Interview - Excel Graph

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funnymoney

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Hi all,

Well, currently in the second rounds of an equity research assoc role. For my second round, they have tasked me with several assignments that include comparable analysis, macro research, and constructing a multi-variable excel graph. I'm having a lot of trouble figuring out the data series to model for the excel graph and don't think it's something I'll figure out on my own due to my lack of direct experience with it. The graph asks for a lagged data series so wondering if any regression is involved.

Anyone familiar with constructing multi-variable graphs in excel?
 
Okay - looked at this a little more today. I think my issue is one of modeling and implementing a lag to a data series. Anyone have any experience in building in a time lag to a data series? Am I just dense because I'm working on something on a Sunday night?
 
Time series is the type of statistics they teach you in a political science major. I'm glad to see it coming in handy.

Can you give more information on the problem?
 
Essentially it is a comp based on quarterly data. They provided me three sets of data - one is existing sales, and the other two data sets are what they call company comps, which are simply percentage values. They asked me to calculate the average comp and run a double y-axis chart of avg comp versus existing sales. I had zero problem with the average comp but they wanted me to implement a six month lag (two quarters) into the existing sales data series.

Based on how their sample graph looks, I'm not sure if they're applying a form of regression or something to the data.
 
It doesn't sound like they're asking anything other than to just lag the sales data by 6 months. In other words, as I interpret it, the sales aren't realized for an average lag of 6 months but the comps are immediately. It sounds to me like you're over analyzing. Then again, it's not my interview and I have the luxury of being wrong.
 
Thanks Danny. I had made the same assumption when I initially looked at it and just pushed sales forward 6 months. However, there seems to be further manipulation of the data (ie: sales are listed in thousands, while the chart data for the sales data series are not, otherwise, sales would just have an upwards trending line, which it does not in their sample graph which I need to duplicate).

Hopefully that made sense. I can also e-mail you what I have if you'd like to help out a bewildered fella like me. Thanks!
 
Hey - Thanks to everyone for the help. I finally figured out what they were looking for, and the solution was so bloody simple that I should just smack myself on the head!

However, I do appreciate the offers of help! Thanks again and here's hoping that what I finish will get me further in the process!
 
It usually is that way. If the person doesn't ask you for something complicated, don't make it into something that it isn't! Otherwise, you can always ask the person for more clarification.

Hope it all went well.
 
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