Weighted portfolio selection models based on possibility theory

In this paper, we discuss portfolio selection problem in a fuzzy uncertain environment. Based on the Fullér’s and Zhang’s notations, we discuss some properties of weighted lower and upper possibilistic means and variances as in probability theory. We further present two weighted possibilistic portfolio selection models with bounded constraint, which can be transformed to linear programming problems under the assumption that the returns of assets are trapezoidal fuzzy numbers. At last, a numerical example is given to illustrate our proposed effective means and approaches.     

A new risk criterion in fuzzy environment and its application

Since the observed values of security returns in real-world problems are sometimes imprecise or vague, an increasing effort in research is devoted to study the properties of risk measures in fuzzy portfolio optimization problems. In this paper, a new risk measure is suggested to gauge the risk resulted from fuzzy uncertainty. For this purpose, the absolute deviation and absolute semi-deviation are first defined for fuzzy variable by nonlinear fuzzy integrals. To compute effectively the absolute semi-deviations of single fuzzy variable as well as its functions, this paper discusses the methods of computing the absolute semi-deviation by classical Lebesgue–Stieltjes (L–S) integral. After that, several useful absolute deviation and absolute semi-deviation formulas are established for common triangular, trapezoidal and normal fuzzy variables. Applying the absolute semi-deviation as a new risk measure in portfolio optimization, three classes of fuzzy portfolio optimization models are developed by combining the absolute semi-deviation with expected value operator and credibility measure. Based on the analytical representation of absolute semi-deviations, the established fuzzy portfolio selection models can be turned into their equivalent piecewise linear or fractional programming problems. Since the absolute semi-deviation is a piecewise fractional function and pseudo-convex on the feasible subregions of deterministic programming models, we take advantage of the structural characteristics to design a domain decomposition method to separate a deterministic programming problem into three convex subproblems, which can be solved by conventional solution methods or general-purpose software. Finally, some numerical experiments are performed to demonstrate the new modeling idea and the effectiveness of the solution method.     

A multi-objective genetic algorithm for cardinality constrained fuzzy portfolio selection

This paper presents a new procedure that extends genetic algorithms from their traditional domain of optimization to fuzzy ranking strategy for selecting efficient portfolios of restricted cardinality. The uncertainty of the returns on a given portfolio is modeled using fuzzy quantities and a downside risk function is used to describe the investor's aversion to risk. The fitness functions are based both on the value and the ambiguity of the trapezoidal fuzzy number which represents the uncertainty on the return. The soft-computing approach allows us to consider uncertainty and vagueness in databases and also to incorporate subjective characteristics into the portfolio selection problem. We use a data set from the Spanish stock market to illustrate the performance of our approach to the portfolio selection problem.     

Mean-variance-skewness model for portfolio selection with fuzzy returns

Numerous empirical studies show that portfolio returns are generally asymmetric, and investors would prefer a portfolio return with larger degree of asymmetry when the mean value and variance are same. In order to measure the asymmetry of fuzzy portfolio return, a concept of skewness is defined as the third central moment in this paper, and its mathematical properties are studied. As an extension of the fuzzy mean-variance model, a mean-variance-skewness model is presented and the corresponding variations are also considered. In order to solve the proposed models, a genetic algorithm integrating fuzzy simulation is designed. Finally, several numerical examples are given to illustrate the modelling idea and the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.     

A hybrid intelligent algorithm for portfolio selection problem with fuzzy returns

Portfolio selection theory with fuzzy returns has been well developed and widely applied. Within the framework of credibility theory, several fuzzy portfolio selection models have been proposed such as mean–variance model, entropy optimization model, chance constrained programming model and so on. In order to solve these nonlinear optimization models, a hybrid intelligent algorithm is designed by integrating simulated annealing algorithm, neural network and fuzzy simulation techniques, where the neural network is used to approximate the expected value and variance for fuzzy returns and the fuzzy simulation is used to generate the training data for neural network. Since these models are used to be solved by genetic algorithm, some comparisons between the hybrid intelligent algorithm and genetic algorithm are given in terms of numerical examples, which imply that the hybrid intelligent algorithm is robust and more effective. In particular, it reduces the running time significantly for large size problems.     

Portfolio adjusting optimization with added assets and transaction costs based on credibility measures

In response to changeful financial markets and investor’s capital, we discuss a portfolio adjusting problem with additional risk assets and a riskless asset based on credibility theory. We propose two credibilistic mean–variance portfolio adjusting models with general fuzzy returns, which take lending, borrowing, transaction cost, additional risk assets and capital into consideration in portfolio adjusting process. We present crisp forms of the models when the returns of risk assets are some deterministic fuzzy variables such as trapezoidal, triangular and interval types. We also employ a quadratic programming solution algorithm for obtaining optimal adjusting strategy. The comparisons of numeral results from different models illustrate the efficiency of the proposed models and the algorithm.     

Fuzzy portfolio model with different investor risk attitudes

We propose a fuzzy portfolio model designed for efficient portfolio selection with respect to uncertain or vague returns. Although many researchers have studied the fuzzy portfolio model, no researcher has yet attempted a behavioral analysis of the investor in the fuzzy portfolio model. To address this problem, we examined investor risk attitudes—risk-averse, risk-neutral, or risk-seeking behaviors—to discover an efficient method for fuzzy portfolio selection. In this study, we relied on the advantages of possibilistic mean–standard deviation models that we believed would fit the risk attitudes of investors. Thus, we developed a fuzzy portfolio model that focuses on different investor risk attitudes so that fuzzy portfolio selection for investors who possess different risk attitudes can be achieved more easily. Finally, we presented a numerical example of a portfolio selection problem to illustrate ways to address problems presented by a variety of investor risk attitudes.     

Mean-variance models for portfolio selection with fuzzy random returns

This paper develops two novel types of mean-variance models for portfolio selection problems, in which the security returns are assumed to be characterized by fuzzy random variables with known possibility and probability distributions. In the proposed models, we take the expected return of a portfolio as the investment return and the variance of the expected return of a portfolio as the investment risk. We assume that the security returns are triangular fuzzy random variables. To solve the proposed portfolio problems, this paper first presents the variance formulas for triangular fuzzy random variables. Then this paper applies the variance formulas to the proposed models so that the original portfolio problems can be reduced to nonlinear programming ones. Due to the reduced programming problems include standard normal distribution in the objective functions, we cannot employ the conventional solution methods to solve them. To overcome this difficulty, this paper employs genetic algorithm (GA) to solve them, and verify the obtained optimal solutions via Kuhn-Tucker (K-T) conditions. Finally, two numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed models and methods.     

Portfolio adjusting optimization with added assets and transaction costs based on credibility measures

In response to changeful financial markets and investor’s capital, we discuss a portfolio adjusting problem with additional risk assets and a riskless asset based on credibility theory. We propose two credibilistic mean–variance portfolio adjusting models with general fuzzy returns, which take lending, borrowing, transaction cost, additional risk assets and capital into consideration in portfolio adjusting process. We present crisp forms of the models when the returns of risk assets are some deterministic fuzzy variables such as trapezoidal, triangular and interval types. We also employ a quadratic programming solution algorithm for obtaining optimal adjusting strategy. The comparisons of numeral results from different models illustrate the efficiency of the proposed models and the algorithm.     

随机模糊的等比例-最小方差投资组合优化研究

Markowitz的均值-方差模型在投资组合优化中得到了广泛的运用和拓展,其中多数拓展模型仅局限于对随机投资组合或模糊投资组合的研究,而忽略了实际问题同时包含了随机信息和模糊信息两个方面。本文首先定义随机模糊变量的方差用以度量投资组合的风险,提出具有阀值约束的最小方差随机模糊投资组合模型,基于随机模糊理论,将该模型转化为具有线性等式和不等式约束的凸二次规划问题。为了提高上述模型的有效性,本文以投资者期望效用最大化为压缩目标对投资组合权重进行压缩,构建等比例-最小方差混合的随机模糊投资组合模型,并求解该模型的最优解。最后,运用滚动实际数据的方法,比较上述两个模型的夏普比率以验证其有效性。     

Taylor series approximations to expected utility and optimal portfolio choice

This paper revisits the subject of Taylor series approximations to expected utility and investigates the applicability of the technique to optimal portfolio choice problems. We first provide conditions under which the approximate expected utility of a given portfolio converges to its exact counterpart. We then extend the analysis to the optimal portfolio choice setting and provide conditions on the distribution of asset returns under which the solution to the approximate portfolio choice problem converges to its exact counterpart. Finally, we show that, when asset returns are skewed, one can improve the precision and efficiency of the Taylor expansion by applying a simple nonlinear transformation to asset returns designed to symmetrize the transformed return distribution and shrink its support.     

Portfolios with fuzzy returns: Selection strategies based on semi-infinite programming

This paper provides new models for portfolio selection in which the returns on securities are considered fuzzy numbers rather than random variables. The investor's problem is to find the portfolio that minimizes the risk of achieving a return that is not less than the return of a riskless asset. The corresponding optimal portfolio is derived using semi-infinite programming in a soft framework. The return on each asset and their membership functions are described using historical data. The investment risk is approximated by mean intervals which evaluate the downside risk for a given fuzzy portfolio. This approach is illustrated with a numerical example.     

A portfolio-based evaluation of affine term structure models

We focus on affine term structure models as tools for active bond portfolio management. Our financial exercise comprises the following steps: 1) forecast the future values of the state variables implied by several multi-factor models; 2) approximate the conditional moments of the state vector to come up with discrete scenarios for the future state variables 3) compute bond returns for various maturities at future dates from the theoretical asset pricing relations 4) solve the portfolio problem faced by an investor with a six month horizon who takes into account the possibility to rebalance after one quarter. The sequence of optimal portfolios is evaluated in terms of financial properties. We show that a financial based evaluation of term structure models may yield results conflicting with those obtained from a statistical evaluation.     

Optimisation of integrated reverse logistics networks with different product recovery routes

The awareness of importance of product recovery has grown swiftly in the past few decades. This paper focuses on a problem of inventory control and production planning optimisation of a generic type of an integrated Reverse Logistics (RL) network which consists of a traditional forward production route, two alternative recovery routes, including repair and remanufacturing and a disposal route. It is assumed that demand and return quantities are uncertain. A quality level is assigned to each of the returned products. Due to uncertainty in the return quantity, quantity of returned products of a certain quality level is uncertain too. The uncertainties are modelled using fuzzy trapezoidal numbers. Quality thresholds are used to segregate the returned products into repair, remanufacturing or disposal routes. A two phase fuzzy mixed integer optimisation algorithm is developed to provide a solution to the inventory control and production planning problem. In Phase 1, uncertainties in quantity of product returns and quality of returns are considered to calculate the quantities to be sent to different recovery routes. These outputs are inputs into Phase 2 which generates decisions on component procurement, production, repair and disassembly. Finally, numerical experiments and sensitivity analysis are carried out to better understand the effects of quality of returns and RL network parameters on the network performance. These parameters include quantity of returned products, unit repair costs, unit production cost, setup costs and unit disposal cost.     

Fuzzy turnover rate chance constraints portfolio model

One concern of many investors is to own the assets which can be liquidated easily. Thus, in this paper, we incorporate portfolio liquidity in our proposed model. Liquidity is measured by an index called turnover rate. Since the return of an asset is uncertain, we present it as a trapezoidal fuzzy number and its turnover rate is measured by fuzzy credibility theory. The desired portfolio turnover rate is controlled through a fuzzy chance constraint. Furthermore, to manage the portfolios with asymmetric investment return, other than mean and variance, we also utilize the third central moment, the skewness of portfolio return. In fact, we propose a fuzzy portfolio mean–variance–skewness model with cardinality constraint which combines assets limitations with liquidity requirement. To solve the model, we also develop a hybrid algorithm which is the combination of cardinality constraint, genetic algorithm, and fuzzy simulation, called FCTPM.     

模糊时间数列的分析与预测:以台湾地区加权股价指数为例

随着我国经济快速成长，衍生性金融商品的投资分析，已成为国内财务数学研究热门课题。以股票市场而言，人们总希望比别人早一步掌握行情的脉动，以获取最高的报酬率，然而，影响股市加权股价指数波动的因素众多，要如何进行趋势分析与预测，是很多学者相当感兴趣与研究的主题。本文考虑以模糊统计方法，作模糊时间数列的趋势分析与预测。其望应用模糊统计分析方法比传统的时间数列分析方法能得到更合理的解释，且预测结果可以提供决策者更多的信息，做出正确的决策。最后以台湾地区加权股票指数为例，做一实证上的详细探讨。     

An improved fuzzy time series forecasting method using trapezoidal fuzzy numbers

One of the major drawbacks of the existing fuzzy time series forecasting models is the fact that they only provide a single-point forecasted value just like the output of the traditional time series methods. Hence, they cannot provide a decision analyst more useful information. The aim of this present research is to design an improved fuzzy time series forecasting method in which the forecasted value will be a trapezoidal fuzzy number instead of a single-point value. Furthermore, the proposed method may also increase the forecasting accuracy. Two numerical data sets were used to illustrate the proposed method and compare the forecasting accuracy with three fuzzy time series methods. The results of the comparison indicate that the proposed method can generate forecasting values that are more accurate.     

模糊时间序列模型的辨识

可能性线性系统的输出时间序列可用模糊数来表示，我们称其为模糊时间序列（ＦＴＳ），这篇论文提出了ＦＴＳ分析的新方法，并研究它的参数估计和模型定价。两个仿真例子表明本文提出的方法对ＦＴＳ分析是非常有效的。     

Two new models for portfolio selection with stochastic returns taking fuzzy information

This paper proposes two new models for portfolio selection in which the security returns are stochastic variables with fuzzy information. A hybrid intelligent algorithm is designed to solve the optimization problem which is otherwise hard to solve with the existing algorithms due to the complexity of the return variables. To illustrate the modelling idea and to show the effectiveness of the proposed approach, two numerical examples are provided.     

带有模糊系数的投资组合模型研究

在证券市场,由于各种不确定因素的存在,证券的预期收益率是难以精确估算的。本文采用模糊数来处理不确定性,提出了一种基于模糊收益率的投资组合模型。为度量投资组合的风险,将绝对偏差扩展到模糊情形。通过引入模糊数绝对值的概念和不等关系的两种占优准则,将该模型转化为相应的确定性线性规划问题,投资者可根据自己的主观态度选择参数和投资策略。最后用一个具体例子验证了模型的合理性和有效性。