Competency

Examine the application of statistical functions and derivatives as instruments for measuring risks.

Instructions

You will assume the role of a senior analyst hired by a fictitious company, Premium Acceptance, a midsized property insurance carrier. Premium Acceptance is performing well with respect to several key performance indicators, including policies in force, policy retention, and new business counts.

One of your objectives as the newly appointed senior risk analyst is to develop a framework for managing loss ratios which is one of the firm’s largest key performance indicators. A loss ratio is simply the difference between the ratio of claims paid by an insurance carrier and the ratio of premiums paid. The board of directors depends on the ability to forecast loss ratios, which in turn enables them to forecast profitability metrics to the shareholders. The organization will now consider implementing the use of statistics for measuring risks.

Your deliverable should be composed in a report. Be sure to address the following items:

• Explain how statistics is used to formally define risk in the risk assessment process.
• Discuss at least two statistical tools that can be employed to measure risk.
• Convey which tool best serves the company’s purposes and explain why it is.
• What are the ramifications of the organization electing not to use statistics in this process?

For help writing a business report, please use the guide found here.

Bond Valuation 

Activity Context

This discussion helps you develop the skills to master the following course competencies: 

o Apply the theories, models, and practices of finance to the financial management of the firm. 

Activity Instruction 

Discuss a type of bond that interests you and how it is differentiated from other bonds. Then explain how interest rates affect their value. Consider the importance of the yield-to-maturity (YTM) in your post. 

Support your post as appropriate with the theories presented in this week’s required reading. (see attachment)

Resources 

o Discussion Participation Scoring Guide.