Discover Blackrock Aladdin: A Deep Dive

Discover Blackrock Aladdin: A Deep Dive

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. Launching Explorer 2.1. Via the genie toolbar 2.2. Through the Aladdin client site
3. Loading a workspace
4. Navigating the Explorer page 4.1. Reports and widgets 4.2. Portfolio settings 4.3. Configuring widgets 4.3.1. Risk and exposure widget options 4.3.2. Bar chart widget options
5. Price Chart functionality
6. Saving and sharing workspaces
7. Fixed income risk summary tab 7.1. Configuring risk summary widget
8. Fixed income comparison tab 8.1. Comparison functionality 8.2. What-if models
9. Saving and loading portfolios
10. Report groups
11. Risk contribution breakdown
12. Conclusion

Introduction

In this article, we will explore the risk and reporting functionalities within the new application Explorer. We will discuss how to launch Explorer and navigate its various features. Additionally, we will cover the different types of reports and widgets available, as well as how to configure them to suit your needs. We will also Delve into advanced features such as price charts, what-if modeling, and risk contribution breakdowns. By the end of this article, you will have a comprehensive understanding of how to use Explorer effectively for risk analysis and reporting.

Launching Explorer

There are two ways to launch Explorer: via the genie toolbar or through the Aladdin client site. When using the genie toolbar, simply click on the Blue Explorer icon located on the right side. Alternatively, You can go to your Aladdin client site and add "/app/Explorer" to the end of the URL. This will take you to the Explorer launching page.

Loading a Workspace

To load a workspace in Explorer, click on the down-facing arrow next to "My Workspace" on the left side of the page. This will display a list of available workspaces. You can load your own workspaces or those created by other members of your team. Simply select the desired workspace to launch it.

Navigating the Explorer Page

Upon launching a workspace, the Explorer page will display various reports and widgets. The layout of the page depends on the Type of portfolio or asset classes in your portfolio. For example, if you have a fixed income portfolio, the page will be tailored to display fixed income-related reports and widgets.

Reports and Widgets

The page features a list of reports at the top, including fixed income portfolio summary, fixed income risk summary, and fixed income comparison. These reports provide valuable insights into your portfolio's performance and risk exposure. Below the reports, you will find a range of widgets such as line charts, bar charts, and risk and exposure widgets. These widgets can be configured to display specific data and analytics.

Portfolio Settings

Within the Explorer page, you can access portfolio settings to customize the way your portfolio is displayed. Options such as split positions, security filters, and risk/performance settings can be adjusted to meet your requirements. These settings allow you to delve deeper into the details of your portfolio and analyze specific aspects.

Configuring Widgets

Each widget within Explorer can be individually configured to display the desired data. By clicking on the gear icon in the top right corner of a widget, you can access the configuration options. For example, the risk and exposure widget allows you to select columns to include in the report, change display settings, and Apply aggregation or date overrides. Customizing your widgets enables you to focus on the specific information you need for analysis.

Price Chart Functionality

One of the key functionalities in Explorer is the ability to view price charts for individual securities. By right-clicking on a security, you can access the option to view an open price chart. This chart provides a time series of price changes for the selected security, allowing you to track performance and analyze buying or selling Patterns.

Saving and Sharing Workspaces

Explorer is web-Based, making it convenient to save and share workspaces. By saving your workspace and naming it, you can generate a unique URL that can be shared with team members. This URL allows others to load the exact workspace you are viewing without the need for manual configuration. Sharing workspaces promotes collaboration and enhances productivity.

Fixed Income Risk Summary Tab

The fixed income risk summary tab in Explorer provides a comprehensive breakdown of risk factors associated with your fixed income portfolio. This tab pulls data from the Portfolio Risk Tool (PRT) and presents it in a user-friendly format. You can configure this widget to display specific risk factors, adjust analytical VAR and waiting schemes, and set the risk and time horizons.

Fixed Income Comparison Tab

The fixed income comparison tab introduces the additional functionality of comparison within Explorer. By utilizing the "What-If Model" button, you can perform through-time and point-in-time analyses. These analyses allow you to make allocation changes at different levels within your portfolio. You can compare the original portfolio with modified scenarios to assess the impact on risk and performance metrics.

Saving and Loading Portfolios

Explorer enables you to save what-if portfolios for future reference. By selecting the "Save as Portfolio" option, you can name and save the modified portfolio. This allows you to load the portfolio at any point in time and Continue analyzing its risk and performance characteristics. Saving portfolios ensures consistency and facilitates historical comparisons.

Report Groups

Creating report groups in Explorer offers a convenient way to manage and view reports across multiple portfolios. If you have created reports for one portfolio and want to see them for another, you can use the "Create a Report Group" functionality. This feature allows you to add different portfolios to the same report group, making it easy to access reports across various portfolios without duplicating efforts.

Risk Contribution Breakdown

Explorer allows you to break down risk contribution columns by risk factor in the risk and exposure widget. By selecting the appropriate options, you can Visualize the risk of individual securities based on risk factors. This breakdown provides valuable insights into the distribution of risk within your portfolio and helps identify potential areas of concern.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Explorer offers robust risk and reporting functionalities to facilitate comprehensive portfolio analysis. From launching the application to configuring widgets and performing what-if analyses, this tool empowers users to gain deeper insights into portfolio risk and performance. With its web-based nature and collaborative features, Explorer enhances productivity and promotes seamless collaboration among team members. Explore the various functionalities of Aladdin Explorer to unlock the full potential of your portfolio analysis.

Highlights:

• Aladdin Explorer provides risk and reporting functionalities for portfolio analysis.
• Launch Explorer through the genie toolbar or the Aladdin client site.
• Load workspaces to access customized settings and reports.
• Navigate the Explorer page to view reports and widgets.
• Customize widgets by configuring display settings and data columns.
• Utilize price chart functionality to track security performance.
• Save and share workspaces using unique URLs.
• Explore the fixed income risk summary tab for comprehensive risk analysis.
• Perform comparison analysis with the fixed income comparison tab.
• Save and load portfolios for historical analysis.
• Create report groups to manage reports across portfolios.
• Analyze risk contribution breakdowns to understand portfolio risk distribution.

FAQs:

Q: How can I launch Aladdin Explorer? A: Aladdin Explorer can be launched through the genie toolbar or by adding "/app/Explorer" to the Aladdin client site URL.

Q: Can I customize the widgets in Aladdin Explorer? A: Yes, you can configure each widget by clicking on the gear icon and selecting the desired options for display and analysis.

Q: Are price charts available in Aladdin Explorer? A: Yes, price charts can be accessed by right-clicking on a security and selecting the open price chart option.

Q: Can I save and share workspaces in Aladdin Explorer? A: Yes, you can save workspaces with unique URLs that can be shared with team members for easy collaboration.

Q: How can I compare different portfolios in Aladdin Explorer? A: The fixed income comparison tab allows you to perform what-if analyses and compare portfolios side by side to assess the impact on risk and performance metrics.

Q: Is it possible to track risk contribution breakdowns in Aladdin Explorer? A: Yes, you can break down risk contributions by risk factor in the risk and exposure widget, providing insights into the distribution of risk within your portfolio.