Asset analysis according to the required yield method

• US 7,725,374 B2
• Filed: 10/07/2004
• Issued: 05/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Christophe Faugere, Julian Van Erlach
• Original Assignee: Christophe Faugere, Julian Van Erlach
• Inventors: Van Erlach, Julian, Faugere, Christophe
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel; Jagdish N
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHANDLER, SARA M
• Application Number:
  US10/960,604
• Publication Number:
  US 20050080704A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,056 Days
• Field of Search: 705/35
• US Class Current: 705/35
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/04 Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/06 Asset management; Financial planning or analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/10 Tax strategies

Abstract

A method, computer system, and computer program product for performing an asset analysis for at least one asset, using the Required Yield Method (RYM). The method provides first economic data relating to a first economy. The economic data includes a gross domestic product (GDP) per capita growth rate for the first economy. The economic data may further include an expected inflation rate for the first economy over a time interval. At least one asset characteristic (e.g, asset valuation) of each asset of the least one asset is computed. The at least one asset characteristic is a function of a portion of the economic data. The computing is in accordance with the RYM. The computed at least one asset characteristic is transferred to a tangible medium. The at least one asset may include an equity index, a bond, gold, a currency, a derivative, etc.

Claims

1. A method for performing an asset analysis, said method comprising:

a processor of a computer system computing at least one asset characteristic of each asset of at least one asset, each asset characteristic of said at least one asset characteristic of each asset being computed as a function of a gross domestic product (GDP) per capita growth rate (g_y1) for a first economy, said GDP per capita growth rate for the first economy being comprised by economic data, wherein the at least one asset comprises at least one equity index, and wherein the at least one asset characteristic of each equity index of the at least one equity index comprises an expected market price of each equity index in the first economy;

transferring said computed at least one asset characteristic of each asset to a tangible medium selected from the group consisting of an information viewing medium, a printing device, a data storage medium, and combinations thereof; and

executing at least one functional operation that utilizes one or more computed asset characteristics of the computed at least one asset characteristic of one or more assets of the at least one asset, wherein said executing at least one functional operation is selected from the group consisting of performing asset valuation, performing asset management, performing trading, performing portfolio management, performing portfolio analysis, performing portfolio construction, performing asset allocation, performing risk assessment and/or management, making a recommendation for investment and/or trading, managing a client account, performing hedging, running an analytic module comprising assessing a portfolio having the at least one asset therein, running a construction module comprising performing at least one risk and/or economic scenario and generating results therefrom, and combinations thereof.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first economy is selected from the group consisting of an economy of a country, a global economy, and an economic unit that comprises a plurality of countries.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the tangible medium comprises the data storage medium, wherein the data storage medium comprises a database, and wherein said transferring comprises transferring the computed at least one asset characteristic of each asset to the database.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the economic data further comprises an expected inflation rate (π

_t+1,1) for the first economy from time t to time t+1, each asset characteristic of said at least one asset characteristic of each asset being computed as a function of both the GDP per capita growth rate for the first economy and the expected inflation rate for the first economy in the economic data.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the at least one asset characteristic of an asset of the at least one asset comprises a first asset characteristic that is not a function of asset data relating to the asset.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the at least one asset further comprises at least one bond, and wherein the asset of the at least one asset is a bond of the at least one bond.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the first asset characteristic of the asset is an expected Required Yield (RY_t+1) from time t to time t+1, and wherein said computing comprises computing RY_t+1 according to RY_t+1=g_y1+π

_t+1,1.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the first asset characteristic of the asset is an expected nominal yield to maturity (R_bt+1) of the bond at time t+1, wherein said computing comprises computing R_bt+1 according to R_bt+1=(g_y1+π

_t+1,1)/(1−

τ

_bt+1), and wherein τ

_bt+1 is an expected marginal tax rate on interest income or blended tax rate of interest and capital gains from time t to time t+1.

9. The method of claim 4, wherein the at least one asset characteristic of an asset of the at least one asset comprises a first asset characteristic that is a function of asset data relating to the asset, said asset data having been accessed prior to said computing.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the asset is an equity index of the at least one equity index.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the equity index is a Standard and Poors (S&

P) 500 index.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the first asset characteristic of the asset is an expected market price per share (P_t) of the asset in the first economy at time t, wherein the asset data comprises E(e_t+1) and b_t+1, wherein E(e_t+1) is an expected earnings per share of the asset from time t to time t+1, wherein b_t+1 is an expected payout ratio of the asset at time t+1, wherein the economic data further comprises τ

_dt+1, τ

_et+1, and τ

_it+1, wherein τ

_dt+1 is an expected average marginal tax rate for dividend income from time t to time t+1, wherein τ

_ct+1 is an expected top marginal capital gains tax rate from time t to time t+1, wherein τ

_it+1 is an expected average marginal tax rate for interest income from time t to time t+1, and wherein said computing comprises computing P_t according to

$P_t=E<br><br>\left(e_{t+1}\right)\times <br><br>\frac{1-{\mathrm{\tau <br><br>}}_{\mathrm{dt}+1}<br><br>b_{t+1}-{\mathrm{\tau <br><br>}}_{\mathrm{ct}+1}<br><br>\left(1-b_{t+1}\right)}{\mathrm{Max}<br><br>\left(g_y+{\mathrm{\pi <br><br>}}_{t+1};<br><br>\left(1-{\mathrm{\tau <br><br>}}_{\mathrm{it}+1}\right)<br><br>R_{\mathrm{bt}+1}\right)}.$

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the at least one asset further comprises at least one real estate asset, and wherein an asset of the at least one asset is a real estate asset of the at least one real estate asset.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the real estate asset is a Real Estate Investment Trust (RIEIT).

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the first asset characteristic of the asset is an expected market price per share (P_t) of the asset in the first economy at time t, wherein the asset data comprises E(e_t+1) and b_t+1, wherein E(e_t+1) is an expected earnings per share of the asset from time t to time t+1, wherein b_t+1 is an expected payout ratio of the asset at time t+1, wherein the economic data further comprises τ

_pt+1, τ

_ct+1, and τ

_it+1, wherein τ

_pt+1 is an expected average marginal tax rate for property income from time t to time t+1, wherein τ

_ct+1 is an expected top marginal capital gains tax rate from time t to time t+1, wherein τ

_it+1 is an expected average marginal tax rate for interest income from time t to time t+1, and wherein said computing comprises computing P_t according to

$P_t=E<br><br>\left(e_{t+1}\right)\times <br><br>\frac{1-{\mathrm{\tau <br><br>}}_{p<br><br><br><br>t+1}<br><br>b_{t+1}-{\mathrm{\tau <br><br>}}_{\mathrm{ct}+1}<br><br>\left(1-b_{t+1}\right)}{\mathrm{Max}<br><br>\left(g_y+{\mathrm{\pi <br><br>}}_{t+1};<br><br>\left(1-{\mathrm{\tau <br><br>}}_{\mathrm{it}+1}\right)<br><br>R_{\mathrm{bt}+1}\right)}.$

16. The method of claim 9, wherein the at least one asset further comprises at least one precious metal, and wherein an asset of the at least one asset is a precious metal of the at least one precious metal.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein a foreign economy is a global economy of the whole world exclusive of the first economy, wherein the first asset characteristic of the asset is an expected real market price per share ({tilde over (P)}_t) of the asset in the first economy at time t, wherein the asset data comprises {tilde over (s)}_t and {tilde over (s)}_t+1^e, wherein {tilde over (s)}_t is a real currency exchange rate at time t such that one real unit of currency of the foreign economy equals {tilde over (s)}_t real units of currency of the first economy, wherein {tilde over (s)}_t+1^e is an expected real currency exchange rate at time t+1 such that one real unit of currency of the foreign economy equals {tilde over (s)}_t real units of currency of the first economy, wherein RY_t+1 is defined such that RY_t+1=g_y1+π

_t+1,1, wherein the economic data further comprises θ

_t, wherein θ

_t is a relative nominal GDP weight of the first economy in the global economy, wherein C is a constant representing a real value of a perpetuity paying one ounce of gold every year forever under stable inflation and real long-term productivity, and wherein said computing comprises computing {tilde over (P)}_t according to {tilde over (P)}_t=C F or {tilde over (P)}_t={tilde over (P)}={tilde over (P)}<sub>t−

1</sub>F_t/F<sub>t−

1</sub>, and wherein

$F_t=\frac{{\mathrm{RY}}_{t+1}}{\left(1+{\mathrm{\pi <br><br>}}_{t+1}\right)}\times <br><br>\frac{{\mathrm{\theta <br><br>}}_t+\left(1-{\mathrm{\theta <br><br>}}_t\right)\times <br><br>\frac{{\tilde{s}}_t}{{\tilde{s}}_{t+1}^e}}{{\mathrm{\theta <br><br>}}_t+\left(1-{\mathrm{\theta <br><br>}}_t\right)\times <br><br>\frac{1}{{\tilde{s}}_t}}.$

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the precious metal is gold.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein C is $8929.

20. The method of claim 9, wherein the at least one asset further comprises a currency of the first economy, and wherein an asset of the at least one asset is the currency of the first economy.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the first asset characteristic of the asset is s_t+1^e, wherein s_t+1^e is an expected spot exchange rate at time t+1 such that one spot unit of a currency of a second economy equals s_t+1^e spot units of the currency of the first economy, wherein the asset data comprises s_t, wherein s_t is a spot exchange rate at time t such that one spot unit of the currency of the second economy equals s_t spot units of the currency of the first economy, wherein g_y2 is defined as a GDP per capita growth rate for the second economy, wherein π

_t+1,2 is defined as an expected inflation rate from time t to time t+1 for the second economy, wherein RY_t+1 is defined such that RY_t+1=g_y1+π

_t+1,1, wherein RY_Xt+1 is defined such that RY_Xt+1=g_y2+π

_t+1,2, and wherein said computing comprises computing s_t+1^e according to

$\frac{s_{t+1}^e}{s_t}=\frac{{\mathrm{RY}}_{t+1}}{{\mathrm{RY}}_{\mathrm{Xt}+1}}.$

22. The method of claim 9, wherein the at least one asset characteristic of the asset comprises a second asset characteristic that is a measure of the volatility of the first asset characteristic of the asset.

23. The method of claim 4, said method further comprising generating at least one report relating to a result of said performing at least one function.

24. The method of claim 4, wherein the method further comprises:

predicting a change in the at least one asset characteristic from the computed at least one asset characteristic;

evaluating at least one effect resulting from the change;

determining that said evaluating indicates an unacceptable risk to the portfolio; and

hedging the portfolio to mitigate the unacceptable risk.

25. The method of claim 4, wherein the method further comprises:

performing a technical and/or sentiment analysis for an asset of the at least one asset, including determining that a bullish market move is predicted for the asset or that a bearish market move is predicted for the asset; and

ascertaining that the asset is overvalued or that the asset is undervalued.

26. The method of claim 25, said method further comprising:

suggesting buying more of the asset for the portfolio if said determining has determined that the bullish market move is predicted for the asset and if said ascertaining has ascertained that the asset is undervalued; and

suggesting selling the asset from the portfolio if said determining has determined that the bearish market move is predicted for the asset and if said ascertaining has ascertained that the asset is overvalued.

27. The method of claim 1, wherein said utilizing comprises:

running the analytic module and/or construction module, said running the analytic module comprising assessing the portfolio with respect to valuation impact under various actual, historic, expected, real-time, or hypothetical scenarios that may affect a Required Yield of the one or more assets, said results generated from running the construction module including a series of asset class mixes consistent with return goals, economic expectations, and risk assumptions for the portfolio, said economic expectations including an expectation of a target return for the portfolio;

running a recommendation module comprising utilizing the results from running the analytic module and/or construction module to suggest at least one asset change in the portfolio consistent with the asset class mixes; and

responsive to the suggested at least one asset change in conjunction with investor industry, return, and/or hedge preferences;

rebalancing the at least one asset in the portfolio.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the at least one asset change comprises asset sales and/or asset purchases in proportions consistent with the results from running the analytic module and/or construction module and in accordance with provided objectives or scenarios for the portfolio.

29. The method of claim 1, wherein the expected market price of each equity index is computed as a function of an expected payout ratio of each equity index, and wherein the payout ratio of each equity index is a percentage of net earnings paid to equity owners as a dividend.

30. The method of claim 1, wherein the expected market price of each equity index is computed as a function of an expected average marginal tax rate for dividend income, an expected top marginal capital gains tax rate, and an expected average marginal tax rate for interest income.

31. A computer program product, comprising a computer readable storage medium storing computer executable program code which, when executed by a processor of a computer system, causes the processor to implement a method for performing an asset analysis, said method comprising:

computing at least one asset characteristic of each asset of at least one asset, each asset characteristic of said at least one asset characteristic of each asset being computed as a function of a gross domestic product (GDP) per capita growth rate (g_y1) for a first economy, said GDP per capita growth rate for the first economy being comprised by economic data, wherein the at least one asset comprises at least one equity index, and wherein the at least one asset characteristic of each equity index of the at least one equity index comprises an expected market price of each equity index in the first economy;

transferring said computed at least one asset characteristic of each asset to a tangible medium selected from the group consisting of an information viewing medium, a printing device, a data storage medium, and combinations thereof, and

executing at least one functional operation that utilizes one or more computed asset characteristics of the computed at least one asset characteristic of one or more assets of the at least one asset, wherein said executing at least one functional operation is selected from the group consisting of performing asset valuation, performing asset management, performing trading, performing portfolio management, performing portfolio analysis, performing portfolio construction, performing asset allocation, performing risk assessment and/or management, making a recommendation for investment and/or trading, managing a client account, performing hedging, running an analytic module comprising assessing a portfolio having the at least one asset therein, running a construction module comprising performing at least one risk and/or economic scenario and generating results therefrom, and combinations thereof.

32. The computer program product of claim 31, wherein the first economy is selected from the group consisting of an economy of a country, a global economy, and an economic unit that comprises a plurality of countries.

33. The computer program product of claim 31, wherein the tangible medium comprises the data storage medium, wherein the data storage medium comprises a database, and wherein said transferring comprises transferring the computed at least one asset characteristic of each asset to the database.

34. The computer program product of claim 31, wherein the economic data further comprises an expected inflation rate (π

_t+1,1) for the first economy from time t to time t+1, each asset characteristic of said at least one asset characteristic of each asset being computed as a function of both the GDP per capita growth rate for the first economy and the expected inflation rate for the first economy in the economic data.

35. The computer program product of claim 34, wherein the at least one asset characteristic of an asset of the at least one asset comprises a first asset characteristic that is not a function of asset data relating to the asset.

36. The computer program product of claim 35, wherein the at least one asset further comprises at least one bond, and wherein the asset of the at least one asset is a bond of the at least one bond.

37. The computer program product of claim 36, wherein the first asset characteristic of the asset is an expected Required Yield (RY_t+1) from time t to time t+1, and wherein said computing comprises computing RY_t+1 according to RY_t+1=g_y1+π

_t+1,1.

38. The computer program product of claim 36, wherein the first asset characteristic of the asset is an expected nominal yield to maturity (R_bt+1) of the bond at time t+1, wherein said computing comprises computing R_bt+1 according to R_bt+1=(g_y1+π

_t+1,1)/(1−

τ

_bt+1), and wherein τ

_bt+1 is an expected marginal tax rate on interest income or blended tax rate of interest and capital gains from time t to time t+1.

39. The computer program product of claim 34, wherein the at least one asset characteristic of an asset of the at least one asset comprises a first asset characteristic that is a function of asset data relating to the asset, said asset data having been accessed prior to said computing.

40. The computer program product of claim 39, wherein the asset is an equity index of the at least one equity index.

41. The computer program product of claim 40, wherein the equity index is a Standard and Poors (S&

P) 500 index.

42. The computer program product of claim 40, wherein the first asset characteristic of the asset is an expected market price per share (P_t) of the asset in the first economy at time t, wherein the asset data comprises E(e_t+1) and b_t+1, wherein E(e_t+1) is an expected earnings per share of the asset from time t to time t+1, wherein b_t+1 is an expected payout ratio of the asset at time t+1, wherein the economic data further comprises τ

_dt+1, τ

_ct+1, and wherein τ

_ct+1 is an expected average marginal tax rate for dividend income from time t to time t+1, wherein τ

_ct+1 is an expected top marginal capital gains tax rate from time t to time t+1, wherein τ

_it+1 is an expected average marginal tax rate for interest income from time t to time t+1, and wherein said computing comprises computing P_t according to

$P_t=E<br><br>\left(e_{t+1}\right)\times <br><br>\frac{1-{\mathrm{\tau <br><br>}}_{\mathrm{dt}+1}<br><br>b_{t+1}-{\mathrm{\tau <br><br>}}_{\mathrm{ct}+1}<br><br>\left(1-b_{t+1}\right)}{\mathrm{Max}<br><br>\left(g_y+{\mathrm{\pi <br><br>}}_{t+1};<br><br>\left(1-{\mathrm{\tau <br><br>}}_{\mathrm{it}+1}\right)<br><br>R_{\mathrm{bt}+1}\right)}.$

43. The computer program product of claim 39, wherein the at least one asset further comprises at least one real estate asset, and wherein an asset of the at least one asset is a real estate asset of the at least one real estate asset.

44. The computer program product of claim 43, wherein the real estate asset is a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT).

45. The computer program product of claim 43, wherein the first asset characteristic of the asset is an expected market price per share (P_t) of the asset in the first economy at time t, wherein the asset data comprises E(e_t+1) and b_t+1, wherein E(e_t+1) is an expected earnings per share of the asset from time t to time t+1, wherein b_t+1 is an expected payout ratio of the asset at time t+1, wherein the economic data further comprises τ

_pt+1, τ

_ct+1, and τ

_it+1, wherein τ

_pt+1 is an expected average marginal tax rate for property income from time t to time t+1, wherein τ

_ct+1 is an expected top marginal capital gains tax rate from time t to time t+1, wherein τ

_it+1 is an expected average marginal tax rate for interest income from time t to time t+1, and wherein said computing comprises computing P_t according to

$P_t=E<br><br>\left(e_{t+1}\right)\times <br><br>\frac{1-{\mathrm{\tau <br><br>}}_{p<br><br><br><br>t+1}<br><br>b_{t+1}-{\mathrm{\tau <br><br>}}_{\mathrm{ct}+1}<br><br>\left(1-b_{t+1}\right)}{\mathrm{Max}<br><br>\left(g_y+{\mathrm{\pi <br><br>}}_{t+1};<br><br>\left(1-{\mathrm{\tau <br><br>}}_{\mathrm{it}+1}\right)<br><br>R_{\mathrm{bt}+1}\right)}.$

46. The computer program product of claim 39, wherein the at least one asset further comprises at least one precious metal, and wherein an asset of the at least one asset is a precious metal of the at least one precious metal.

47. The computer program product of claim 46, wherein a foreign economy is a global economy of the whole world exclusive of the first economy, wherein the first asset characteristic of the asset is an expected real market price per share ({tilde over (P)}_t) of the asset in the first economy at time t, wherein the asset data comprises {tilde over (s)}_t and {tilde over (s)}_t+1^e, wherein {tilde over (s)}_t is a real currency exchange rate at time t such that one real unit of currency of the foreign economy equals {tilde over (s)}_t real units of currency of the first economy, wherein {tilde over (s)}_t+1^e is an expected real currency exchange rate at time t+1 such that one real unit of currency of the foreign economy equals {tilde over (s)}_t real units of currency of the first economy, wherein RY_t+1 is defined such that RY_t+1=g_y1+π

_t+1,1, wherein the economic data further comprises θ

_t, wherein θ

_t is a relative nominal GDP weight of the first economy in the global economy, wherein C is a constant representing a real value of a perpetuity paying one ounce of gold every year forever under stable inflation and real long-term productivity, and wherein said computing comprises computing {tilde over (P)}_t according to {tilde over (P)}_t=C F_t or {tilde over (P)}_t={tilde over (P)}<sub>t−

1</sub> F_t/F<sub>t−

1</sub>, and wherein

$F_t=\frac{{\mathrm{RY}}_{t+1}}{\left(1+{\mathrm{\pi <br><br>}}_{t+1}\right)}\times <br><br>\frac{{\mathrm{\theta <br><br>}}_t+\left(1-{\mathrm{\theta <br><br>}}_t\right)\times <br><br>\frac{{\tilde{s}}_t}{{\tilde{s}}_{t+1}^e}}{{\mathrm{\theta <br><br>}}_t+\left(1-{\mathrm{\theta <br><br>}}_t\right)\times <br><br>\frac{1}{{\tilde{s}}_t}}.$

48. The computer program product of claim 47, wherein the precious metal is gold.

49. The computer program product of claim 48, wherein C is $8929.

50. The computer program product of claim 39, wherein the at least one asset further comprises a currency of the first economy, and wherein an asset of the at least one asset is the currency of the first economy.

51. The computer program product of claim 50, wherein the first asset characteristic of the asset is s_t+1^e, wherein s_t+1^e is an expected spot exchange rate at time t+1 such that one spot unit of a currency of a second economy equals s_t+1^e spot units of the currency of the first economy, wherein the asset data comprises s_t, wherein s_t is a spot exchange rate at time t such that one spot unit of the currency of the second economy equals s_t spot units of the currency of the first economy, wherein g_y2 is defined as a GDP per capita growth rate for the second economy, wherein π

_t+1,2 is defined as an expected inflation rate from time t to time t+1 for the second economy, wherein RY_t+1 is defined such that RY_t+1=g_y1+π

_t+1,1, wherein RY_Xt+1 is defined such that RY_Xt+1=g_y2+π

_t+1,2, and wherein said computing comprises computing s_t+1^e according to

$\frac{s_{t+1}^e}{s_t}=\frac{{\mathrm{RY}}_{t+1}}{{\mathrm{RY}}_{\mathrm{Xt}+1}}.$

52. The computer program product of claim 39, wherein the at least one asset characteristic of the asset comprises a second asset characteristic that is a measure of the volatility of the first asset characteristic of the asset.

53. The computer program product of claim 34, said method further comprising generating at least one report relating to a result of said performing at least one function.

54. The computer program product of claim 34, wherein the method further comprises:

predicting a change in the at least one asset characteristic from the computed at least one asset characteristic;

evaluating at least one effect resulting from the change;

determining that said evaluating indicates an unacceptable risk to the portfolio; and

hedging the portfolio to mitigate the unacceptable risk.

55. The computer program product of claim 34, wherein the method further comprises:

performing a technical and/or sentiment analysis for an asset of the at least one asset, including determining that a bullish market move is predicted for the asset or that a bearish market move is predicted for the asset; and

ascertaining that the asset is overvalued or that the asset is undervalued.

56. The computer program product of claim 55, said method further comprising:

suggesting buying more of the asset for the portfolio if said determining has determined that the bullish market move is predicted for the asset and if said ascertaining has ascertained that the asset is undervalued; and

suggesting selling the asset from the portfolio if said determining has determined that the bearish market move is predicted for the asset and if said ascertaining has ascertained that the asset is overvalued.

57. The computer program product of claim 31, wherein said utilizing comprises:

running the analytic module and/or construction module, said running the analytic module comprising assessing the portfolio with respect to valuation impact under various actual, historic, expected, real-time, or hypothetical scenarios that may affect a Required Yield of the one or more assets, said results generated from running the construction module including a series of asset class mixes consistent with return goals, economic expectations, and risk assumptions for the portfolio, said economic expectations including an expectation of a target return for the portfolio;

running a recommendation module comprising utilizing the results from running the analytic module and/or construction module to suggest at least one asset change in the portfolio consistent with the asset class mixes; and

responsive to the suggested at least one asset change in conjunction with investor industry, return, and/or hedge preferences;

rebalancing the at least one asset in the portfolio.

58. The computer program product of claim 57, wherein the at least one asset change comprises asset sales and/or asset purchases in proportions consistent with the results from running the analytic module and/or construction module and in accordance with provided objectives or scenarios for the portfolio.

59. The computer program product of claim 31, wherein the expected market price of each equity index is computed as a function of an expected payout ratio of each equity index, and wherein the payout ratio of each equity index is a percentage of net earnings paid to equity owners as a dividend.

60. The computer program product of claim 31, wherein the expected market price of each equity index is computed as a function of an expected average marginal tax rate for dividend income, an expected top marginal capital gains tax rate, and an expected average marginal tax rate for interest income.

61. A computer system comprising:

a processor; and

a computer readable memory unit coupled to the processor, said memory unit containing instructions that when executed by the processor implement a method for performing an asset analysis, said method comprising;

computing at least one asset characteristic of each asset of at least one asset, each asset characteristic of said at least one asset characteristic of each asset being computed as a function of a gross domestic product (GDP) per capita growth rate (g_y1) for a first economy, said GDP per capita growth rate for the first economy being comprised by economic data, wherein the at least one asset comprises at least one equity index, and wherein the at least one asset characteristic of each equity index of the at least one equity index comprises an expected market price of each equity index in the first economy;

transferring said computed at least one asset characteristic of each asset to a tangible medium selected from the group consisting of an information viewing medium, a printing device, a data storage medium, and combinations thereof, and

executing at least one functional operation that utilizes one or more computed asset characteristics of the computed at least one asset characteristic of one or more assets of the at least one asset, wherein said executing at least one functional operation is selected from the group consisting of performing asset valuation, performing asset management, performing trading, performing portfolio management, performing portfolio analysis, performing portfolio construction, performing asset allocation, performing risk assessment and/or management, making a recommendation for investment and/or trading, managing a client account, performing hedging, running an analytic module comprising assessing a portfolio having the at least one asset therein, running a construction module comprising performing at least one risk and/or economic scenario and generating results therefrom, and combinations thereof.

62. The computer system of claim 61, wherein the first economy is selected from the group consisting of an economy of a country, a global economy, and an economic unit that comprises a plurality of countries.

63. The computer system of claim 61, wherein the tangible medium comprises the data storage medium, wherein the data storage medium comprises a database, and wherein said transferring comprises transferring the computed at least one asset characteristic of each asset to the database.

64. The computer system of claim 61, wherein the economic data further comprises an expected inflation rate (π

_t+1,1) for the first economy from time t to time t+1, each asset characteristic of said at least one asset characteristic of each asset being computed as a function of both the GDP per capita growth rate for the first economy and the expected inflation rate for the first economy in the economic data.

65. The computer system of claim 64, wherein the at least one asset characteristic of an asset of the at least one asset comprises a first asset characteristic that is not a function of asset data relating to the asset.

66. The computer system of claim 65, wherein the at least one asset further comprises at least one bond, and wherein the asset of the at least one asset is a bond of the at least one bond.

67. The computer system of claim 66, wherein the first asset characteristic of the asset is an expected Required Yield (RY_t+1) from time t to time t+1, and wherein said computing comprises computing RY_t+1 according to RY_t+1=g_y1+π

_t+1,1.

68. The computer system of claim 66, wherein the first asset characteristic of the asset is an expected nominal yield to maturity (R_bt+1) of the bond at time t+1, wherein said computing comprises computing R_bt+1 according to R_bt+1=(g_y1+π

_t+1,1)/(1−

τ

_bt+1), and wherein τ

_bt+1 is an expected marginal tax rate on interest income or blended tax rate of interest and capital gains from time t to time t+1.

69. The computer system of claim 64, wherein the at least one asset characteristic of an asset of the at least one asset comprises a first asset characteristic that is a function of asset data retating to the asset, said asset data having been accessed prior to said computing.

70. The computer system of claim 69, wherein the asset is an equity index of the at least one equity index.

71. The computer system of claim 70, wherein the equity index is a Standard and Poors (S&

P) 500 index.

72. The computer system of claim 70, wherein the first asset characteristic of the asset is an expected market price per share (P_t) of the asset in the first economy at time t, wherein the asset data comprises E(e_t+1) and b_t+1, wherein E(e_t+1) is an expected earnings per share of the asset from time t to time t+1, wherein b_t+1 is an expected payout ratio of the asset at time t+1, wherein the economic data further comprises τ

_dt+1, τ

_ct+1, and τ

_it+1, wherein τ

_dt+1 is an expected average marginal tax rate for dividend income from time t to time t+1, wherein τ

_ct+1 an expected top marginal capital gains tax rate from time t to time t+1, wherein τ

_it+1 is an expected average marginal tax rate for interest income from time t to time t+1, and wherein said computing comprises computing P_t according to

$P_t=E<br><br>\left(e_{t+1}\right)\times <br><br>\frac{1-{\mathrm{\tau <br><br>}}_{\mathrm{dt}+1}<br><br>b_{t+1}-{\mathrm{\tau <br><br>}}_{\mathrm{ct}+1}<br><br>\left(1-b_{t+1}\right)}{\mathrm{Max}<br><br>\left(g_y+{\mathrm{\pi <br><br>}}_{t+1};<br><br>\left(1-{\mathrm{\tau <br><br>}}_{\mathrm{it}+1}\right)<br><br>R_{\mathrm{bt}+1}\right)}.$

73. The computer system of claim 69, wherein the at least one asset further comprises at least one real estate index, and wherein an asset of the at least one asset is a real estate asset of the at least one real estate asset.

74. The computer system of claim 73, wherein the real estate asset is a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT).

75. The computer system of claim 73, wherein the first asset characteristic of the asset is an expected market price per share (P_t) of the asset in the first economy at time t, wherein the asset data comprises E(e_t+1) and b_t+1, wherein E(e_t+1) is an expected earnings per share of the asset from time t to time t+1, wherein b_t+1 is an expected payout ratio of the asset at time t+1, wherein the economic data further comprises τ

_pt+1, τ

_ct+1, and τ

_it+1, wherein τ

_pt+1 is an expected average marginal tax rate for property income from time t to time t+1, wherein τ

_ct+1 is an expected top marginal capital gains tax rate from time t to time t+1, wherein τ

_it+1 is an expected average marginal tax rate for interest income from time t to time t+1, and wherein said computing comprises computing P_t according to

$P_t=E<br><br>\left(e_{t+1}\right)\times <br><br>\frac{1-{\mathrm{\tau <br><br>}}_{p<br><br><br><br>t+1}<br><br>b_{t+1}-{\mathrm{\tau <br><br>}}_{\mathrm{ct}+1}<br><br>\left(1-b_{t+1}\right)}{\mathrm{Max}<br><br>\left(g_y+{\mathrm{\pi <br><br>}}_{t+1};<br><br>\left(1-{\mathrm{\tau <br><br>}}_{\mathrm{it}+1}\right)<br><br>R_{\mathrm{bt}+1}\right)}.$

76. The computer system of claim 69, wherein the at least one asset further comprises at least one precious metal, and wherein an asset of the at least one asset is a precious metal of the at least one precious metal.

77. The computer system of claim 76, wherein a foreign economy is a global economy of the whole world exclusive of the first economy, wherein the first asset characteristic of the asset is an expected real market price per share ({tilde over (P)}_t) of the asset in the first economy at time t, wherein the asset data comprises {tilde over (s)}_t and {tilde over (s)}_t+1^e, wherein {tilde over (s)}_t is a real currency exchange rate at time t such that one real unit of currency of the foreign economy equals {tilde over (s)}_t real units of currency of the first economy, wherein {tilde over (s)}_t+1^e is a real currency exchange rate at time t+1 such that one real unit of currency of the foreign economy equals {tilde over (s)}_t real units of currency of the first economy, wherein RY_t+1 is defined such that RY_t+1=g_y1+π

_t+1,1, wherein the economic data further comprises θ

_t, wherein θ

_t is a relative nominal GDP weight of the first economy in the global economy, wherein C is a constant representing a real value of a perpetuity paying one ounce of gold every year forever under stable inflation and real long-term productivity, and wherein said computing comprises computing {tilde over (P)}_t according to {tilde over (P)}_t=C F_t or {tilde over (P)}_t={tilde over (P)}<sub>t−

1</sub>F_t/F<sub>t−

4</sub>, and wherein

$F_t=\frac{R<br><br><br><br>Y_{t+1}}{\left(1+{\mathrm{\pi <br><br>}}_{t+1}\right)}\times <br><br>\frac{{\mathrm{\theta <br><br>}}_t+\left(1-{\mathrm{\theta <br><br>}}_t\right)\times <br><br>{\tilde{s}}_t/{\tilde{s}}_{t+1}^e}{{\mathrm{\theta <br><br>}}_t+\left(1-{\mathrm{\theta <br><br>}}_t\right)\times <br><br>1/{\tilde{s}}_t}.$

78. The computer system of claim 77, wherein the precious metal is gold.

79. The computer system of claim 78, wherein C is $8929.

80. The computer system of claim 69, wherein the at least one asset further comprises a currency of the first economy, and wherein an asset of the at least one asset is the currency of the first economy.

81. The computer system of claim 80, wherein the first asset characteristic of the asset is s_t+1^e, wherein s_t+1^e is an expected spot exchange rate at time t+1 such that one spot unit of a currency of a second economy equals s_t+1^e spot units of the currency of the first economy, wherein the asset data comprises s_t, wherein s_t is a spot exchange rate at time t such that one spot unit of the currency of the second economy equals s_t spot units of the currency of the first economy, wherein g_y2 is defined as a GDP per capita growth rate for the second economy, wherein π

_t+1,2 is defined as an expected inflation rate from time t to time t+1 for the second economy, wherein RY_t+1 is defined such that RY_t+1=g_y1+π

_t+1,1, wherein RY_Xt+1 is defined such that RY_Xt+1=g_y2+π

_t+1,2, and wherein said computing comprises computing s_t+1^e according to

$\frac{s_{t+1}^e}{s_t}=\frac{R<br><br><br><br>Y_{t+1}}{R<br><br><br><br>Y_{X<br><br><br><br>t+1}}.$

82. The computer system of claim 69, wherein the at least one asset characteristic of the asset comprises a second asset characteristic that is a measure of the volatility of the first asset characteristic of the asset.

83. The computer system of claim 64, said method further comprising generating at least one report relating to a result of said performing at least one function.

84. The computer system of claim 64, wherein the method further comprises:

predicting a change in the at least one asset characteristic from the computed at least one asset characteristic;

evaluating at least one effect resulting from the change;

determining that said evaluating indicates an unacceptable risk to the portfolio; and

hedging the portfolio to mitigate the unacceptable risk.

85. The computer system of claim 64, wherein the method further comprises:

performing a technical and/or sentiment analysis for an asset of the at least one asset, including determining that a bullish market move is predicted for the asset or that a bearish market move is predicted for the asset; and

ascertaining that the asset is overvalued or that the asset is undervalued.

86. The computer system of claim 85, said method further comprising:

suggesting buying more of the asset for the portfolio if said determining has determined that the bullish market move is predicted for the asset and if said ascertaining has ascertained that the asset is undervalued; and

suggesting selling the asset from the portfolio if said determining has determined that the bearish market move is predicted for the asset and if said ascertaining has ascertained that the asset is overvalued.

87. The computer system of claim 61, wherein said utilizing comprises:

running the analytic module and/or construction module, said running the analytic module comprising assessing the portfolio with respect to valuation impact under various actual, historic, expected, real-time, or hypothetical scenarios that may affect a Required Yield of the one or more assets, said results generated from running the construction module including a series of asset class mixes consistent with return goals, economic expectations, and risk assumptions for the portfolio, said economic expectations including an expectation of a target return for the portfolio;

running a recommendation module comprising utilizing the results from running the analytic module and/or construction module to suggest at least one asset change in the portfolio consistent with the asset class mixes; and

responsive to the suggested at least one asset change in conjunction with investor industry, return, and/or hedge preferences;

rebalancing the at least one asset in the portfolio.

88. The computer system of claim 87, wherein the at least one asset change comprises asset sales and/or asset purchases in proportions consistent with the results from running the analytic module and/or construction module and in accordance with provided objectives or scenarios for the portfolio.

89. The computer system of claim 61, wherein the expected market price of each equity index is computed as a function of an expected payout ratio of each equity index, and wherein the payout ratio of each equity index is a percentage of net earnings paid to equity owners as a dividend.

90. The computer system of claim 61, wherein the expected market price of each equity index is computed as a function of an expected average marginal tax rate for dividend income, an expected top marginal capital gains tax rate, and an expected average marginal tax rate for interest income.