Portfolio selection with a minimax measure in safety constraint

In this paper, we attempt to design a portfolio optimization model for investors who desire to minimize the variation around the mean return and at the same time wish to achieve better return than the worst possible return realization at every time point in a single period portfolio investment. The portfolio is to be selected from the risky assets in the equity market. Since the minimax portfolio optimization model provides us with the portfolio that maximizes (minimizes) the worst return (worst loss) realization in the investment horizon period, in order to safeguard the interest of investors, the optimal value of the minimax optimization model is used to design a constraint in the mean-absolute semideviation model. This constraint can be viewed as a safety strategy adopted by an investor. Thus, our proposed bi-objective linear programming model involves mean return as a reward and mean-absolute semideviation as a risk in the objective function and minimax as a safety constraint, which enables a trade off between return and risk with a fixed safety value. The efficient frontier of the model is generated using the augmented -constraint method on the GAMS software. We simultaneously solve the ratio optimization problem which maximizes the ratio of mean return over mean-absolute semideviation with same minimax value in the safety constraint. Subsequently, we choose two portfolios on the above generated efficient frontier such that the risk from one of them is less and the mean return from other portfolio is more than the respective quantities of the optimal portfolio from the ratio optimization model. Extensive computational results and in-sample and out-of-sample analysis are provided to compare the financial performance of the optimal portfolios selected by our proposed model with that of the optimal portfolios from the existing minimax and mean-absolute semideviation portfolio optimization models on real data from S&P CNX Nifty index.     

Dynamic value at risk under optimal and suboptimal portfolio policies

At present, all value at risk (VaR) implementations – i.e., all risk measures of the “maximum loss at a given level of confidence” type – are based on the assumption that the portfolio mix will not change before the VaR horizon. This hypothesis may be unrealistic, especially when the VaR horizon is established by the regulators (BIS). At the opposite, we measure VaR dynamically, i.e., taking into consideration portfolio mix adjustments over time: adjustments do not occur continuously, since they are costly. We allow both optimal rebalancing policies, which entail changing the portfolio mix whenever it is too far from the optimal one, and suboptimal policies, which mean adjusting at pre-fixed dates.We show that in both cases usual VaR measures underestimate portfolio losses, even if the underlying returns are normal. We study the dependence of the misestimate on the VaR horizon, the initial portfolio mix and the risk aversion of the portfolio manager, which in turn determines the frequency of interventions. The bias can be more relevant over one day than over longer horizons and even if the initial portfolio is nearly optimal. We also perform backtesting and estimate a “coherent” risk measure, namely conditional VaR, which confirms the inappropriateness of the usual, static VaR.     

Risk-sensitive portfolio optimization on infinite time horizon

We consider a continuous time portfolio optimization problems on an infinite time horizon for a factor model, recently treated by Bielecki and Pliska ["Risk-sensitive dynamic asset management", Appl. Math. Optim. , 39 (1990) 337-360], where the mean returns of individual securities or asset categories are explicitly affected by economic factors. The factors are assumed to be Gaussian processes. We see new features in constructing optimal strategies for risk-sensitive criteria of the portfolio optimization on an infinite time horizon, which are obtained from the solutions of matrix Riccati equations.     

A multi-period bank portfolio management program

We describe a bank portfolio management program based on the complete Markowitz model, which explicitly treats risk due to unanticipated fluctuations in interest rate. Our program takes into account both inter-temporal and intra-temporal covariance. The major result of this approach is that, for the same expected return, our model yields a portfolio with significantly smaller risk than that determined by an index model. For the same risk level, our method yields a portfolio with higher expected yield. The model employs a rolling planning horizon, with time periods in the planning horizon of arbitrary length. A novelty in the model is that it permits inter-temporal transactions in the portfolio's securities by generating dummy securities to represent every possible transaction over the planning horizon. The output from the model consists of a list of portfolio strategies showing the expected after-tax return and the 1% worst case yield for each strategy. We also present an illustrative example, using real data from a large Pennsylvania bank, and compare the results from our model to the simpler variance-only and index models. The principles upon which the model is based are sufficiently general to allow the program to be expanded into a general asset-liability balance sheet management program.     

Scenario optimization asset and liability modelling for individual investors

We develop a scenario optimization model for asset and liability management of individual investors. The individual has a given level of initial wealth and a target goal to be reached within some time horizon. The individual must determine an asset allocation strategy so that the portfolio growth rate will be sufficient to reach the target. A scenario optimization model is formulated which maximizes the upside potential of the portfolio, with limits on the downside risk. Both upside and downside are measured vis-à-vis the goal. The stochastic behavior of asset returns is captured through bootstrap simulation, and the simulation is embedded in the model to determine the optimal portfolio. Post-optimality analysis using out-of-sample scenarios measures the probability of success of a given portfolio. It also allows us to estimate the required increase in the initial endowment so that the probability of success is improved.     

含MCVaR的投资组合优化统一模型

研究了Duarte提出的投资组合优化统一模型及条件风险价值(CVaR),分析了以CVaR为风险度量的投资组合优化模型的具体形式,建立了统一七种模型的投资组合优化统一模型,并发现统一模型是一个凸二次规划问题.     

A general framework for multistage mean-variance post-tax optimization

An investor’s decisions affect the way taxes are paid in a general portfolio investment, modifying the net redemption value and the yearly optimal portfolio distribution. We investigate the role of these decisions on multistage mean-variance portfolio allocation model. A number of risky assets grouped in wrappers with special taxation rules is integrated in a multistage financial portfolio optimization problem. The uncertainty on the returns of assets is specified as a scenario tree generated by simulation/clustering based approach. We show the impact of decisions in the yearly reallocation of the investments for three typical cases with an annual fixed withdrawal in a fixed horizon that utilizes completely the option of taper relief offered by banks in UK. Our computational framework can be used as a tool for testing decisions in this context.     

Twenty years of linear programming based portfolio optimization

Markowitz formulated the portfolio optimization problem through two criteria: the expected return and the risk, as a measure of the variability of the return. The classical Markowitz model uses the variance as the risk measure and is a quadratic programming problem. Many attempts have been made to linearize the portfolio optimization problem. Several different risk measures have been proposed which are computationally attractive as (for discrete random variables) they give rise to linear programming (LP) problems. About twenty years ago, the mean absolute deviation (MAD) model drew a lot of attention resulting in much research and speeding up development of other LP models. Further, the LP models based on the conditional value at risk (CVaR) have a great impact on new developments in portfolio optimization during the first decade of the 21st century. The LP solvability may become relevant for real-life decisions when portfolios have to meet side constraints and take into account transaction costs or when large size instances have to be solved. In this paper we review the variety of LP solvable portfolio optimization models presented in the literature, the real features that have been modeled and the solution approaches to the resulting models, in most of the cases mixed integer linear programming (MILP) models. We also discuss the impact of the inclusion of the real features.     

Portfolio selection problems with Markowitz’s mean–variance framework: a review of literature

Since the pioneering work of Harry Markowitz, mean–variance portfolio selection model has been widely used in both theoretical and empirical studies, which maximizes the investment return under certain risk level or minimizes the investment risk under certain return level. In this paper, we review several variations or generalizations that substantially improve the performance of Markowitz’s mean–variance model, including dynamic portfolio optimization, portfolio optimization with practical factors, robust portfolio optimization and fuzzy portfolio optimization. The review provides a useful reference to handle portfolio selection problems for both researchers and practitioners. Some summaries about the current studies and future research directions are presented at the end of this paper.     

Concentrated portfolio selection models based on historical data

A new risk measure fully based on historical data is proposed, from which we can naturally derive concentrated optimal portfolios rather than imposing cardinality constraints. The new risk measure can be expressed as a quadratics of the introduced greedy matrix, which takes investors' joint behavior into account. We construct distribution‐free portfolio selection models in simple case and realistic case, respectively. The latest techniques for describing transaction cost constraints and solving nonconvex quadratic programs are utilized to obtain the optimal portfolio efficiently. In order to show the practicality, efficiency, and robustness of our new risk measure and corresponding portfolio selection models, a series of empirical studies are carried out with trading data from advanced stock markets and emerging stock markets. Different performance indicators are adopted to comprehensively compare results obtained under our new models with those obtained under the mean‐variance, mean‐semivariance, and mean‐conditional value‐at‐risk models. Out‐of‐sample results sufficiently show that our models outperform the others and provide a simple and practical approach for choosing concentrated, efficient, and robust portfolios. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Portfolio Optimization in a Semi-Markov Modulated Market

We address a portfolio optimization problem in a semi-Markov modulated market. We study both the terminal expected utility optimization on finite time horizon and the risk-sensitive portfolio optimization on finite and infinite time horizon. We obtain optimal portfolios in relevant cases. A numerical procedure is also developed to compute the optimal expected terminal utility for finite horizon problem. This work was supported in part by a DST project: SR/S4/MS: 379/06; also supported in part by a grant from UGC via DSA-SAP Phase IV, and in part by a CSIR Fellowship.     

Composition of an efficient portfolio in the Bielecki and Pliska market model

We study the continuous time portfolio optimization model due to Bielecki and Pliska where the mean returns of individual securities or asset categories are explicitly affected by underlying economic factors. We introduce the functional Q _γ featuring the expected earnings yield of portfolio minus a penalty term proportional with a coefficient γ to the variance when we keep the value of the factor levels fixed. The coefficient γ plays the role of a risk-aversion parameter. We find the optimal trading positions that can be obtained as the solution to a maximization problem for Q _γ at any moment of time. The single-factor case is analyzed in more details. We present a simple asset allocation example featuring a Vasicek-type interest rate which affects a stock index and also serves as a second investment opportunity. Then we compare our results with the theory of Bielecki and Pliska where the authors employ the methods of the risk-sensitive control theory thereby using an infinite horizon objective featuring the long run expected growth rate, the asymptotic variance, and a risk-aversion parameter similar to γ.     

Data-Recursive Smoother Formulae for Partially Observed Discrete-Time Markov Chains

Abstract

We address a dynamic portfolio optimization problem where the expected utility from terminal wealth has to be maximized. The special feature of this paper is an additional constraint on the portfolio strategy modeling bounded shortfall risks, which are measured by value at risk or expected loss. Using a continuous-time model of a complete financial market and applying martingale methods, analytic expressions for the optimal terminal wealth and the optimal portfolio strategies are given. Finally, some numerical results are presented.     

Multi-period portfolio optimization for asset–liability management with bankrupt control

In this paper, we investigate a multi-period portfolio optimization problem for asset–liability management of an investor who intends to control the probability of bankruptcy before reaching the end of an investment horizon. We formulate the problem as a generalized mean–variance model that incorporates bankrupt control over intermediate periods. Based on the Lagrangian multiplier method, the embedding technique, the dynamic programming approach and the Lagrangian duality theory, we propose a method to solve the model. A numerical example is given to demonstrate our method and show the impact of bankrupt control and market parameters on the optimal portfolio strategy.     

Portfolio insurance under a risk-measure constraint

We study the problem of portfolio insurance from the point of view of a fund manager, who guarantees to the investor that the portfolio value at maturity will be above a fixed threshold. If, at maturity, the portfolio value is below the guaranteed level, a third party will refund the investor up to the guarantee. In exchange for this protection, the third party imposes a limit on the risk exposure of the fund manager, in the form of a convex monetary risk measure. The fund manager therefore tries to maximize the investor’s utility function subject to the risk-measure constraint. We give a full solution to this non-convex optimization problem in the complete market setting and show in particular that the choice of the risk measure is crucial for the optimal portfolio to exist. Explicit results are provided for the entropic risk measure (for which the optimal portfolio always exists) and for the class of spectral risk measures (for which the optimal portfolio may fail to exist in some cases).     

Optimal portfolios with asymptotic criteria

This paper is concerned with a portfolio optimization model for a long planning horizon. We first argue that in this case the asymptotic growth rate and the asymptotic variance are better measures of performance than the usual mean and variance of return. We next propose an efficient algorithm for calculating the asymptotic frontier, i.e., the efficient frontier relative to the new criteria. Finally, we illustrate our methods and compare the difference between our model and the classical mean-variance-model by using historical data based on the 1064 stocks of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.     

Multi-stock portfolio optimization under prospect theory

We study how a behavioral agent allocates her portfolio. We consider a cumulative prospect theory investor in a single period setting with one riskless bond and multiple risky stocks, which follow a multivariate elliptical distribution. Our main result is a two-fund separation between the riskless bond and a mean?Cvariance-portfolio, up to an exogenous benchmark portfolio. The mean?Cvariance-portfolio, which we derive explicitly, is the same for all agents. Individual risk preferences are mirrored only in the participation in this portfolio. This dependence is illustrated by considering empirical returns. Furthermore we solve ill-posed optimization problems by imposing a regulatory risk constraint. Finally we address specific parameterizations of the value function by studying power, linear, and exponential utility.     

Filter‐based portfolio strategies in an HMM setting with varying correlation parametrizations

We consider portfolio optimization in a regime‐switching market. The assets of the portfolio are modeled through a hidden Markov model (HMM) in discrete time, where drift and volatility of the single assets are allowed to switch between different states. We consider different parametrizations of the involved asset covariances: statewise uncorrelated assets (though linked through the common Markov chain), assets correlated in a state‐independent way, and assets where the correlation varies from state to state. As a benchmark, we also consider a model without regime switches. We utilize a filter‐based expectation‐maximization (EM) algorithm to obtain optimal parameter estimates within this multivariate HMM and present parameter estimators in all three HMM settings. We discuss the impact of these different models on the performance of several portfolio strategies. Our findings show that for simulated returns, our strategies in many settings outperform naïve investment strategies, like the equal weights strategy. Information criteria can be used to detect the best model for estimation as well as for portfolio optimization. A second study using real data confirms these findings.     

转点识别在VaR估计中的应用

本文深入分析了VaR估计结果对市场比率运动规律假设的依赖性 .文献 [1 ],[2 ][4 ]都没有考虑市场因素出现结构性的转变对VaR估计的影响 .事实上 ,市场因素受到其它各种因素的影响 ,很可能发生结构性的转变 .故本文在引入转点识别的基础上对VaR估计方法作出改进 ,从而把市场因素结构性转变引入到VaR估计之中 ,且随机模拟实验结果表明引入转点后的预报有更高的可信度 .     

Optimal portfolio‐consumption choice under stochastic inflation with nominal and indexed bonds

This research solves the intertemporal portfolio choice problems with and without interim consumption under stochastic inflation. We assume a one‐factor nominal interest rate and a one‐factor expected inflation rate, implying a two‐factor real interest rate in the economy. In contrast to other related research which adopts the one‐factor real interest rate model, the inflation‐indexed bond is not a redundant asset class even in a complete market. The infinitely risk‐averse investor would prefer to invest all her wealth in inflation‐indexed bonds maturing at the investment horizon. We also show that, with the two‐factor real interest rate model, the consumption‐wealth ratio is not determined by the real interest rate alone. The investor's consumption–wealth ratio is also affected by the nominal interest rate and expected inflation rate levels. The capital market is calibrated to U.S. stocks, bonds, and inflation data. The optimal weights show that aggressive investors hold more nominal bonds in order to earn the inflation risk premiums, while conservative investors concentrate on indexed bonds to hedge against the inflation risk. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.