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.     

Multi-period portfolio selection problem under uncertain environment with bankruptcy constraint

The complexity of financial markets leads to different types of indeterminate asset returns. For example, asset returns are considered as random variables, when the available data is enough. When the available data is too small or even no available data to estimate a probability distribution, we have to invite some domain experts to evaluate the belief degrees of asset returns. Then, asset returns can be described as uncertain variables. In this paper, we discuss a multi-period portfolio selection problem under uncertain environment, which maximizes the final wealth and minimizes the risk of investment. Unlike the common method to describe the multi-period portfolio selection problem as a bi-objective optimization model, we formulate this uncertain multi-period portfolio selection problem by a new method in three steps with two single objective optimization models. And, we consider the influence of transaction cost and bankruptcy of investor. Then, the proposed uncertain optimization models are transformed into the corresponding crisp optimization models and we use the genetic algorithm combined with penalty function method to solve them. Finally, a numerical example is given to show the effectiveness and practicability of proposed models and method.     

A possibilistic mean-semivariance-entropy model for multi-period portfolio selection with transaction costs

This paper deals with a multi-period portfolio selection problem with fuzzy returns. A possibilistic mean-semivariance-entropy model for multi-period portfolio selection is presented by taking into account four criteria viz., return, risk, transaction cost and diversification degree of portfolio. In the proposed model, the return level is quantified by the possibilistic mean value of return, the risk level is characterized by the lower possibilistic semivariance of return, and the diversification degree of portfolio is measured by the originally presented possibilistic entropy. Furthermore, a hybrid intelligent algorithm is designed to obtain the optimal portfolio strategy. Finally, the comparison analysis between the possibilistic entropy model and the proportion entropy model is provided by two numerical examples to illustrate the efficiency of the proposed approaches and the designed algorithm.     

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.     

A review of credibilistic portfolio selection

This paper reviews the credibilistic portfolio selection approaches which deal with fuzzy portfolio selection problem based on credibility measure. The reason for choosing credibility measure is given. Several mathematical definitions of risk of an investment in the portfolio are introduced. Some credibilistic portfolio selection models are presented, including mean-risk model, mean-variance model, mean-semivariance model, credibility maximization model, α-return maximization model, entropy optimization model and game models. A hybrid intelligent algorithm for solving the optimization models is documented. In addition, as extensions of credibilistic portfolio selection approaches, the paper also gives a brief review of some hybrid portfolio selection models.     

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.     

Portfolio selection based on fuzzy cross-entropy

In this paper, the Kapur cross-entropy minimization model for portfolio selection problem is discussed under fuzzy environment, which minimizes the divergence of the fuzzy investment return from a priori one. First, three mathematical models are proposed by defining divergence as cross-entropy, average return as expected value and risk as variance, semivariance and chance of bad outcome, respectively. In order to solve these models under fuzzy environment, a hybrid intelligent algorithm is designed by integrating numerical integration, fuzzy simulation and genetic algorithm. Finally, several numerical examples are given to illustrate the modeling idea and the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.     

Mean-risk model for uncertain portfolio selection

This paper discusses the uncertain portfolio selection problem when security returns cannot be well reflected by historical data. It is proposed that uncertain variable should be used to reflect the experts’ subjective estimation of security returns. Regarding the security returns as uncertain variables, the paper introduces a risk curve and develops a mean-risk model. In addition, the crisp form of the model is provided. The presented numerical examples illustrate the application of the mean-risk model and show the disaster result of mistreating uncertain returns as random returns.     

Forecasting portfolio returns using weighted fuzzy time series methods

We propose using weighted fuzzy time series (FTS) methods to forecast the future performance of returns on portfolios. We model the uncertain parameters of the fuzzy portfolio selection models using a possibilistic interval-valued mean approach, and approximate the uncertain future return on a given portfolio by means of a trapezoidal fuzzy number. Introducing some modifications into the classical models of fuzzy time series, based on weighted operators, enables us to generate trapezoidal numbers as forecasts of the future performance of the portfolio returns. This fuzzy forecast makes it possible to approximate both the expected return and the risk of the investment through the value and ambiguity of a fuzzy number.We incorporate our proposals into classical fuzzy time series methods and analyze their effectiveness compared with classical weighted fuzzy time series models, using historical returns on assets from the Spanish stock market. When our weighted FTS proposals are used to point-wise forecast portfolio returns the one-step ahead accuracy is improved, also with respect to non-fuzzy forecasting methods.     

Robust optimization and portfolio selection: The cost of robustness

Robust optimization is a tractable alternative to stochastic programming particularly suited for problems in which parameter values are unknown, variable and their distributions are uncertain. We evaluate the cost of robustness for the robust counterpart to the maximum return portfolio optimization problem. The uncertainty of asset returns is modelled by polyhedral uncertainty sets as opposed to the earlier proposed ellipsoidal sets. We derive the robust model from a min-regret perspective and examine the properties of robust models with respect to portfolio composition. We investigate the effect of different definitions of the bounds on the uncertainty sets and show that robust models yield well diversified portfolios, in terms of the number of assets and asset weights.     

A risk index model for portfolio selection with returns subject to experts’ estimations

Portfolio selection is concerned with selecting an optimal portfolio that can strike a balance between maximizing the return and minimizing the risk among a large number of securities. Traditionally, security returns were regarded as random variables. However, there are cases that the predictions of security returns are given mainly based on experts’ judgements and estimations rather than historical data. In this paper, we introduce a new type of variable to reflect the subjective estimations of the security returns. A risk index for uncertain portfolio selection is proposed and a new safe criterion for judging the portfolio investment is introduced. Based on the proposed risk index, a new mean-risk index model is developed and its crisp forms are given. In addition, to illustrate the application of the model, two numerical examples are also presented.     

Portfolio selection with a new definition of risk

In the field of portfolio selection, variance, semivariance and probability of an adverse outcome are three best-known mathematical definitions of risk. Lots of models were built to minimize risk based on these definitions. This paper gives a new definition of risk for portfolio selection and proposes a new type of model based on this definition. In addition, a hybrid intelligent algorithm is employed to solve the optimization problem in general cases. One numerical example is also presented for the sake of illustration.     

Capacitated location allocation problem with stochastic location and fuzzy demand: A hybrid algorithm

In this article, a capacitated location allocation problem is considered in which the demands and the locations of the customers are uncertain. The demands are assumed fuzzy, the locations follow a normal probability distribution, and the distances between the locations and the customers are taken Euclidean and squared Euclidean. The fuzzy expected cost programming, the fuzzy β-cost minimization model, and the credibility maximization model are three types of fuzzy programming that are developed to model the problem. Moreover, two closed-form Euclidean and squared Euclidean expressions are used to evaluate the expected distance between customers and facilities. In order to solve the problem at hand, a hybrid intelligent algorithm is applied in which the simplex algorithm, fuzzy simulation, and a modified genetic algorithm are integrated. Finally, in order to illustrate the efficiency of the proposed hybrid algorithm, some numerical examples are presented.     

基于可信性安全准则的模糊动态投资组合模型

研究了模糊环境下的动态投资组合模型,将证券的收益率描述为模糊变量,提出了基于可信性测度的安全准则,可信性安全准则反映了投资者对灾难事件的容忍水平.建立了基于可信性安全准则的模糊动态投资组合模型,对建立的模型设计了基于模糊模拟的混合智能算法进行求解,并在Visual C++环境下,用C语言实现了对实例的求解,证明了混合智能算法的有效性和合理性.     

Probability maximization models for portfolio selection under ambiguity

This paper considers several probability maximization models for multi-scenario portfolio selection problems in the case that future returns in possible scenarios are multi-dimensional random variables. In order to consider occurrence probabilities and decision makers’ predictions with respect to all scenarios, a portfolio selection problem setting a weight with flexibility to each scenario is proposed. Furthermore, by introducing aspiration levels to occurrence probabilities or future target profit and maximizing the minimum aspiration level, a robust portfolio selection problem is considered. Since these problems are formulated as stochastic programming problems due to the inclusion of random variables, they are transformed into deterministic equivalent problems introducing chance constraints based on the stochastic programming approach. Then, using a relation between the variance and absolute deviation of random variables, our proposed models are transformed into linear programming problems and efficient solution methods are developed to obtain the global optimal solution. Furthermore, a numerical example of a portfolio selection problem is provided to compare our proposed models with the basic model.     

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.     

Robust portfolio selection involving options under a “ marginal+joint ” ellipsoidal uncertainty set

In typical robust portfolio selection problems, one mainly finds portfolios with the worst-case return under a given uncertainty set, in which asset returns can be realized. A too large uncertainty set will lead to a too conservative robust portfolio. However, if the given uncertainty set is not large enough, the realized returns of resulting portfolios will be outside of the uncertainty set when an extreme event such as market crash or a large shock of asset returns occurs. The goal of this paper is to propose robust portfolio selection models under so-called “ marginal+joint” ellipsoidal uncertainty set and to test the performance of the proposed models. A robust portfolio selection model under a “marginal + joint” ellipsoidal uncertainty set is proposed at first. The model has the advantages of models under the separable uncertainty set and the joint ellipsoidal uncertainty set, and relaxes the requirements on the uncertainty set. Then, one more robust portfolio selection model with option protection is presented by combining options into the proposed robust portfolio selection model. Convex programming approximations with second-order cone and linear matrix inequalities constraints to both models are derived. The proposed robust portfolio selection model with options can hedge risks and generates robust portfolios with well wealth growth rate when an extreme event occurs. Tests on real data of the Chinese stock market and simulated options confirm the property of both the models. Test results show that (1) under the “ marginal+joint” uncertainty set, the wealth growth rate and diversification of robust portfolios generated from the first proposed robust portfolio model (without options) are better and greater than those generated from Goldfarb and Iyengar’s model, and (2) the robust portfolio selection model with options outperforms the robust portfolio selection model without options when some extreme event occurs.     

Mean-chance model for portfolio selection based on uncertain measure

This paper discusses a portfolio selection problem in which security returns are given by experts’ evaluations instead of historical data. A factor method for evaluating security returns based on experts’ judgment is proposed and a mean-chance model for optimal portfolio selection is developed taking transaction costs and investors’ preference on diversification and investment limitations on certain securities into account. The factor method of evaluation can make good use of experts’ knowledge on the effects of economic environment and the companies’ unique characteristics on security returns and incorporate the contemporary relationship of security returns in the portfolio. The use of chance of portfolio return failing to reach the threshold can help investors easily tell their tolerance toward risk and thus facilitate a decision making. To solve the proposed nonlinear programming problem, a genetic algorithm is provided. To illustrate the application of the proposed method, a numerical example is also presented.     

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 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.