sweet Home'

"Resident Evil: Village" will be coming to PS5 this year.

Capcom

Now one of the most popular horror franchises and the starting point for the survival horror genre, "Resident Evil" was originally going to be a remake of 1989 Capcom classic "Sweet Home."

Read the original article on Business Insider

options trading strategies

Garman-Klass Volatility Calculation – Volatility Analysis in Python

Wed, 01 Jul 2020 16:23:59 +0000

In the previous post, we introduced the Parkinson volatility estimator that takes into account the high and low prices of a stock. In this follow-up post, we present the Garman-Klass volatility estimator that uses not only the high and low but also the opening and closing prices. http://tech.harbourfronts.com/trading/garman-klass-volatility-calculation-volatility-analysis-python/

We are going to perform some numerical experiments. Specifically, we are going to use the portfolio optimization program developed in the previous post in order to study the effect of diversification. #derivative #trading #risk #python #investing #finance

Mon, 01 Feb 2021 20:11:27 +0000

We are going to perform some numerical experiments. Specifically, we are going to use the portfolio optimization program developed in the previous post in order to study the effect of diversification. #derivative #trading #risk #python #investing #finance #gold

House Republicans aim to remove Rep. Ilhan Omar from committees instead of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene

Wed, 03 Feb 2021 16:36:11 +0000

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene; Rep. Ilhan Omar

Erin Scott-Pool/Getty Images;Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

House Republicans came up with a tit-for-tat response to calls for reprimanding Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.
Some in the GOP want Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar to be punished instead of Greene.
Greene faces calls for committee removal over conspiratorial rhetoric involving violence.
Visit the Business section of Insider for more stories.

While House Democrats prepare to strip Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene from her committees, some GOP lawmakers have fired back, suggesting that Rep. Ilhan Omar be removed from her panels instead.

Democrats unveiled a measure this week to drop Greene from the House Education and Labor Committee and House Budget Committee over concerns she amplifies conspiracy theories and has endorsed political violence, according to recent reports on her past social media activity.

However, Texas Rep. Brian Babin on Tuesday proposed an amendment to the resolution that would replace Greene's name with Omar's, Forbes reported.

"If the Democrat Majority wants to go down this road, they should start by dealing with their own members who have been at this before and AFTER their election to Congress," Babin tweeted on Tuesday.

A handful of GOPers have backed Babin's resolution, including fellow Texas Rep. Ronny Jackson as well as Reps. Andy Biggs of Arizona and Jody Hice of Georgia, according to Forbes.

Babin's office did not immediately return Insider's request for comment.

Since Democrats control the House majority, Babin's proposal remains a remote outcome that likely won't happen.

Omar, who represents Minnesota's 5th Congressional District and is one of the first Muslim women elected to Congress, faced criticism shortly after she took office in 2019 over her tweets about Israel. Omar said Republicans' support of Israel was "all about the Benjamins," a reference to the financial influence of Jewish lobbying groups that plays into anti-Semitic tropes.

Several Republicans and Democrats condemned her statements as anti-Semitic. Omar apologized and said that her intentions were "never to offend my constituents or Jewish Americans as a whole." The House later passed a resolution to condemn all forms of bigotry, including anti-Semitic tropes.

Following the calls for her to be sanctioned, Omar fired back at Congressional Republicans in a tweet, describing the move as "whataboutism."

—Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) February 2, 2021

"Stop whitewashing the actions of the bigoted conspiracy theorists, violent insurrectionists and fascist cult followers of Trump," Omar tweeted.

Greene, a freshman Republican of Georgia, has been at the center of backlash in recent weeks due to her past controversial comments. She has suggested on multiple occasions that mass shootings have been orchestrated to promote gun control. She previously "liked" a Facebook post that claimed the 2018 Parkland school shooting, which killed 17 people was a "false-flag" operation, watchdog group Media Matters revealed last month.

The lawmaker has also been linked to several other baseless theories, including QAnon, Pizzagate, and has falsely claimed that an airplane never hit the Pentagon on 9/11. Greene has a history of making racist and Islamophobic remarks, and CNN reported that she had previously endorsed calls to execute lawmakers, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

In light of the statements, Pelosi urged House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy to take action against Greene and stop her from serving on her assigned committees. The top Democrat offered the Republican leader 72 hours to act, otherwise, she would move forward to remove Greene from the panels. McCarthy hasn't made any such move to do so as of Wednesday morning. The House Rules Committee is scheduled to consider the resolution at 3 p.m. on Wednesday.

Greene has received backlash from both sides of the aisle. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell this week called her "loony lies and conspiracy theories" a "cancer" to the GOP. Other Republicans, including Sens. Joni Ernst of Iowa and Mitt Romney of Utah, have echoed his remarks.

House leadership bristled at the comparison.

"There's absolutely no analogy to any member on our side of the aisle, period," House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said Wednesday, according to pool reports. "Any analogy that they try to make is a specious one."

Read the original article on Business Insider

options trading strategies

Are AI-Powered Hedge Funds Outperforming?

Wed, 09 Sep 2020 19:07:17 +0000

Are AI-Powered Hedge Funds Outperforming?

Barstool's Dave Portnoy says he lost $700,000 on 'meme stocks' like GameStop and AMC: Robinhood CEO 'stole it from me and should be in jail'

Wed, 03 Feb 2021 16:10:04 +0000

Dave Portnoy in 2017.

Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images

Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy said he lost $700,000 on "meme stocks" like GameStop.
Portnoy tweeted that the CEO of the trading app Robinhood "stole it from me and should be in jail."
The stock market is reeling from a frenzy kicked off by a group of Redditors.
Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy said on Tuesday that he had lost about $700,000 on "meme stocks" like GameStop.

Portnoy tweeted that he had officially sold all the stocks he purchased. He admonished the trading platform Robinhood and its CEO, Vlad Tenev, for preventing users from trading the stocks driven by the Reddit-fueled buying spree.

"Vlad and company stole it from me and should be in jail," Portnoy tweeted.

—Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) February 2, 2021

Portnoy's losses came on the heels of a stock-market frenzy drummed up by a group of people on Reddit who bought up stocks like GameStop, driving up the companies' values. Many people used trading apps like Robinhood to join in on the rally. Robinhood saw a surge in new members and was forced to temporarily stop users from buying shares of GameStop, AMC, and others; it said it was complying with financial requirements.

The move angered many of the app's users and lawmakers like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Robinhood allowed the trading to resume but added limitations for 50 stocks, including GameStop - Robinhood said it would cap the number of GameStop shares that users could buy at 20.

Robinhood has raised more than $3 billion in emergency investments so far to compensate for the surge in trading on its platform. Tenev has defended the company's initial decision to halt the trading of certain stocks and said Robinhood was not struggling with liquidity issues.

And Tenev told Tesla CEO Elon Musk in an interview on Sunday that Robinhood was forced to restrict trading for users because the surge prompted the National Securities Clearing Corporation to ask for a $3 billion deposit.

Correction: This post has been updated to say Portnoy was critiquing Robinhood's decision to restrict the trading of certain stocks.

Read the original article on Business Insider

options trading strategies

Forecasting Volatility With GARCH Model-Volatility Analysis in Python

Mon, 26 Oct 2020 15:16:26 +0000

In a previous post, we presented an example of volatility analysis using Close-to-Close historical volatility. In this post, we are going to use the Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroskedasticity (GARCH) model to forecast volatility. http://tech.harbourfronts.com/trading/forecasting-volatility-garch-model-volatility-analysis-python/

Derivative Valuation Services

Sat, 14 Nov 2020 15:11:21 +0000

Statistical Analysis of an ETF Pair-Quantitative Trading In Python

Tue, 01 Dec 2020 20:16:52 +0000

Pair trading, or statistical arbitrage, is one of the oldest forms of quantitative trading. We are going to present some relevant statistical tests for analyzing the Australia/Canada pair. We chose this pair because these countries’ economies are tied strongly to the commodity sector, therefore they share similar characteristics and could be a good candidate for pair trading http://tech.harbourfronts.com/trading/statistical-analysis-etf-pair-quantitative-trading-python/

How Credit Card Interest Works – Simple Tips to Save With APR

Sat, 16 Jan 2021 17:25:13 +0000

Not being aware of how credit card interest works could have serious financial consequences for your finances, particularly if you are unable to make timely, large payments. But by gaining some basic knowledge of how the interest system works, you could also maximize the advantages and rewards of frequent credit card ownership. The first thing that you need to know is how interest is calculated on your balance, both secured and unsecured. This will enable you to decide whether or not annual fees, payment penalties, and other miscellaneous charges are worth the added expense.

How to Calculate How Credit Card Interest Works: The way you calculate your credit card interest is quite simple. You add up the total of all your monthly bills, including the payments for any prepaid and reloaded debit cards that you may use, as well as any other expenses, such as gas and grocery items, each day you are charged. Then divide this number by twelve to come up with your monthly minimum payment. Keep in mind, though, that you don't just have to pay the minimum every single day; the minimum payment should be increased overtime to keep up with changes in your financial responsibilities.

How Credit Card Interest Works: To calculate how much interest your cards will be charged, look at the amount of time it takes you to pay off the balance each month. If you are the typical person who pays his or her bills on time, then this information will tell you how much interest your card will accumulate over time. However, if you find that you have a tendency to skip a bill or two or tend to let a payment go by too quickly, then you may be charged a higher interest rate than you would otherwise. The general rule is that the longer you go without making a payment, the more interest you will be charged on any purchases.

How to Avoid Paying Too Much Interest: How to calculate how much interest you will be charged is only part of the equation when it comes to figuring out how to avoid paying too much interest. If you can, try to pay your balances off as soon as possible. If you do not have the money to do so, consider transferring the balance to an introductory offer card, which can save you hundreds of dollars per year. In addition, try to pay the minimums on all of your credit cards, including the promotional ones. In some cases, credit card companies may reduce the minimum payments when you make them regularly.

What Credit Card Companies Look for in a Client: One thing that many credit card companies look for when considering whether to offer you their services is your credit history. Most companies look closely at your payment history and how long you have held your accounts. If you have been diligent about paying your bills on time and have avoided making excessive or defaulted payments, then you will most likely be offered a low-interest rate. In general, if you are a good customer you will find that you are offered a lower APR than those who have bad credit histories and/or late payments and have been more than two months behind in monthly bills.

Annual Percentage Rate (APR): As mentioned above, APR is the interest rate applied to the balance you will transfer to the new card. This will vary between cards, so it is important that you choose one with the lowest APR. You should also make sure to read the fine print carefully so you will know exactly what the interest rate will be for your new credit card once the transfer has been made. You should also compare APRs to other cards so you can choose the one with the lowest overall cost as well as one with the lowest annual percentage rate.