Wednesday, August 19, 2020
Neil Gaiman!
Neil Gaiman! 1. As you apparently know already, Neil Gaiman came to speak at MIT today. Oh man oh man it was just wow. What a great speaker (and writer). But since Paul freaking liveblogged it (mumbles about Paul being an overachiever =P), theres not much else to say. Except that the part that Paul was too shy to blog (come on now. were all adults) was that Neil Gaiman said his eyes were opened to what genre truly means when he accidentally reviewed a book someone sent him. The book was about porn and to illustrate his point (what genremeans), he compared porn to musicals. Both are genres, and both have certain elements that the plot is built around (songs, for example, are the main element of a musical, or in the other case.) that if removed, the reader would feel cheated. See? That wasnt so bad, Paul =P Neil Gaiman also mentioned an Australian graphic novel interpretation of The Great Gatsby in which Gatsby is a seahorse when asked if there are any stories that should not be retold. (He said it was fantastic, and after reading he believes nothing is sacred, and people should rewrite everything, preferably turning the main character into a seahorse). A couple more things he said that I really liked was when he was asked about the common theme of games, dolls and playthings in his novel. Paraphrased, because Im too afraid to try to quote directly from memory because he was so eloquent and witty (I sound like such a fanboyergirl): Its always dangerous, non-productive or you get lied to when you ask a writer about themes. As a writer you desperately try to write things very different from everything else youve written, and then people come along and point out how all of it is the same. Finally (Im really not going to go through the whole thing he was all over the place), the last thing I thought was really really interesting was something he said about magic in America(n literature). In the US, there is very little magic in stories. Even in retold fairy tales, people get amazing feats done by being clever or something, not with any help of something mystical. Obviously this is not a rule there are always exceptions, but in general, I think that he was pretty spot-on about something I had noticed, but never really given serious thought. None of the fantasy writers I read are American. Hmmm So yeah. It was pretty awesome. Definitely one of the top five lectures I went to this year. I really loved that the Q and A was 90% not audience driven. Henry Jenkins interviewed him with questions that had been pre-arranged. Considering the people who came up with them from CMS, presumably are much more knowledgeable about what to ask than the average person would be, it means that the questions asked were much more beneficial to the audience. You maximize your time and dont get as many crazies asking annoying/frustrating questions or just randomly commenting on how fantastic you are, Mr. Gaiman, and your books really speak to me and I just think that theyre so wittily reflective of the world andYeah. I really liked the pre-arranged interview format. 2. I went to the MIT Logarhythms concert last week. MIT has a lot of acapella groups (the Logs are all-male, the Muses are all female, the Chorollaries are co-ed, Toons are an MIT/Wellesely group, and SyncopAsian is). and their concerts are pretty entertaining. I believe they come up with their own arrangements for songs and they usually sing pretty well-known stuff (the Logs sang an *NSync song!). Their performances are over-the-top and hilarious I enjoy them a lot and everyone else does too thats probably why there were people sitting in the aisles of our biggest lecture hall for the concert. It was packed! Also, apparently each spring they make a movie and play it during their concert. This year it was Planet of the Logs. I love hilariously ridiculous spoof movies in which you can see Tim the Beaver (the beast) get speared. I also find it really amusing that the Logs call their freshmen twigs. Ahaha. Get it? (Yeah, this is one of those things that I find really funny and no one else does). 3. I mentioned that I have a list of my top lectures from this year. I suppose this would be a good time to tie up those loose ends. Incidentally, this lecture was also by Henry Jenkins, and I believe its annual, but I could be wrong. he spoke about Dr. Seuss and his role in our society historically as well as today. The lecture was followed by a screening of the movie The 5000 Fingers of Dr. T (apparently Dr. Seuss made a movie. Who knew?) and it was a very refreshing event overall not something you hear about every day. 4. One of our Amnesty lectures was called Resistance and Cooptation in Queer and Trans Political Struggles.What a mouthful of a title, I know. Before the lecture, I wasnt even really sure what it meant. But basically, Dean Spade spoke about issues facing the queer community today and how those issues are propagated by the way our government is set up, however unintentional and indirect it may be. Then he kind of transcended that and talked about activism in general, and it was pretty progressive stuff and I like progressiveness so it was good to hear from someone who is not, well, me. Hmm. I am suddenly very lazy and would rather spend my time hanging out with my friends, since theyre all leaving tomorrow. =( (And by spend time with, I mean laugh at while they frantically pack because Im not leaving until June 7th, because I got extended housing for free in return for volunteering at Commencement. More later! Anyway. More later.
Sunday, May 24, 2020
Is Terrorism An Insurable Risk - 1719 Words
a) is terrorism an insurable risk? Terrorism is considered insurable until the insurmountable loss of the attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Prior to 9/11, terrorism did not consider a risk by insurance companies and was covered in most standard all-risks commercial and homeowners policiesââ¬â¢ that covered property and contents damages. However, the extreme event of September 11 accumulated a loss of approximately $40 billion and the magnitude of this loss was too large for the insurance industry to handle and therefore the government agreed to share the loss. As a result, the US Congress passed the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act in 2002, with both the insurers and the federal government sharing the risk. Risk is defined as a potential for an unwanted outcome resulting from an incident, event, or occurrence, as determined by its likelihood and the associated consequences (Baranoff et al, 2011). In order for risk to be considered insurable, it must meet two conditions provided by the insurance industry. One is that the risk must identify and quantify or estimate the chances of an event occurring with the likelihood of losses incurred. Secondly, the insurance industry must be able to set premiums for each potential customer or class of customers (Groner, (n.d)). If these two conditions are met, then the risk is considered to insurable. To assess if terrorism is insurable within the context of these two conditions we will begin by analyzing the first condition. ItShow MoreRelatedCyber Crime And Cyber Terrorism1801 Words à |à 8 PagesCyber risks can be divided into the following groups (Marsh, 2013): 1. Physical loss of systems ââ¬â Physical information technologies systems, i.e., computers, servers and other electronic equipment are required for the cyber activity. Consequently, it is very important to consider the risks related to the damage or loss of the physical electronic equipment. Risks can be for example, internal water damage in the office building damaging the computers and other equipment or fire in server room as aRead MoreInternational Management 7e (Deresky) - Ch.1 : Discussion and Analytical Questions1585 Words à |à 7 Pagesas energy. 2- Discuss examples of recent macro political risk events and the effect they have or might have on a foreign subsidiary. What are micro political risk events? Give some examples and explain how they affect international business. Answer: An event that affects all foreign firms doing business in a country or region is called a macro political risk event. In many regions, terrorism poses a severe and random political risk to company personnel and assets and can obviously interruptRead MoreAlumina Inc: Company Analysis612 Words à |à 2 PagesProtection Agency. This body sets water quality standards, enforcement procedures, and aids state and local governments in developing their own pollution control regulations (Summary of the, 2012). Enterprise risk management (ERM) is rigorous systems approach that assesses and addresses the risks from all sources that threaten the achievement of an organizations strategic objectives . (Harb, 2008). In this way, everyone from the CEO on down is engaged in a company wide spin and damage controlRead MoreA Report For The Management Team Of An Organization Of My Choice1505 Words à |à 7 Pagesorganisation. To help with my research I will be outlining the security risks, safeguards and contingency plans in case of a breach. The technological application I will be focusing on is Email. Executive Summary To summarise, I have researched the history of Lloyds Bank, the general overview of how the organisations information security is maintained and what methods and procedures they have in place. I have talked about the security risks and how the bank can ensure that their company is fully secure andRead MoreThe International Trade, It Is Necessary1465 Words à |à 6 Pagesfor damages and loss of goods in the preloading period, it wonââ¬â¢t consist of the act of God, incidents of terrorism, natural defect of goods, and act of the shipper. In any international transaction insurance has a significant role, which protects goods against losses. The insurance should cover any loss of goods in international transportation by sea or by air and it should contain insurable interest for the insured. There are number of insurances, Marine insurance is one, which is a crucial partRead MoreMarine Insurance8862 Words à |à 36 PagesINTRODUCTION Insurance is a form of risk management in which the insured transfers the cost of potential loss to another entity in exchange for monetary compensation known as the premium. Insurance allows individuals, businesses and other entities to protect themselves against significant potential losses and financial hardship at a reasonably affordable rate. We say significant because if the potential loss is small, then it doesnt make sense to pay a premium to protect against the loss. AfterRead MoreReal1707 Words à |à 7 Pagestheft DIVERSIFIABLE RISK: Affects individual or small groups (can be reduced or eliminated) ENTERPRISE RISK: All major risks faced by business firms STRATEGIC RISK: Uncertainty regarding firms financial goals OPERATIONAL RISK: Firms operation results FINANCIAL RISK: Uncertainty of loss due to adverse changes ENTERPRISE MANAGEMENT RISK: Single program all major risks faced by business firms (PSSOF) HAZARD: Condition that increases the chance of loss HEDGING: transferring risk to a speculatorRead MoreTypes of Insurance1899 Words à |à 8 Pagesinsurance Any risk that can be quantified can potentially be insured. Specific kinds of risk that may give rise to claims are known as perils. An insurance policy will set out in detail which perils are covered by the policy and which are not. Below are non-exhaustive lists of the many different types of insurance that exist. A single policy may cover risks in one or more of the categories set out below. For example,à vehicle insuranceà would typically cover both the property risk (theft or damageRead MoreCase Studies11079 Words à |à 45 PagesRISK INSURANCE MANAGEMENT CASE ââ¬â 1 a. With regard to the fuel oil prices risk: (1) Discuss how Juanita could use futures contracts to hedge the price risk. Futures contracts are one of the most common derivatives used to hedge the price risk. A futures contract is as an arrangement between two parties to buy or sell an asset at a particular time in the future for a particular price. The main reason that companies or corporations use future contracts is to offset their risk exposuresRead MoreInsurance and Lloyd Essay2263 Words à |à 10 Pagesmarket, we need to understand what it really stands for. Being constant is about tradition, good faith, security and worldwide reputation for honoring its word Originality refers to the Lloydââ¬â¢s creativity in coming up with innovative solutions for risks; its willingness to be different; and the adaptability that has enabled Lloydââ¬â¢s to survive and prosper for over 300 years. These two words summarize all the best qualities that make Lloydââ¬â¢s market really different. This brand idea is by far the
Wednesday, May 13, 2020
Mcv4ua Practice Test Essay - 1107 Words
Calculus and Vectors MCV4U-A Practice Test Time: 2 hours Total Marks: 101 Final Test Score _____ à · 101 Ãâ" 100 = _____% Instructions â⬠¢ There is a label attached to this page. Compare the course code on the label with the course code printed on the Final Test to make sure that they are the same. Inform the Final Test supervisor immediately if they are not the same. â⬠¢ The Final Test pages are numbered 1 to 13. Check to see that all thirteen pages are attached. Inform the Final Test supervisor immediately if there are any pages missing. â⬠¢ You may use a calculator during the Final Test. You may not use any books or notes. â⬠¢ You must write your answers in the space provided. â⬠¢ There are two parts to the test. A breakdown of the marksâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦(7 marks) d) Indicate the intervals where the graph is concave up and concave down. (2 marks) e) Sketch the graph of the function. (3 marks) www.ilc.org Copyright à © 2008 The Ontario Educational Communications Authority. All rights reserved. page 8 Calculus and Vectors MCV4U-A Practice Test 9. An open-topped cylindrical water reservoir has a volume of 320Ãâ¬m3. 2 The material used for the bottom of the reservoir costs $5/m and the 2 material used for the vertical portion costs $8/m . Determine the radius and the height of the cylinder so that the cost is a minimum. 2 2 (Volume = Ãâ¬r h and Surface area = Ãâ¬r + 2Ãâ¬rh) (8 marks) Copyright à © 2008 The Ontario Educational Communications Authority. All rights reserved. www.ilc.org Calculus and Vectors MCV4U-A Practice Test page 9 Part B: Vectors (39 marks) (approximate time: 40 minutes) 10. A chandelier with a weight of 100 N is suspended at a single point by two cables that make angles of 45à ° and 60à ° with the ceiling. Calculate the tension in each cable. (8 marks) ââ â ââ â 11. Find the angle between the vectors u = (ââ¬â5, 1, 3) and v = (ââ¬â2, 1, ââ¬â2). (5 marks) www.ilc.org Copyright à © 2008 The Ontario Educational Communications Authority. All rights reserved. page 10 Calculus and Vectors MCV4U-A Practice Test 12. Determine the scalar, vector, and parametric equations of the plane that passes through the points A(1, ââ¬â1, 2), B(0, ââ¬â1, 1), and C(1, 2, 1). (9 marks) Copyright à © 2008 The Ontario Educational
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
Democracy America Free Essays
In the world today and in America, democracy is the most valued and the vaguest political terms in the current political times and campaigns. The term democracy by definition is a governmental system in which the citizens retain and exercise the political sovereignty. This means that the citizens of a country have a direct say and would contribute in the administration of the country through one of their elected representative. We will write a custom essay sample on Democracy America or any similar topic only for you Order Now The democracy in America is controlled by two major principles that has to be observed, these are; citizens have equal access to power and are guarded the same while the second one is that, the same power guards all members to enjoy the societal freedoms and liberties. Another very clear definition of democracy is that, it is a form of government which is constituted by the people of a country and in which the supreme power of that government is vested on the same people who constitute it. 3 This government by the people lack any form of hereditary or class distinction differentiation on class basis or privileges. True democracy is voted for by the majority and one that serves and works for the interest of the people, although in any country true democracy is not being experienced by the citizens, they have a voice during elections. This allows the citizens to elect whoever will represent their particular interest and standards. 4 In the world there are three major types of democracy that are well known, namely direct democracy, representative democracy and liberal democracy; Direct democracy is a form of democracy in which the citizens have the right and the responsibility to attend meetings the national assembly and participate in the making of policies. In this case all the directly contribute and affect the decision making process. This system has representatives who drew the agendas for such assembly meetings. In this kind of democracy all the citizens have the right to vote and hold offices and it is the duty of all the citizens in a country to actively participate in the decision making process which is determined by the majority. 5 Representative democracy is the kind of democracy that is used in the American Democracy. This form of democracy is characterized by the fact that the citizens elect their representatives who make the decisions on their behalf. Representative democracy is practiced both at the state level, local levels and eve n at the institutions levels. 6 The third form of democracy is liberal democracy which is a form of representative democracy in which the elected representatives that hold offices and have the power of decision making on behalf of the public are moderated by the rule of law (constitution). The rule of law in all circumstances emphasizes the protection of the individual rights and the rights of the minority groups in the society. The most basic rights to be protected by the rule of law are like the rights of assembly and speech, the rights to owe and use private property, the rights and freedom to religion and the right to be equal before the rule of law. This democracy is as well characterized by elections; it is also characterized multi party systems and also an independent judiciary. These forms of democracy are being practiced in different countries and they all have their advantages and disadvantages. 7 A society that experiences any kind of democracy among the ones discussed above must meet some of the minimum characteristics. Those characteristics have to be met for a society to be referred to as democratic. The main characteristic of a democratic society is to educate the whole society to understand what democracy is and to know their obligations, contributions and requirements as citizens in a democratic society. 8 After the education of the public about their democracy they should also experience that they have the power to choose and replace the government through free and fair elections, the citizens should be actively be involved in the politics and the civil life, the democratic government should have the ability to protect the human rights and in that society the rule of law (i. e. the laws and the procedures) to apply equally to al citizens. All these are the minimum qualifications for a democratic society. 9 A democratic society first is characterized by a political System by which there is competition for power. Democratic societies have the mandate of to choose their leaders and to ensure that they are held accountable for their policies and conduct in office. In this due process of election the people decide who will represent them in parliament and who will head the government at the national and local levels. This is done in a fee and fair elections. In this society the government is based on the decision of the citizens because they are sovereign. In this society the elected representatives at the national and the local levels are always consulting their electorate and work according to their needs and representatives. The principle of the public suggestion has to be observed since the public have the right and obligation to monitor their representatives business in the government and are free to criticize them. 10 This requirement for a democratic society demands that free and fair elections be held after a regular interval as prescribed by law, this elections are not to be influenced by the people in power who do not have any right to extend their time in office without asking the consent of the people. In all democratic elections al the candidates also have the right to campaign freely and to present their ideologies to the voters. The whole process must be monitored by independent electoral observers and a committee that is to resolve any electoral disputes. 11 The second requirement to be met by a democratic society is that the citizens have a bigger responsibility to participate in public life. The society have the mandate and the obligations to be informed about public issues, they have the obligation to watch carefully how their political representatives use the powers vested on them and to give their opinions and criticism on the same. This can only be achieved if the civil societies who represent a variety of interest and beliefs educate the public and especially women their democratic rights and responsibilities, improve their political skills, represent their common interests, and involve them in political life. In this system there is no one that should be forced to support any political party and the citizens should always be free to support any political party. 12 The third requirement for a democratic society is that every citizen in the society has some basic right that is guaranteed under the international law and the state cannot take away from them. The citizens have the rights to have their own beliefs and to communicate freely. They too have the freedom of religion; this states that everyone is free to chose their own religion and to practice their religious norms as they deem fit for them. The citizens in such societies have the right to associate with other people and to be incorporate and to be incorporated in the organizations of their own choice. With all these freedoms and others, the state puts it upon the citizens to exercise these rights peacefully, with respect for the law and for the rights of others. 13 The fourth and last basic requirement for democracy in a society is that it be recognized as the rule of law. This rule of law protects the rights citizens, help in the maintenance of orders and helps to limit the power of government. In such a society all the citizens are treated equally under the rule of law and are not being discriminated based on their gender, race, religion or even the ethnic group. In this society the citizens are being protected by law and should never be arrested arbitrarily, they have the right to know their charges and anybody charged with a crime has the right to a fair, open and speedy public trial by an impartial public court. 14 In a democratic society no one is above the law and the law treats people equally. Although these are the requirements of any democratic society, all the societies in the world do not prove to obey them and to defend them. Therefore democracy is only a political term which is not put into practice. Work cited http://www. wisegeek. com/what-is-a-liberal-democracy. htm Retrieved on 19th July 2008 Janda Kenneth and Et al (2004) The Challenge of Democracy: Government in America Houghton Mifflin Blaich Theodore Paul and Baumgartner Joseph Cornelius (1953) the Challenge of Democracy. Published by McGraw-Hill http://www. hewett. norfolk. sch. uk/CURRIC/POLIT/DEMOC. htm Retrieved on The 19th JULY 2008 http://college. hmco. com/polisci/janda/chall_dem/9e/student_home. html Retrieved on The July 19, 2008 How to cite Democracy America, Papers
Tuesday, May 5, 2020
Racial Prejudice And White Privilege Essay Example For Students
Racial Prejudice And White Privilege Essay Racism is still after 200 years one of the most dominant political/social issues of our time. The case of the white mother who had given birth to a half black baby as a result of a sperm bank mix-up really highlights the topics of racism and white privilege in the United States. The white mother has filed a lawsuit for damages for emotional distress against the sperm bank. There are several points to address: the white mother treating her black child different, the social and cultural surroundings that in part that are racist, and the validity of her law suit. White privilege is a result of the cultural/social background of the United States as well as the subtle racism thatââ¬â¢s still exists. This case says a lot about the cultural background in the United States in relation to white privilege. I would argue that this case isnââ¬â¢t a problem of a racist couple, but rather a racial and intolerant society. The motherââ¬â¢s main concerns stem from the society and cultural pressure. Her fears of her parents judging the baby, the ââ¬Å"black hair cutâ⬠Clifton (2014), and the white school are all valid concerns. She has the concerns of what a black mother would normally have. My problem with this statement is it generalizes once again. Racism and stereotypes are intertwined. By generalizing what all black mothers go through, it is using stereotypes to justify arguments. The childââ¬â¢s black hair cut situation really stuck in my head. The expectation of how a black girl should have her hair done is insane to me. According to Clifton (2014) ââ¬Å"As just one example, getting a young daughterââ¬â¢s hair cut is not particularly stressful for most mothers, but to Jennifer it is not a routine matter because Payton has the typical hair of a African American Girl.â⬠. . . weightless knapsack of special provisions, maps, passports, codebooks, visas, clothes, tools and black checks.â⬠White privilege, racism, and cultural stereotypes are complex topics that ultimately are interconnected. As a result of the interconnection and its deep roots in American culture, ultimately it will take a countrywide effort to confront these issues. The racially intolerant societies in America, as well as the double-edged sword of white privilege, and the subtle racism that is all too common all have an impact on American people. The case of the women having a mixed baby is not the problem, the problem is the black hair cut style or the example of black children being sent to the office for less serious offenses then their white counterparts. In conclusion, I believe that white privilege exists because of cultural stereotyping as well as subtle racism.
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
Death Penalty And Justice Essays - Capital Punishment, Penology
Death Penalty And Justice Looking out for the state of the public's satisfaction in the scheme of capital sentencing does not Constitute serving justice. Today's system of capital punishment is fought with inequalities and Injustices. The commonly offered arguments for the death penalty are filled with holes. It was a Deterrent. It removed killers. It was the ultimate punishment. It is biblical. It satisfied the public's need For retribution. It relieved the anguish of the victim's family. (Grisham 120) Realistically, imposing the Death penalty is expensive and time consuming. Retroactively, it has yet to be proven as a deterrent. Morally, it is a continuation of the cycle of violence and ?...degrades all who are involved in its Enforcement, as well as its victim. (Stewart 1) Perhaps the most frequent argument for capital punishment is that of deterrence. The prevailing Thought is that imposition of the death penalty will act to dissuade other criminals from committing Violent acts. Numerous studies have been created attempting to prove this belief; however, to the Evidence taken together makes it hard to be confident that capital punishment deters more than long Prison terms do. (Cavanagh 4) Going ever farther, Bryan Stevenson, the executive director of the Montgomery based Equal Justice Initiative, has stated that people are increasingly realizing that the More we resort to killing as a legitimate response to our frustration and anger with violence, the more Violent our society becomes. We could execute all three thousand people on death row, and most People would not feel any safer tomorrow. (Frame 51) In addition, with the growing humanitarianism Of modern society, the number of inmates actually put to death is substantially lower than 50 years Ago. This decline creates a situation in which the death penalty ceases to be a deterrent when the Populace begins to think that one can get away with a crime and go unpunished. Also, the less that the Death sentence is used; the more it becomes unusual, thus coming in conflict with the eighth Amendment. This is essentially a paradox, in which the less the death penalty is used, the less society Can legally use it. The end result is a punishment that ceases to deter any crime at all. The key part of the death penalty is that it involves death-something, which is rather permanent for Humans, due to the concept of mortality. This creates a major problem when there continue to be Many instances of innocent people being sentenced to death. (Tabak 38) In our legal system, there Exist numerous ways in which justice might be poorly served for a recipient of the death sentence. Foremost is in the handling of his own defense counsel. In the event that a defendant is without Counsel, a lawyer will be provided. Attorney's appointed to represent indigent capital defendants Frequently lack the qualities necessary to provide a competent defense and sometimes have exhibited Such poor character that they have subsequently been disbarred. (Tabak 37). With payment caps or Court determined sums of, for example, $5 an hour; there is not much incentive for a lawyer to spend A great deal of time was representing a capital defendant. When you compare this to the prosecution, Aided by the police, other law enforcement agencies, crime labs, state mental hospitals, various Other scientific resources, prosecutors experienced in successfully handling capital cases, Compulsory process, and grand juries (Tabak 37), the defense that the court appointed counsel can Offer is puny. If, in fact, a defendant has a valid case to offer, what chance has he to offer it and have It properly recognized. Furthermore, why should he be punished for a misjustice that was created by? The court itself when it appointed the incapable lawyer. Even if a defendant has proper legal counsel, There is still the matter of impartiality of judges. The Supreme Court has steadily reduced the Availability of habeas corpus review of capital convictions, placing its confidence in the notion that State judges, who take the same oath of office as federal judges to uphold the Constitution, can be Trusted to enforce it. (Bright 768) This makes for the biased trying of a defendant's appeals, given The overwhelming pressure on elected state judges to heed, and perhaps even lead to, the popular cries For the death of criminal defendants. (Bright 769) Thirty two of the states that impose the death Penalty also employ the popular election of judges, and several of these even have judges run with Party affiliations. This creates a deeply political justice system-the words alone are a paradox. Can
Saturday, March 7, 2020
Exercises
Exercises er Canstar Cannex, Joshua Zenas, says a car purchase isn't regarded as good debt because the borrowing isn't for something that will appreciate in value (Parker, 2010). It may thus be wise to avoid or minimize borrowing money to purchase a car. Obringer suggests the following sources of finance: dealership, bank or credit union, online financial institution, home equity loan, family member or friend (Obringer, 2013). Exercise 4: Explain how the European Commission, European governments and the ECB have responded to the sovereign debt crisis affecting Euro-based economies? The European Commission has created guides with regards to aiding European countries who urgently need help. The Commissions focus is on responding to peoples needs, targeting those in real need and improving peoples integration into society (A stronger safety net for those in need, 2013). On the other hand, European governments, led by the European Union, have reportedly been concentrating on the bailing out of the countries with struggling economies such as Greece, Ireland and Portugal. These countries were granted billions of Euros of loans to help bring back their economies to stability. The European Central Bank, led by its president Mario Draghi, has declared to grant loans with the lowest interest rates to European nations (Kenny, 2013). Exercise 5: The Closed Fund is a closed-end investment fund company with an investment portfolio company currently worth $200m. It has liabilities of $30 million and 5 million shares outstanding. What is the NAV of the fund? If the fund sells at $36 per share, what is the premium/ discount as a percentage of the NAV? Net Asset Value is equal to the sum of market value of all the securities and cash and equivalent holdings, less the fund liabilities, divided by the total outstanding fund shares. Using the formula, the NAV for the fund would be $34, given that the company is worth $200 million with liabilities of $30 million and 5 million in shares. If the fund sells at $36 per share, then the premium/discount as a percentage of the NAV is 5.56%. Exercise 6: Consider a mutual fund with $200 million in assets and 10 million shares outstanding at the start of the year. The fund invests in a portfolio of stocks which provides a dividend income at the end of the year of $2 million. The stocks included in the portfolio increase in price by 18% during the year, but no securities are sold and there is no capital distribution. The fund charges management fees of 1% based on the year end portfolio asset value. What is the NAV at the start and the end of the year? What is the rate of return for the investor? The Net Asset Value at the beginning of the year is equal to $200 million in assets, less than liabilities, divided by 10 million shares. Since there was no value for the liabilities mentioned, the NAV then is $20 at the beginning of the year. Given that the fund charges management fees of 1% based on the year end portfolio asset value, the NAV at the end of the year is $19.80 since 1% of $20 is $0.20. The fund then invests $2 million in a portfolio of stocks, in which the value increases by 18% at the end of the year. Using the formula for Rate of Return on Investments, the rate would still be 18%. Exercise 7: You purchased 1,000 shares in New Fund at a price of $20 per share at the start of the year. You paid an entry fee of 4%. The securities in which the fund invests have increased in value by 12% during the year. The fund has incurred expenses (including management fees) of 1.2% of its assets (on an average basis) during the year. What is your rate of return and actual gain if you sell your shares at the end of the year? The buyer has initially purchased a total of $20,000 in shares. Paying the 4% entry fee would cost him another $800. During the year, the fund has incurred expenses of 1.2% of its assets, which amounts to $240. At the end of the year, the securities that the fund invested in would increase by 12%, which would be equal to $22,400. The rate of return on investment would be 6.46% and the actual gain would be $1,360.
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