you clearly underestimate the power of excel!
from the simple compound interest you can get to treat and quantitatively evaluate macroeconomic data in order to generate real bias (long / short) through a precise and overlapping analysis.
and precisely the analysts are hired to do exactly this, and simply using the same tool that we have at our disposal, that is excel!
Take a look at my thread and see that you will change your mind about the potential use that could be made of it 
Thread: I've made all G10 forex spreadsheets using Anton Kreil's PFTM Method
Good luck 