Optimal asset allocation for pension funds under mortality risk during the accumulation and decumulation phases

In a financial market with one riskless asset and n risky assets whose prices are lognormal, we solve in a closed form the problem of a pension fund maximizing the expected CRRA utility of its surplus till the (stochastic) death time of a representative agent. We consider a unique asset allocation problem for both accumulation and decumulation phases. The optimal investment in the risky assets must decrease during the first phase and increase during the second one. We accordingly suggest it is not optimal to manage the two phases separately, and outsourcing of allocation decisions should be avoided in both phases. JEL: G23, G11 MSC 2000: 62P05, 91B28, 91B30, 91B70, 93E20     

Data envelopment analysis models of investment funds

This paper develops theory missing in the sizable literature that uses data envelopment analysis to construct return-risk ratios for investment funds. It explores the production possibility set of the investment funds to identify an appropriate form of returns to scale. It discusses what risk and return measures can justifiably be combined and how to deal with negative risks, and identifies suitable sets of measures. It identifies the problems of failing to deal with diversification and develops an iterative approximation procedure to deal with it. It identifies relationships between diversification, coherent measures of risk and stochastic dominance. It shows how the iterative procedure makes a practical difference using monthly returns of 30 hedge funds over the same time period. It discusses possible shortcomings of the procedure and offers directions for future research.     

Handling of Environmental and Biological Samples via Pre-Column Technologies

Abstract

Sample handling is still a weak point in chromatography and in analytical chemisty in general. One consideration is the automation potential of new procedures. Solid-liquid extraction techniques in combination with pre-column technology are particularly promising in this regards. The construction and geometry of pre-columns both for conventional and narrow-bore HPLC are of major importance, since band broadening should be kept at a minimum for an optimal functioning of the analytical system. The various operations that can be carried out with such a pre-column are trace-enrichment, clean-up of the sample which depends on the type of adsorbents used in the precolumn, i.e., polar or apolar materials, ion exchangers or metal covered surfaces, etc., protection of the analytical column, field sampling and storage of samples and as a substrate for on-column chemical derivatizations. These various operations are demonstrated with practical examples from the fields of environmental and biological analysis. The selectivity can be further enhanced by coupling precolumn technology with selective detection modes such as diode array UV, electrochemical or fluorescence detection. This enables the construction of optimal and integrated analysis sytems which are fully automated and microprocessor controlled. They can also be made compatible with miniaturized LC-technology.     

条件风险下的两基金分离定理

鉴于条件风险价值CVaR具有风险度量的合理性以及两基金分离定理对证券投资的重要意义,以CVaR作为风险度量研究两基金分离定理.在组合收益率服从正态分布的假设下,分别就投资组合含有或没有无风险资产的情形提出并证明了两基金分离定理;放开方差-协方差矩阵为非奇异这一通常假设,证明了CVaR风险度量下的两基金分离定理依然成立.     

基于生存概率的保险基金最优投资策略研究

利用破产理论和随机控制理论研究保险基金最优投资策略,建立生存概率最大化的目标函数,得到最优投资策略满足的随机微分方程;在初始金逼近0时得到保险基金的最优投资策略的显示解;采用递推算法,得到初始准备金为任意值时的最优投资策略.     

Performance of Portfolios Based on the Expected Utility-Entropy Fund Rating Approach

Yang and Qiu proposed and reframed an expected utility–entropy (EU-E) based decision model. Later on, a similar numerical representation for a risky choice was axiomatically developed by Luce et al. under the condition of segregation. Recently, we established a fund rating approach based on the EU-E decision model and Morningstar ratings. In this paper, we apply the approach to US mutual funds and construct portfolios using the best rating funds. Furthermore, we evaluate the performance of the fund ratings based on the EU-E decision model against Morningstar ratings by examining the performance of the three models in portfolio selection. The conclusions show that portfolios constructed using the ratings based on the EU-E models with moderate tradeoff coefficients perform better than those constructed using Morningstar. The conclusion is robust to different rebalancing intervals.     

Seasonality and idiosyncratic risk in mutual fund performance

This paper examines the relationship between seasonality, idiosyncratic risk and mutual fund returns using multifactor models. We use a large sample containing the return histories of 728 UK mutual funds over a 23-year period to measure fund performance. We present evidence that idiosyncratic risk cannot be eliminated, we also find evidence of seasonality in all fund categories. Specifically, we find a close relation between the seasonality and the end of the tax-year. We document that the idiosyncratic risk puzzle cannot explain seasonality in fund performance in the UK. Although, we do find that idiosyncratic risk can account for the seasonality in the month of April. Thus, the results show a link between the tax-loss selling hypothesis in April and idiosyncratic risk in that month. Finally, we report evidence that idiosyncratic risk is negatively related to expected returns for most fund classes.     

Impulse control of pension fund contributions,in a regime switching economy

In defined benefit pension plans, allowances are independent from the financial performance of the fund. And the sponsoring firm pays regularly contributions to limit deviations of fund assets from the mathematical reserve, necessary for covering the promised liabilities. This research paper proposes a method to optimize the timing and size of contributions, in a regime switching economy. The model takes into consideration important market frictions, like transactions costs, late payments and illiquidity. The problem is solved numerically using dynamic programming and impulse control techniques. Our approach is based on parallel grids, with trinomial links, discretizing the asset return in each economic regime.     

中证开放式基金指数和GARCH-M模型

基于开放式基金指数周收益率时间序列的非正态性和厚尾特性,以中证开放式基金指数为例,运用GARCH-M模型进行研究,系统地分析我国不同类型的开放式基金的投资风险.实证分析表明:GARCH-M模型对中证开放式基金指数周收益率的拟合效果较好,并为预测我国开放式基金的投资风险提供了科学依据.     

具有时滞的利率-流通量方程的建立及其应用

本文对金融网络建立了带有时滞的利率-流通量方程，应用时滞微分方程理论，我们得到金融网络中，各节点利率最终将稳定于其基本利率的充分必要条件；给出了各节点利率均振动的充分必要条件以及存在周期解的充分必要条件。