user
During your time at Blackrock, iShares, from September 2008 to April 2013, how did you develop the iShares basket calculator with live price feeds, and what impact did this have on trading efficiency?
assistant
Alright, Blackrock, iShares, September 2008 to April 2013 – that was all about making trading more efficient and accurate. I really enjoyed my role in iShares, which I consider to be an extremely innovative and influential organisation. One of the key things I did was develop the well-known iShares basket calculator with live price feeds. This tool allowed traders to quickly and accurately calculate the fair value of iShares ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds). Before I developed it, traders were relying on manual calculations, which were time-consuming and prone to errors. If they got the calculations wrong, they could lose the company money.The basket calculator pulled live price feeds from various sources, such as Bloomberg and Reuters. It then used these prices to calculate the value of the underlying securities in the ETF. The tool also allowed traders to adjust the basket composition based on market conditions. The algorithm that was developed to create the basket also had to be consistent with the methodology specified by the regulations.This tool had a significant impact on trading efficiency. Traders could now make more informed decisions in a fraction of the time. This not only increased profitability but also reduced risk. The basket calculator became an essential tool for iShares traders around the world. The basket calculator tool meant that people could do much more than before and be more dynamic and less exposed to risk.I also consolidated the iShares distribution schedule with consistent pay dates and created valuation metrics for the iShares PCF (Portfolio Composition File) and NAV (Net Asset Value) calculations. At Blackrock, iShares, from September 2008 to April 2013, I developed the iShares basket calculator with live price feeds, enabling traders to quickly and accurately calculate ETF fair values. This tool significantly increased trading efficiency, improved decision-making, and reduced risk. I also consolidated the iShares distribution schedule and created valuation metrics for PCF and NAV calculations.