The sustainability balanced scorecard as a framework for selecting socially responsible investment: an effective MCDM model

In recent years, sustainable development and social responsibility have become important issues around the globe. Investors are interested in the so-called ‘socially responsible investment’ (SRI), an investment strategy that employs criteria other than financial risk and return when selecting firms in which to invest. The practice of SRI shows that there are growing numbers of investors who want to take account of more criteria. Given this worldwide trend, the question arises how these issues can be incorporated into the investment decision process. This paper proposes a novel integrated model for selecting SRI stocks and illustrates the practical application of such a model through a case study. This model first applied the decision making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) approach to deal with the interdependencies existing among the criteria of organization requires, and then integrated the DEMATEL, the analytic network process, and the zero-one goal programming method to select an optimal portfolio of SRI. Additionally, we used the sustainability balanced scorecard as a multi-criteria framework for SRI evaluation. This integrated model enables the management to obtain the fitting SRI portfolio and achieves the desired spiritual value.     

Optimal impulse control of a portfolio with a fixed transaction cost

The aim of this work is to investigate a portfolio optimization problem in presence of fixed transaction costs. We consider an economy with two assets: one risky, modeled by a geometric Brownian motion, and one risk-free which grows at a certain fixed rate. The agent is fully described by his/her utility function and the objective is to maximize the expected utility from the liquidation of wealth at a terminal date. We deal with different forms of utility functions (power, logarithmic and exponential utility), describing in each case how the fixed transaction costs influence the agent’s behavior. We show when it is optimal to recalibrate his/her portfolio and which are the best adjusted portfolios. We also analyze how the optimal strategy is influenced by the risk-aversion, as well as other model parameters.     

Optimal Investment in a Levy Market

In this paper we consider the optimal investment problem in a market where the stock price process is modeled by a geometric Levy process (taking into account jumps). Except for the geometric Brownian model and the geometric Poissonian model, the resulting models are incomplete and there are many equivalent martingale measures. However, the model can be completed by the so-called power-jump assets. By doing this we allow investment in these new assets and we can try to maximize the expected utility of these portfolios. As particular cases we obtain the optimal portfolios based in stocks and bonds, showing that the new assets are superfluous for certain martingale measures that depend on the utility function we use.     

基于下界VaR对沪深股市市场风险的实证研究

本文应用Luciano和Marena提出的计算资产组合VaR的上下界的方法,对沪深股市的市场风险做了实证研究,并与传统的正态VaR做了比较。实证分析表明,沪深股市的市场风险确实存在“厚尾”和“波动聚集”现象。本文对国内市场的波动聚集现象进行了详细分析．并讨论了风险控制模型的相关检验,下界VaR通过了两次模型检验。     

Diversification-consistent data envelopment analysis with general deviation measures

We propose new efficiency tests which are based on traditional DEA models and take into account portfolio diversification. The goal is to identify the investment opportunities that perform well without specifying our attitude to risk. We use general deviation measures as the inputs and return measures as the outputs. We discuss the choice of the set of investment opportunities including portfolios with limited number of assets. We compare the optimal values (efficiency scores) of all proposed tests leading to the relations between the sets of efficient opportunities. Strength of the tests is then discussed. We test the efficiency of 25 world financial indices using new DEA models with CVaR deviation measures.     

Equal Risk Bounding is better than Risk Parity for portfolio selection

Risk Parity (RP), also called equally weighted risk contribution, is a recent approach to risk diversification for portfolio selection. RP is based on the principle that the fractions of the capital invested in each asset should be chosen so as to make the total risk contributions of all assets equal among them. We show here that the Risk Parity approach is theoretically dominated by an alternative similar approach that does not actually require equally weighted risk contribution of all assets but only an equal upper bound on all such risks. This alternative approach, called Equal Risk Bounding (ERB), requires the solution of a nonconvex quadratically constrained optimization problem. The ERB approach, while starting from different requirements, turns out to be strictly linked to the RP approach. Indeed, when short selling is allowed, we prove that an ERB portfolio is actually an RP portfolio with minimum variance. When short selling is not allowed, there is a unique RP portfolio and it contains all assets in the market. In this case, the ERB approach might lead to the RP portfolio or it might lead to portfolios with smaller variance that do not contain all assets, and where the risk contributions of each asset included in the portfolio is strictly smaller than in the RP portfolio. We define a new riskiness index for assets that allows to identify those assets that are more likely to be excluded from the ERB portfolio. With these tools we then provide an exact method for small size nonconvex ERB models and a very efficient and accurate heuristic for larger problems of this type. In the case of a common constant pairwise correlation among all assets, a closed form solution to the ERB model is obtained and used to perform a parametric analysis when varying the level of correlation. The practical advantages of the ERB approach over the RP strategy are illustrated with some numerical examples. Computational experience on real-world and on simulated data confirms accuracy and efficiency of our heuristic approach to the ERB model also in comparison with some state-of-the-art local and global optimization codes.     

Portfolio optimization for wealth-dependent risk preferences

Empirical and theoretical studies of preference structures of investors have long shown that personal and corporate utility is typically multimodal, implying that the same investor can be risk-averse at certain levels of wealth while risk-seeking at others. In this paper, we consider the problem of optimizing the portfolio of an investor with an indefinite quadratic utility function. The convex and concave segments of this utility reflect the investor’s attitude towards risk, which changes based on deviations from a fixed goal. Uncertainty is modeled via a finite set of scenarios for the returns of securities. A global optimization approach is developed to solve the proposed nonconvex optimization problem. We present computational results which investigate the effect of short sales and demonstrate that the proposed approach systematically produces portfolios with higher values of skewness than the classical expectation-variance approach.     

Portfolio optimization based on downside risk: a mean-semivariance efficient frontier from Dow Jones blue chips

To create efficient funds appealing to a sector of bank clients, the objective of minimizing downside risk is relevant to managers of funds offered by the banks. In this paper, a case focusing on this objective is developed. More precisely, the scope and purpose of the paper is to apply the mean-semivariance efficient frontier model, which is a recent approach to portfolio selection of stocks when the investor is especially interested in the constrained minimization of downside risk measured by the portfolio semivariance. Concerning the opportunity set and observation period, the mean-semivariance efficient frontier model is applied to an actual case of portfolio choice from Dow Jones stocks with daily prices observed over the period 2005–2009. From these daily prices, time series of returns (capital gains weekly computed) are obtained as a piece of basic information. Diversification constraints are established so that each portfolio weight cannot exceed 5 per cent. The results show significant differences between the portfolios obtained by mean-semivariance efficient frontier model and those portfolios of equal expected returns obtained by classical Markowitz mean-variance efficient frontier model. Precise comparisons between them are made, leading to the conclusion that the results are consistent with the objective of reflecting downside risk.     

Non-linear equity portfolio variance reduction under a mean–variance framework—A delta–gamma approach

To examine the variance reduction from portfolios with both primary and derivative assets we develop a mean–variance Markovitz portfolio management problem. By invoking the delta–gamma approximation we reduce the problem to a well-posed quadratic programming problem. From a practitioner’s perspective, the primary goal is to understand the benefits of adding derivative securities to portfolios of primary assets. Our numerical experiments quantify this variance reduction from sample equity portfolios to mixed portfolios (containing both equities and equity derivatives).     

Large deviations theorems for optimal investment problems with large portfolios

The thrust of this paper is to develop a new theoretical framework, based on large deviations theory, for the problem of optimal asset allocation in large portfolios. This problem is, apart from being theoretically interesting, also of practical relevance; examples include, inter alia, hedge funds where optimal strategies involve a large number of assets. In particular, we also prove the upper bound of the shortfall probability (or the risk bound) for the case where there is a finite number of assets. In the two-assets scenario, the effects of two types of asymmetries (i.e., asymmetry in the portfolio return distribution and asymmetric dependence among assets) on optimal portfolios and risk bounds are investigated. We calibrate our method with international equity data. In sum, both a theoretical analysis of the method and an empirical application indicate the feasibility and the significance of our approach.     

A new foundation for the mean–variance analysis

In this paper, I re-examine how the mean–variance analysis is consistent with its traditional theoretical foundations, namely, stochastic dominance and the expected utility theory. Then I propose a simplified version of the coarse utility theory as a new foundation. I prove that, by assuming risk aversion and the normality of asset variables, the simplified model is well behaved; indifference curves are convex and the opportunity set is concave. Therefore, there exist global optimal portfolios in the market. Finally, I prove that decision-making in accordance with the simplified model is consistent with the mean–variance analysis.     

Portfolio selection in stochastic markets with HARA utility functions

In this paper, we consider the optimal portfolio selection problem where the investor maximizes the expected utility of the terminal wealth. The utility function belongs to the HARA family which includes exponential, logarithmic, and power utility functions. The main feature of the model is that returns of the risky assets and the utility function all depend on an external process that represents the stochastic market. The states of the market describe the prevailing economic, financial, social, political and other conditions that affect the deterministic and probabilistic parameters of the model. We suppose that the random changes in the market states are depicted by a Markov chain. Dynamic programming is used to obtain an explicit characterization of the optimal policy. In particular, it is shown that optimal portfolios satisfy the separation property and the composition of the risky portfolio does not depend on the wealth of the investor. We also provide an explicit construction of the optimal wealth process and use it to determine various quantities of interest. The return-risk frontiers of the terminal wealth are shown to have linear forms. Special cases are discussed together with numerical illustrations.     

Non-separation in the mean–lower-partial-moment portfolio optimization problem

With a number of advantages, lower partial moments (LPM) serve as alternatives to variance as measures of portfolio risk. For two specific targets, a separation property holds in the context of mean–LPM portfolio optimization that allows investors to separate the decision about investment proportions among risky assets from the decision about how much to invest in risky versus risk-free assets. For other targets, however, separation is not guaranteed, and this case has not received much attention in the literature. We show in the case of non-separation that investment curves are not common to all optimizing investors, but that they are convex in (mean, LPM) space and their lower envelope is the efficient frontier. We consider the interesting behavior of investment curves and optimal risky portfolios. We also show empirically that an investor who mistakenly assumes separation holds will not experience significant excess portfolio risk in all practical cases.     

Selecting an optimal portfolio of consumer loans by applying the state preference approach

Internal models like CreditMetrics and KMV, implemented by banks to manage credit risk and assess regulatory capital, are significant examples of how practitioners apply modern portfolio theory (MPT) to the management of bank loan-portfolios.From a theoretical perspective there are several reasons suggesting to be careful in extending MPT to the case of bank loan-portfolios selection in order to avoid misleading results. Specifically, loans' log-returns are non-normally distributed random variables, furthermore, decision-makers not necessarily perform a quadratic utility function. Because both of those reasons the traditional mean–variance approach is inadequate in building up optimal loan-portfolios. Such a conclusion is even more relevant if specific categories of loans are considered.In our paper we deal with the problem of selecting optimal portfolios of consumer-loans by developing a state preference model. It allows us not to explicitly consider the distributional properties of loans' log-returns. The model is a static one having the objective to select the loan-portfolio maximizing the expected utility of wealth allocated by the bank managers, subject to a number of constraints accounting for fundamental strategic choices implemented by the bank managers.Our results show that flexibility is the main characteristic of our model. In fact, adding constraints gives new optimal portfolios without reducing the expected utility of the decision maker. We will explain that such a result does not depend on constraints' misspecification but on the risk structure implied in the state preference approach.     

Portfolio Optimization with Stochastic Volatilities and Constraints: An Application in High Dimension

In this paper we are interested in an investment problem with stochastic volatilities and portfolio constraints on amounts. We model the risky assets by jump diffusion processes and we consider an exponential utility function. The objective is to maximize the expected utility from the investor terminal wealth. The value function is known to be a viscosity solution of an integro-differential Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman (HJB in short) equation which could not be solved when the risky assets number exceeds three. Thanks to an exponential transformation, we reduce the nonlinearity of the HJB equation to a semilinear equation. We prove the existence of a smooth solution to the latter equation and we state a verification theorem which relates this solution to the value function. We present an example that shows the importance of this reduction for numerical study of the optimal portfolio. We then compute the optimal strategy of investment by solving the associated optimization problem.     

商业银行多项资产的合理分布

随着我国金融市场的进一步改革和完善,商业银行必须加强风险意识、优化资产结构、进行科学的资产管理,追求最大的利润,这已经成为日益增长的社会需求,本运用科布-道格拉斯型的效用函数,对商业银行资产的合理分配建立了一个理论模型,并分别讨论了在确定情形下和不确定情形下国有商业银行应该如何进行资产的合理分布,以达到规避风险和利润最大,即达到效用最大的目的。     

Market risk forecasting for high dimensional portfolios via factor copulas with GAS dynamics

In this paper we propose forecasting market risk measures, such as Value at Risk (VaR) and Expected Shortfall (ES), for large dimensional portfolios via copula modeling. For that we compare several high dimensional copula models, from naive ones to complex factor copulas, which are able to simultaneously tackle the curse of dimensionality and introduce a high level of complexity into the model. We explore both static and dynamic copula fitting. In the dynamic case we allow different levels of flexibility for the dependence parameters which are driven by a GAS (Generalized Autoregressive Scores) model, in the spirit of Oh and Patton (2015). Our empirical results, for assets negotiated at Brazilian BOVESPA stock market from January, 2008 to December, 2014, suggest that, compared to the other copula models, the GAS dynamic factor copula approach has a superior performance in terms of AIC (Akaike Information Criterion) and a non-inferior performance with respect to VaR and ES forecasting.     

Optimal allocation between bank loans and treasuries with regret

The main categories of assets held by banks are loans, Treasuries (bonds issued by the national Treasury), reserves and intangible assets. In our contribution, we investigate the investment of bank funds in loans and Treasuries with the aim of generating an optimal final fund level. Our results take behavioral aspects such as risk and regret into account. More specifically, we apply a branch of optimization theory that enables us to consider a regret attribute alongside a risk component as an integral part of the utility function. In this case, regret-aversion corresponds to the convexity of the regret function and the bank’s preference is assumed to be representable by optimization subject to the utility. In addition, we provide a comparison between risk- and regret-averse banks in terms of optimal asset allocation between loans and Treasuries. A feature of our contribution is that these and other optimization issues are analyzed briefly and, where possible, represented graphically. Furthermore, we comment on the claim that an investment away from loans towards Treasuries is responsible for credit crunches in the banking industry.     

To split or not to split: Capital allocation with convex risk measures

Convex risk measures were introduced by Deprez and Gerber [Deprez, O., Gerber, H.U., 1985. On convex principles of premium calculation. Insurance: Math. Econom. 4 (3), 179-189]. Here the problem of allocating risk capital to subportfolios is addressed, when convex risk measures are used. The Aumann-Shapley value is proposed as an appropriate allocation mechanism. Distortion-exponential measures are discussed extensively and explicit capital allocation formulas are obtained for the case that the risk measure belongs to this family. Finally the implications of capital allocation with a convex risk measure for the stability of portfolios are discussed. It is demonstrated that using a convex risk measure for capital allocation can produce an incentive for infinite fragmentation of portfolios.     

Options strategies for international portfolios with overall risk management via multi-stage stochastic programming

This paper proposes a multi-stage stochastic programming model to explore optimal options strategies for international portfolios with overall risk management on Greek letters, extending existing Greek-based analysis to dynamic and nondeterministic programming under uncertainty. The contribution to the existing literature are overall control on the time-varying Greek letters, state-contingent decision dynamics in consistent with the projected outcomes of the changing information, and a holistic view for optimizing the portfolio of assets and options. Empirical results show the model possesses considerable benefits in terms of larger profit margins, greater stability of returns and higher hedging efficiency compared to traditional methods.