This working paper discusses in its first section differences between active and passive investment strategies. It also deals with convenience of active funds by overcoming returns of indices size of fees and share of assets in active and passive investment forms. It also discusses index investing and exchange traded funds. The second chapter deals with short selling, its history, regulation, fees and criteria for short selling. Last chapter analyzed financial indicators of stock titles from DSW Watchlist. The results of the analysis have been also tested. Results are shown in the third chapter itself and relevant annexes.

Intro: 80 percent of the Swedish population own shares. This makes Sweden the leading country in private investment in securities. It can be difficult for the private investor to know where, when and which security to invest in. The strategies are as ambivalent as the stock markets fluctuations. If the investor prefers to refrain from investing money himself, there are brokers who carry out these types of services. Brokers use complex calculations and analytical tools to reach the best investment strategies. Their results are based on historic data from public information. According to the theory of the efficient market hypothesis, it is not possible to generate excessive returns on investments which are based on publicly available information. Purpose: The study aims to assess if stock recommendations published in a business newspaper have any value for investors, who hopes to generate high returns. Methodology: Since the data is quantitative, a deductive method is used to comprehend the results. Investments are divided into two fictive portfolios where one portfolio follows a passive investment strategy whilst in the other, active investments based on public information are made. A one-sample t-test is used to obtain the statistics for answering the hypothetical questions. Theoretical: The primary theory for the essay is the theory of efficient market hypothesis, perspectives but also passive investment strategies and the random walk hypothesis are being touched upon. Empirical: A study has been conducted of recommendations with the recomendations foundations found on DI.se between 01.01.2005 and 31.12.2006, as the study objects. Theprimary sources have been DI.se and the NASDAQ OMX. The results from the data are solely products of my own empirical findings. Conclusion: The results signify a large difference between a passive and an active investment strategy, although the statistical results indicates no significancy.

Investors have been debating whether active or passive management is the better strategy for a very long time where the majority conclude passive investment the most beneficial strategy in terms of after cost. Due to limited research in emerging markets, this study examines whether active or passive management is the most remunerative strategy in mainland China and Hong Kong, considering the difference in attributes between the regions. Historical data for the Hang Seng Index (HSI) and the Shanghai Stock Exchange Composite Index (SSE Composite Index) was used for representing passive funds. To illustrate active management, historical data for 10 active funds for each region were collected. By using two methods including a simple observation of historical returns and a regression analysis, the results of this study conclude that no distinct difference can be confirmed between the two regions when regarding whether the active or passive investment strategy is more beneficial. And in obedience with the majority of previous literature, passive investments outperform active management in both mainland China and Hong Kong.

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Modern financial asset pricing theory is a broad, and at times, complex field. The literature review in this study covers many of the asset pricing techniques including factor models, random walk models, correlation models, Bayesian methods, autoregressive models, moment-matching models, stochastic jumps and mean reversion models. An important topic in finance is portfolio opti-misation with respect to risk and reward such as the mean variance optimisation introduced by Markowitz (1952). This study covers optimisation techniques such as single period mean variance optimisation, optimisation with risk aversion, multi-period stochastic programs, two-fund separa- tion theory, downside optimisation techniques and multi-period optimisation such as the Bellman dynamic programming model. The question asked in this study is, in the context of investing for South African individuals in a multi-asset portfolio, whether an active investment strategy is signi cantly di erent from a passive investment strategy. The passive strategy is built using stochastic programming with moment matching methods for non-Gaussian asset class distributions. The strategy is optimised in a framework using a downside risk metric, the conditional variance at risk. The active strategy is built with forward forecasts for asset classes using the time-varying transitional-probability Markov regime switching model. The active portfolio is finalised by a dynamic optimisation using a two-stage stochastic programme with recourse, which is solved as a large linear program. A hypothesis test is used to establish whether the results of two strategies are statistically different. The performance of the strategies are also reviewed relative to multi-asset peer rankings. Lastly, we consider whether the findings reveal information on the degree of effi ciency in the market place for multi-asset investments for the South African investor. / Operations Management / M. Sc. (Operations Research)

In support of a short dissertation entitled - "A critical review of the source and residence principles of taxation of income : A place for both principles in the South African tax system?" Qbjeetives To review and critically examine the application of the source and reside.nce principles regarding the taxption of income in South Africa, and to reveal the extent of the existence and application of a hybrid tax system in respect of the source and residence principles. To examine the legal principles and policy considerations arising from the existence of a hybrid tax system, inter alia, in the context of the Fifth Interim Report of the Katz Commission and consequent legislative developments. with a view to recommending. where appropriate, tax reform. Methodology iDd AQProach A review of relevant authority,liter@ture, principles and legislation. Conclusion To draw conclusions and recommendations regarding the merits of adopting a hybrid system in South Africa and, where appropriate, recommend legislative reforms particularly with regard to business income. / Mercantile Law / LL.M. (Mercantile Law)

In support of a short dissertation entitled - "A critical review of the source and residence principles of taxation of income : A place for both principles in the South African tax system?" Qbjeetives To review and critically examine the application of the source and reside.nce principles regarding the taxption of income in South Africa, and to reveal the extent of the existence and application of a hybrid tax system in respect of the source and residence principles. To examine the legal principles and policy considerations arising from the existence of a hybrid tax system, inter alia, in the context of the Fifth Interim Report of the Katz Commission and consequent legislative developments. with a view to recommending. where appropriate, tax reform. Methodology iDd AQProach A review of relevant authority,liter@ture, principles and legislation. Conclusion To draw conclusions and recommendations regarding the merits of adopting a hybrid system in South Africa and, where appropriate, recommend legislative reforms particularly with regard to business income. / Mercantile Law / LL.M. (Mercantile Law)