Hi sir. Thank you for the great lecture. Please may I ask, in the exam, if I straightaway multiply by 1.645 (for 95% confidence) or 2.33 (for 99% confidence) without showing how to get that figures (by deducting that 50%), will I still earn the marks?
Sir, you have calculated the Standard deviation as root 6, for 6 years. How would you annualize the standard deviation if the expected value of a portfolio is given in two weeks time?
Because of symmetry, 50% is above the mean and therefore for a 95% confidence level, 45% must be below the mean.
We then use the tables ‘backwards’ to see how many std devn’s give a probability of 0.45.
If you look along the 1.6 row in the tables, you will find that 1.64 gives a probability of 0.4495 and 1.65 gives a probability of 0.4505. So the figure we want is between the two.
Dear Sir, really sorry to ask once again about 1.645. It鈥檚 clear for me about 95%-50%, but what I lost is why we look at line 1.6 in the st.distribution table ;( Thank you for any comments.
Dear Sir, Calculations are all about deviation, confidence and then look up table, not any concerned from the annual return. So these returns (2,4M or 14,4M) are just for reference and comment, aren’t they? Thank you very much.
Hello Sir, I did try this chapter from the study texts but didn’t understand it at all…they use a sort of formula for VAR which is horrible. Thanks a lot for such understandable lecture.
Thank you for this lecture, it’s the first time I’m doing SD. Please may I ask when calculating the VAR over the project’s life, why is the average 6 x $2.4m = $14.4m? As soon as I see “over the life” I think annuity and discounting. Although I realise there is no discount factor in the question, I’m thinking what if part of a bigger question? Many thanks
I don’t understand why you think discounting – Value at Risk has nothing to do with discounting, and the question will specifically ask for the VaR if it is required.
We multiply by 6 because the question states that the project has a life of 6 years (I assume that you have downloaded the free lecture notes).
Please let me know if we will ever need to calculate the standard deviation or will it always be given. I have seen in some textbook that there is a very long way to calculate it.
As I say in the lecture, I am only using 1.50 and 2.58 to illustrate how to use the tables. I could have used any figures – all I am doing is explaining how to use the tables!
Hi Sir, I have a question relating to the normal distribution. Back in my earlier studies of normal distribution, when there is a 95% confidence level, we used to split the 5% (2.5% on each side). Same with a 97.5% confidence level (1.25% on each side). How come we only take the whole 5% on the negative side?
I just want to say thankyou, After watching the BPP lectures and reading the books I was confused still on Std Deviations. Your lecture has made it so much clearer.
Hi John, the concept has been well explained in the lecture, the assumption is the spread is a normal distribution and hence the graph is symmetrical and hence there is a 50% chance of the return being higher or lower than the average return. Our solution of the distance is based on this assumption.
In the exam, can they ask us to calculate the VAR, where the spread is asymmetrical?
No, that is not possible. VaR always (in real life as well as in exams) assumes a normal distribution (which is symmetrical).
(That is one of the scary things about banks using it in real life (which they do!). Partly it is not necessarily normally distributed, but also even if it is and there is only a 1% chance of there being problems, that is 1 year in 100 and that 1 year could be next year 馃檪 )
fekadeselassie says
For 45% shall we consider SD on the table 1.65= says 0.4505,1.64=says 0.4495 .however as it stated in this lecture 1.645@750000 .
thanks for your support .
fekadeselassie says
it also stated 2.33 for the 99% confidence why did not consider like above 95% confidence between 2.32 and 2.33, @2.323
John Moffat says
It is fine in the exam just to go to 2 decimal places rather than apportion between two.
Ron123 says
Hi sir. Thank you for the great lecture. Please may I ask, in the exam, if I straightaway multiply by 1.645 (for 95% confidence) or 2.33 (for 99% confidence) without showing how to get that figures (by deducting that 50%), will I still earn the marks?
Thank you.
John Moffat says
Yes you will get the marks 馃檪
shaze2000 says
Thanks for the lectures. You made the concepts very clear
Now I’m 80% confident that I’ll clear the paper.
mjmaeder says
When you say “It won’t fall more than $1.23M” does that also mean, “Confident it won’s fall BELOW $1.17M (2.4M – 1.23M)”?
John Moffat says
Yes – they both mean the same 馃檪
vinay1203 says
Hello John,
If question ask for the confidence level of 88% which is (0.380) so do we use 1.175 SD using the table of normal distribution. please confirm
John Moffat says
Yes – that is correct 馃檪
vinay1203 says
Thanks for the prompt help
John Moffat says
You are welcome 馃檪
farhanhamza says
Sir, you have calculated the Standard deviation as root 6, for 6 years. How would you annualize the standard deviation if the expected value of a portfolio is given in two weeks time?
farhanhamza says
Will root of 2/52 work in such a situation? Assuming 52 weeks in a year.
sharon1507 says
Hello, i can’t understand how you get the figure 1.645 for a confidence level of 95%.
Please help. Thank you.
John Moffat says
Because of symmetry, 50% is above the mean and therefore for a 95% confidence level, 45% must be below the mean.
We then use the tables ‘backwards’ to see how many std devn’s give a probability of 0.45.
If you look along the 1.6 row in the tables, you will find that 1.64 gives a probability of 0.4495 and 1.65 gives a probability of 0.4505. So the figure we want is between the two.
sharon1507 says
thank you loads John
John Moffat says
You are welcome 馃檪
viktoriiatraksler says
Dear Sir, really sorry to ask once again about 1.645. It鈥檚 clear for me about 95%-50%, but what I lost is why we look at line 1.6 in the st.distribution table ;( Thank you for any comments.
John Moffat says
It is because we are working backwards through the tables. and finding the value of z that gives an answer in the tables of 0.45
viktoriiatraksler says
Thank you
John Moffat says
You are welcome 馃檪
gnoii says
Dear Sir,
Calculations are all about deviation, confidence and then look up table, not any concerned from the annual return. So these returns (2,4M or 14,4M) are just for reference and comment, aren’t they?
Thank you very much.
John Moffat says
But you need those figures to then be able to calculate the value at risk for the particular confidence level.
tashu123 says
Hello Sir,
I did try this chapter from the study texts but didn’t understand it at all…they use a sort of formula for VAR which is horrible.
Thanks a lot for such understandable lecture.
May god bless you sir.
John Moffat says
Thank you for your comment 馃檪
chantsv says
Thank you for this lecture, it’s the first time I’m doing SD. Please may I ask when calculating the VAR over the project’s life, why is the average 6 x $2.4m = $14.4m? As soon as I see “over the life” I think annuity and discounting. Although I realise there is no discount factor in the question, I’m thinking what if part of a bigger question? Many thanks
John Moffat says
I don’t understand why you think discounting – Value at Risk has nothing to do with discounting, and the question will specifically ask for the VaR if it is required.
We multiply by 6 because the question states that the project has a life of 6 years (I assume that you have downloaded the free lecture notes).
chantsv says
Many thanks.
chantsv says
Please let me know if we will ever need to calculate the standard deviation or will it always be given. I have seen in some textbook that there is a very long way to calculate it.
zhixiang85 says
Dear John,
Example 3, I know how to read the distribution table, but how did you get the 1.50 and 2.58? Thank you
John Moffat says
As I say in the lecture, I am only using 1.50 and 2.58 to illustrate how to use the tables. I could have used any figures – all I am doing is explaining how to use the tables!
claudia1 says
Ok Sir, you are perfectly correct of course. I forgot the part where 50 is deducted from 99. Thank you so much for the lecture. Understood.
claudia1 says
Hello Sir, half of 99 is 49.5, so should we be looking at .495 in the table?…just making sure.
bucheeri88 says
Hi Sir, I have a question relating to the normal distribution. Back in my earlier studies of normal distribution, when there is a 95% confidence level, we used to split the 5% (2.5% on each side). Same with a 97.5% confidence level (1.25% on each side). How come we only take the whole 5% on the negative side?
John Moffat says
Because we are only concerned about the amount being lower, not higher.
(You are referring to what is called a two-tail test, where the variable may be higher or lower. This is a one-tailed test.)
adlin says
Understood thank you
John Moffat says
You are welcome 馃檪
adlin says
I m confused as to what table he is referring to…?how did he get 1.645 value ?
John Moffat says
The normal distribution tables that are given to you in the exam (and that are printed in our free lecture notes). I do explain this in the lecture!
3403263nya says
Very understandable. Thank you.
said1988 says
Very happy with this lecture! Thanks a lot
John Moffat says
Thank you for your comment 馃檪
SamTallroth says
I just want to say thankyou, After watching the BPP lectures and reading the books I was confused still on Std Deviations. Your lecture has made it so much clearer.
John Moffat says
Thank you for for your comment 馃檪
herafatima says
Hi John, the concept has been well explained in the lecture, the assumption is the spread is a normal distribution and hence the graph is symmetrical and hence there is a 50% chance of the return being higher or lower than the average return. Our solution of the distance is based on this assumption.
In the exam, can they ask us to calculate the VAR, where the spread is asymmetrical?
John Moffat says
No, that is not possible. VaR always (in real life as well as in exams) assumes a normal distribution (which is symmetrical).
(That is one of the scary things about banks using it in real life (which they do!). Partly it is not necessarily normally distributed, but also even if it is and there is only a 1% chance of there being problems, that is 1 year in 100 and that 1 year could be next year 馃檪 )
herafatima says
Thanks, it is huge relief to know that. 馃檪
John Moffat says
You are welcome 馃檪