10+ UBS Analyst Interview Questions and Answers

You can map the bulbs to their corresponding switches by toggling two switches and leaving one switch untouched.

• Toggle switch 1 and switch 2, leave switch 3 untouched.

• After a few minutes, toggle switch 2 back to its original position.

• Enter the room and observe the bulbs.

• The bulb that is on corresponds to switch 1, the bulb that is off and still warm corresponds to switch 2, and the bulb that is off and cool corresponds to switch 3.

Failure to avoid fiscal cliff could lead to severe economic repercussions globally and in the US, with India also being affected.

• The US economy could experience a recession, with a potential decrease in GDP and increase in unemployment rates

• Global financial markets could experience volatility and uncertainty

• India could be affected due to its close economic ties with the US, with potential impacts on trade and investment

• The failure to address the fiscal cliff could also lead t...read more

The amount of sand in a hole of dimension x on a beach cannot be determined without additional information.

• The volume of sand in the hole depends on the depth of the hole as well as its length and width.

• To calculate the volume, the formula V = lwh can be used, where l is the length, w is the width, and h is the depth of the hole.

• Without knowing the specific dimensions of the hole, it is impossible to determine the amount of sand it contains.

The expected number of coin tosses to get 3 consecutive heads is 14.

• The probability of getting a head in a single coin toss is 1/2.

• The probability of getting 3 consecutive heads is (1/2)^3 = 1/8.

• The expected number of tosses to get 3 consecutive heads is the reciprocal of the probability, which is 8.

• However, the first two tosses can be tails, so we need to add 2 more tosses, making the total expected number of tosses 14.

Payoff curves of a Call Option and Put Option

• A Call Option gives the holder the right to buy an underlying asset at a specified price (strike price) on or before a specified date (expiration date)

• The payoff of a Call Option is positive when the price of the underlying asset is higher than the strike price

• The payoff of a Call Option is limited to the premium paid for the option

• A Put Option gives the holder the right to sell an underlying asset at a specified price (strike pric...read more

The eurozone crisis refers to the economic and financial difficulties faced by some countries in the European Union.

• The crisis began in 2009 with the Greek debt crisis and spread to other countries in the eurozone.

• It was caused by a combination of factors including high levels of debt, low economic growth, and structural problems within the eurozone.

• The crisis led to bailouts of several countries by the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

• Austerity measu...read more

The Libor Scam was a manipulation of the London Interbank Offered Rate (Libor) by banks to benefit their own trading positions.

• Libor is a benchmark interest rate used globally for financial products

• Banks were found to have manipulated the rate to benefit their own trading positions

• The scandal resulted in billions of dollars in fines for banks involved

• Several high-profile bankers were also convicted for their involvement

• The scandal led to reforms in the way Libor is calculated...read more

Estimating the number of street lamps in Kanpur is challenging without specific data.

• The number of street lamps in Kanpur can vary depending on factors like population density, road network, and urban development.

• One approach to estimate the number of street lamps is to consider the average number of lamps per kilometer of road.

• Another approach is to analyze the city's electricity consumption data to determine the approximate number of street lamps.

• Local government records or...read more

QE stands for Quantitative Easing. It is a monetary policy used by central banks to stimulate the economy.

• QE involves the central bank buying government bonds or other securities from the market to increase the money supply.

• The increased money supply is intended to lower interest rates, encourage borrowing and spending, and boost economic activity.

• QE is typically used when interest rates are already low and traditional monetary policy measures are no longer effective.

• Examples...read more

Derivatives are financial instruments that derive their value from an underlying asset or security.

• Derivatives can be used for hedging or speculation.

• Examples of derivatives include futures, options, and swaps.

• Derivatives can be traded on exchanges or over-the-counter.

• Derivatives can be complex and involve significant risk.

• Derivatives played a role in the 2008 financial crisis.

Prime Services is a suite of financial services offered by investment banks to hedge funds and other institutional clients.

• Prime brokerage

• Securities lending

• Cash management

• Risk management

• Trade execution

• Reporting and analytics

• Examples: Goldman Sachs Prime Services, J.P. Morgan Prime Services