Characterizing optimal allocations in quantile-based risk sharing

Unlike classic risk sharing problems based on expected utilities or convex risk measures, quantile-based risk sharing problems exhibit two special features. First, quantile-based risk measures (such as the Value-at-Risk) are often not convex, and second, they ignore some part of the distribution of the risk. These features create technical challenges in establishing a full characterization of optimal allocations, a question left unanswered in the literature. In this paper, we address the issues on the existence and the characterization of (Pareto-)optimal allocations in risk sharing problems for the Range-Value-at-Risk family. It turns out that negative dependence, mutual exclusivity in particular, plays an important role in the optimal allocations, in contrast to positive dependence appearing in classic risk sharing problems. As a by-product of our main finding, we obtain some results on the optimization of the Value-at-Risk (VaR) and the Expected Shortfall, as well as a new result on the inf-convolution of VaR and a general distortion risk measure.     

Portfolio value-at-risk optimization for asymmetrically distributed asset returns

We propose a new approach to portfolio optimization by separating asset return distributions into positive and negative half-spaces. The approach minimizes a newly-defined Partitioned Value-at-Risk (PVaR) risk measure by using half-space statistical information. Using simulated data, the PVaR approach always generates better risk-return tradeoffs in the optimal portfolios when compared to traditional Markowitz mean–variance approach. When using real financial data, our approach also outperforms the Markowitz approach in the risk-return tradeoff. Given that the PVaR measure is also a robust risk measure, our new approach can be very useful for optimal portfolio allocations when asset return distributions are asymmetrical.     

The optimal portfolio problem with coherent risk measure constraints

One of the basic problems of applied finance is the optimal selection of stocks, with the aim of maximizing future returns and constraining risks by an appropriate measure. Here, the problem is formulated by finding the portfolio that maximizes the expected return, with risks constrained by the worst conditional expectation. This model is a straightforward extension of the classic Markovitz mean–variance approach, where the original risk measure, variance, is replaced by the worst conditional expectation.The worst conditional expectation with a threshold α of a risk X, in brief WCE_α(X), is a function that belongs to the class of coherent risk measures. These are measures that satisfy a set of properties, such as subadditivity and monotonicity, that are introduced to prevent some of the drawbacks that affect some other common measures.This paper shows that the optimal portfolio selection problem can be formulated as a linear programming instance, but with an exponential number of constraints. It can be solved efficiently by an appropriate generation constraint subroutine, so that only a small number of inequalities are actually needed.This method is applied to the optimal selection of stocks in the Italian financial market and some computational results suggest that the optimal portfolios are better than the market index.     

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.     

Robust spectral risk optimization when the subjective risk aversion is ambiguous: a moment-type approach

Choice of a risk measure for quantifying risk of an investment portfolio depends on the decision maker’s risk preference. In this paper, we consider the case when such a preference can be described by a law invariant coherent risk measure but the choice of a specific risk measure is ambiguous. We propose a robust spectral risk approach to address such ambiguity. Differing from Wang and Xu (SIAM J Optim 30(4):3198–3229, 2020), the new robust model allows one to elicit the decision maker’s risk preference through pairwise comparisons and use the elicited preference information to construct an ambiguity set of risk spectra. The robust spectral risk measure (RSRM) is based on the worst case risk spectrum from the set. To calculate RSRM and solve the associated optimal decision making problem, we use a technique from Acerbi and Simonetti (Portfolio optimization with spectral measures of risk. Working paper, 2002) to develop a new computational approach which is independent of order statistics and reformulate the robust spectral risk optimization problem as a single deterministic convex programming problem when the risk spectra in the ambiguity set are step-like. Moreover, we propose an approximation scheme when the risk spectra are not step-like and derive a bound for the model approximation error and its propagation to the optimal decision making problems. Some preliminary numerical test results are reported about the performance of the robust model and the computational scheme.

     

Risk measures with comonotonic subadditivity or convexity on product spaces

In this paper, by an axiomatic approach, we propose the concepts of comonotonic subadditivity and comonotonic convex risk measures for portfolios, which are extensions of the ones introduced by Song and Yan(2006)Representation results for these new introduced risk measures for portfolios are given in terms of Choquet integralsLinks of these newly introduced risk measures to multi-period comonotonic risk measures are representedFinally, applications of the newly introduced comonotonic coherent risk measures to capital allocations are provided.     

Worst allocations of policy limits and deductibles

In the literature, orderings of optimal allocations of policy limits and deductibles were established with respect to a policyholder’s preference. However, from the viewpoint of an insurer, the orderings are not enough for the purpose of pricing. In this paper, by applying the equivalent utility premium principle, we study worst allocations of policy limits and deductibles for an insurer, which give rise to the maximum fair premiums. Closed-form solutions are derived. Then we present a result concerning the optimality in a general risk-sharing scheme, by which we obtain optimal allocations for policyholders directly from worst allocations for an insurer. Several results in Cheung [Cheung, K.C., 2007. Optimal allocation of policy limits and deductibles. Insurance Math. Econom. 41, 382–391] are generalized here.     

Robust static hedging of barrier options in stochastic volatility models

Static hedge portfolios for barrier options are extremely sensitive with respect to changes of the volatility surface. In this paper we develop a semi-infinite programming formulation of the static super-replication problem in stochastic volatility models which allows to robustify the hedge against model parameter uncertainty in the sense of a worst case design. From a financial point of view this robustness guarantees the hedge performance for an infinite number of future volatility surface scenarios including volatility shocks and changes of the skew. After proving existence of such robust hedge portfolios and presenting an algorithm to numerically solve the underlying optimization problem, we apply the approach to a detailed example. Surprisingly, the optimal robust portfolios are only marginally more expensive than the barrier option itself.     

A stochastic programming model using an endogenously determined worst case risk measure for dynamic asset allocation

We present a new approach to asset allocation with transaction costs. A multiperiod stochastic linear programming model is developed where the risk is based on the worst case payoff that is endogenously determined by the model that balances expected return and risk. Utilizing portfolio protection and dynamic hedging, an investment portfolio similar to an option-like payoff structure on the initial investment portfolio is characterized. The relative changes in the expected terminal wealth, worst case payoff, and risk aversion, are studied theoretically and illustrated using a numerical example. This model dominates a static mean-variance model when the optimal portfolios are evaluated by the Sharpe ratio. Received: August 15, 1999 / Accepted: October 1, 2000?Published online December 15, 2000     

Variance vs downside risk: Is there really that much difference?

The popularity of downside risk among investors is growing and mean return–downside risk portfolio selection models seem to oppress the familiar mean–variance approach. The reason for the success of the former models is that they separate return fluctuations into downside risk and upside potential. This is especially relevant for asymmetrical return distributions, for which mean–variance models punish the upside potential in the same fashion as the downside risk.The paper focuses on the differences and similarities between using variance or a downside risk measure, both from a theoretical and an empirical point of view. We first discuss the theoretical properties of different downside risk measures and the corresponding mean–downside risk models. Against common beliefs, we show that from the large family of downside risk measures, only a few possess better theoretical properties within a return–risk framework than the variance. On the empirical side, we analyze the differences between some US asset allocation portfolios based on variances and downside risk measures. Among other things, we find that the downside risk approach tends to produce – on average – slightly higher bond allocations than the mean–variance approach. Furthermore, we take a closer look at estimation risk, viz. the effect of sampling error in expected returns and risk measures on portfolio composition. On the basis of simulation analyses, we find that there are marked differences in the degree of estimation accuracy, which calls for further research.     

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.     

Optimal capital allocations to interdependent actuarial risks

This paper further studies the capital allocation concerning mutually interdependent random risks. In the context of exchangeable random risks, we establish that risk-averse insurers incline to evenly distribute the total capital among multiple risks. For risk-averse insurers with decreasing convex loss functions, we prove that more capital should be allocated to the risk with the larger reversed hazard rate when risks are coupled by an Archimedean copula. Also, sufficient conditions are developed to exclude the worst capital allocations for random risks with some specific Archimedean copulas.     

Allocation of risks and equilibrium in markets with finitely many traders

The optimal risk allocation problem, equivalently the optimal risk sharing problem, in a market with n traders endowed with risk measures ?₁,…,?_n is a classical problem in insurance and mathematical finance. This problem however only makes sense under a condition motivated from game theory which is called Pareto equilibrium. There are many situations of practical interest, where this condition does not hold. This is the case if the risk measures are based on essential different views towards risk. In this paper we introduce and analyze a meaningful extension of the optimal risk allocation (risk sharing) problem without assuming the equilibrium condition. The main point of this is to introduce a suitable and well motivated restriction on the class of admissible allocations which prevents effects of artificial ‘risk arbitrage’. As a result we obtain a new coherent risk measure which describes the inherent risk which remains after using admissible risk exchange in an optimal way.     

Dynamic style analysis of Spanish balanced pension plans: A Bayesian approach

This paper is focused on the dynamic allocations of Spanish balanced pension plans that invest predominantly in Euro‐zone equities. Applying a Bayesian method to a return‐based style analysis that includes the constraints of the strong version and time‐varying exposures, we provide evidence for no statistically significant changes over time in the main strategic asset allocations, namely, equity assets, long‐term debt and cash allocations. However, we find time‐varying selection abilities, indicating that the value added by managers is not the same over time. Although the investment style tends to be constant in each pension plan, these allocations are variable across plans which allow us to find different subsets of portfolios that present different mean returns and volatilities. Some pension plan features, such as size and type of financial institution that manages the portfolio, have been considered in trying to find concurrent characteristics in each subset. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Tail subadditivity of distortion risk measures and multivariate tail distortion risk measures

In this paper, we extend the concept of tail subadditivity (Belles-Sampera et al., 2014a; Belles-Sampera et al., 2014b) for distortion risk measures and give sufficient and necessary conditions for a distortion risk measure to be tail subadditive. We also introduce the generalized GlueVaR risk measures, which can be used to approach any coherent distortion risk measure. To further illustrate the applications of the tail subadditivity, we propose multivariate tail distortion (MTD) risk measures and generalize the multivariate tail conditional expectation (MTCE) risk measure introduced by Landsman et al. (2016). The properties of multivariate tail distortion risk measures, such as positive homogeneity, translation invariance, monotonicity, and subadditivity, are discussed as well. Moreover, we discuss the applications of the multivariate tail distortion risk measures in capital allocations for a portfolio of risks and explore the impacts of the dependence between risks in a portfolio and extreme tail events of a risk portfolio in capital allocations.     

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.     

An exact solution to a robust portfolio choice problem with multiple risk measures under ambiguous distribution

This paper proposes a unified framework to solve distributionally robust mean-risk optimization problem that simultaneously uses variance, value-at-risk (VaR) and conditional value-at-risk (CVaR) as a triple-risk measure. It provides investors with more flexibility to find portfolios in the sense that it allows investors to optimize a return-risk profile in the presence of estimation error. We derive a closed-form expression for the optimal portfolio strategy to the robust mean-multiple risk portfolio selection model under distribution and mean return ambiguity (RMP). Specially, the robust mean-variance, robust maximum return, robust minimum VaR and robust minimum CVaR efficient portfolios are all special instances of RMP portfolios. We analytically and numerically show that the resulting portfolio weight converges to the minimum variance portfolio when the level of ambiguity aversion is in a high value. Using numerical experiment with simulated data, we demonstrate that our robust portfolios under ambiguity are more stable over time than the non-robust portfolios.     

On value preserving and growth optimal portfolios

In a discrete-time financial market setting, the paper relates various concepts introduced for dynamic portfolios (both in discrete and in continuous time). These concepts are: value preserving portfolios, numeraire portfolios, interest oriented portfolios, and growth optimal portfolios. It will turn out that these concepts are all associated with a unique martingale measure which agrees with the minimal martingale measure only for complete markets.     

Average Case Complexity of Multivariate Integration for Smooth Functions

We study the average case complexity of multivariate integration for the class of smooth functions equipped with the folded Wiener sheet measure. The complexity is derived by reducing this problem to multivariate integration in the worst case setting but for a different space of functions. Fully constructive optimal information and an optimal algorithm are presented. Next, fully constructive almost optimal information and an almost optimal algorithm are also presented which have some advantages for practical implementation.