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.     

Construction of a portfolio with shorter downside tail and longer upside tail

The purpose of this paper is to propose an algorithm for solving Rachev ratio optimization problem which is intended to construct a portfolio with shorter downside tail and longer upside tail. Moreover, we propose modified Rachev ratio to remove the theoretical flaw of Rachev ratio. Also, we will compare several portfolio models using the market data in Tokyo Stock Exchange. We believe that this paper is of interest to researchers and practitioners in the field of portfolio optimization.     

与TSD准则一致的组合证券投资分析

基于预先给定的目标收益率,利用投资者对低于目标收益率的风险损失和高于目标收益率的风险报酬之间的权衡,给出了一些非对称风险度量模型,特别其中一种风险度量是低于参考点的方差和高于参考点的方差的加权和,它利用二阶上偏矩来修正二阶下偏矩,进一步建立了在该非对称风险度量下的组合投资优化模型,并证明了该模型在三阶随机占优的意义下是有效的.此外,还给出了其它3个模型与三阶随机占优准则是否一致的结论,并对所给出的几个组合证券投资模型的求解方法及其应用进行了分析.以上研究和分析为投资者在选择投资模型时避免盲目性、任意性提供了有益的决策参考.     

Robust portfolio selection based on a multi-stage scenario tree

The aim of this paper is to apply the concept of robust optimization introduced by Bel-Tal and Nemirovski to the portfolio selection problems based on multi-stage scenario trees. The objective of our portfolio selection is to maximize an expected utility function value (or equivalently, to minimize an expected disutility function value) as in a classical stochastic programming problem, except that we allow for ambiguities to exist in the probability distributions along the scenario tree. We show that such a problem can be formulated as a finite convex program in the conic form, on which general convex optimization techniques can be applied. In particular, if there is no short-selling, and the disutility function takes the form of semi-variance downside risk, and all the parameter ambiguity sets are ellipsoidal, then the problem becomes a second order cone program, thus tractable. We use SeDuMi to solve the resulting robust portfolio selection problem, and the simulation results show that the robust consideration helps to reduce the variability of the optimal values caused by the parameter ambiguity.     

Robust portfolio selection based on asymmetric measures of variability of stock returns

This paper addresses a new uncertainty set—interval random uncertainty set for robust optimization. The form of interval random uncertainty set makes it suitable for capturing the downside and upside deviations of real-world data. These deviation measures capture distributional asymmetry and lead to better optimization results. We also apply our interval random chance-constrained programming to robust mean-variance portfolio selection under interval random uncertainty sets in the elements of mean vector and covariance matrix. Numerical experiments with real market data indicate that our approach results in better portfolio performance.     

A mixed 0–1 LP for index tracking problem with CVaR risk constraints

Index tracking problems are concerned in this paper. A CVaR risk constraint is introduced into general index tracking model to control the downside risk of tracking portfolios that consist of a subset of component stocks in given index. Resulting problem is a mixed 0?C1 and non-differentiable linear programming problem, and can be converted into a mixed 0?C1 linear program so that some existing optimization software such as CPLEX can be used to solve the problem. It is shown that adding the CVaR constraint will have no impact on the optimal tracking portfolio when the index has good (return increasing) performance, but can limit the downside risk of the optimal tracking portfolio when index has bad (return decreasing) performance. Numerical tests on Hang Seng index tracking and FTSE 100 index tracking show that the proposed index tracking model is effective in controlling the downside risk of the optimal tracking portfolio.     

Calculating risk neutral probabilities and optimal portfolio policies in a dynamic investment model with downside risk control

This paper presents a method for solving multiperiod investment models with downside risk control characterized by the portfolio’s worst outcome. The stochastic programming problem is decomposed into two subproblems: a nonlinear optimization model identifying the optimal terminal wealth distribution and a stochastic linear programming model replicating the identified optimal portfolio wealth. The replicating portfolio coincides with the optimal solution to the investor’s problem if the market is frictionless. The multiperiod stochastic linear programming model tests for the absence of arbitrage opportunities and its dual feasible solutions generate all risk neutral probability measures. When there are constraints such as liquidity or position requirements, the method yields approximate portfolio policies by minimizing the initial cost of the replication portfolio. A numerical example illustrates the difference between the replicating result and the optimal unconstrained portfolio.     

Portfolios with fuzzy returns: Selection strategies based on semi-infinite programming

This paper provides new models for portfolio selection in which the returns on securities are considered fuzzy numbers rather than random variables. The investor's problem is to find the portfolio that minimizes the risk of achieving a return that is not less than the return of a riskless asset. The corresponding optimal portfolio is derived using semi-infinite programming in a soft framework. The return on each asset and their membership functions are described using historical data. The investment risk is approximated by mean intervals which evaluate the downside risk for a given fuzzy portfolio. This approach is illustrated with a numerical example.     

双侧风险度量方法及其在投资组合优化模型中的应用

现有的资产风险度量方法不能合理的反映收益的向上波动给投资者带来的风险感受,针对这一不足,本文提出了一种新的风险度量方法,这一方法综合考虑了投资者对于损失的规避和对超额收益的偏好,能够更为真实的反映投资者对于资产收益双侧波动的不同风险感受.同时本文结合新的风险度量方法给出了投资组合优化模型,并对模型的解从不同角度进行了分析.研究结果表明,新的风险度量方法可以为投资者提供更有效的投资决策依据,并且投资者的风险态度对于投资组合有效前沿和最优投资组合都有显著的影响.     

A hybrid simulation/optimisation scenario model for asset/liability management

In this paper we desciibe a decision support model to sustain management of pension-funds in the strategic planning of the available asset- and liability policy instruments. A main characteristic of the approach is that the relevant risk-drivers are modelled by scenarios, rather than by probability distributions. We will describe the scenario generation methodology, and how the scenarios are used by pension-fund managers to simulate and improve asset/liability strategies until a strategy is identified which is agreed upon by all who carry responsibility for the pension-fund and her sponsors and trustees. Next, we will describe how this process of managerial learning can be improved by a hybrid simulation/optimisation method which applies concepts from the field of non-linear global optimisation to determine the asset-allocations which determine efficient frontiers of contribution rates and downside insolvency risks. We will conclude by showing that the application of the developed models to a particular pension-fund leads to the annulment of the infeasibility of the current asset/liability policy on the one hand, and to a reduction of the expected yearly contributions of US $100 million on the other.     

基于动态非线性损失厌恶的投资组合优化与实证研究

从行为金融学的角度考虑投资者损失厌恶的心理特征,构建了基于线性损失厌恶和非线性损失厌恶行为投资组合模型。利用中国市场数据模拟一种静态情景和四种动态情景,实证研究不同损失厌恶投资组合模型在不同情景下不同损失厌恶程度的最优资产配置策略和投资绩效表现,并将结果与均值方差模型等传统的投资组合模型进行比较。研究发现损失厌恶投资组合模型优于传统投资组合模型,不同情景下不同程度损失厌恶投资者具有不同的资产配置策略,其投资绩效表现也不尽相同。     

Portfolio Selection Problem with Minimax Type Risk Function

The investor's preference in risk estimation of portfolio selection problems is important as it influences investment strategies. In this paper a minimax risk criterion is considered. Specifically, the investor aims to restrict the standard deviation for each of the available stocks. The corresponding portfolio optimization problem is formulated as a linear program. Hence it can be implemented easily. A capital asset pricing model between the market portfolio and each individual return for this model is established using nonsmooth optimization methods. Some numerical examples are given to illustrate our approach for the risk estimation.     

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.     

一个非对称线性风险函数与证券组合投资分析

在分析Jia&D yer的风险-价值理论基础上,给出了一个基于预先给定的目标收益的非对称线性风险函数.该风险函数是低于参考点的离差和高于参考点的离差的加权和,它利用一阶"上偏矩"来修正一阶下偏矩,进一步建立了在此非对称风险函数下的线性规划证券投资组合模型;并证明了该模型与二阶随机占优准则的一致性;最后通过上海证券市场的实际数据验证了该模型的有效性和实用性.     

Financial scenario generation for stochastic multi-stage decision processes as facility location problems

The quality of multi-stage stochastic optimization models as they appear in asset liability management, energy planning, transportation, supply chain management, and other applications depends heavily on the quality of the underlying scenario model, describing the uncertain processes influencing the profit/cost function, such as asset prices and liabilities, the energy demand process, demand for transportation, and the like. A common approach to generate scenarios is based on estimating an unknown distribution and matching its moments with moments of a discrete scenario model. This paper demonstrates that the problem of finding valuable scenario approximations can be viewed as the problem of optimally approximating a given distribution with some distance function. We show that for Lipschitz continuous cost/profit functions it is best to employ the Wasserstein distance. The resulting optimization problem can be viewed as a multi-dimensional facility location problem, for which at least good heuristic algorithms exist. For multi-stage problems, a scenario tree is constructed as a nested facility location problem. Numerical convergence results for financial mean-risk portfolio selection conclude the paper.     

Stochastic optimization for allocation problems with shortfall risk constraints

One of the crucial aspects in asset allocation problems is the assumption concerning the probability distribution of asset returns. Financial managers generally suppose normal distribution, even if extreme realizations usually have an higher frequency than in the Gaussian case. The aim of this paper is to propose a general Monte Carlo simulation approach able to solve an asset allocation problem with shortfall constraint, and to evaluate the exact portfolio risk‐level when managers assume a misspecified return behaviour. We assume that returns are generated by a multivariate skewed Student‐t distribution where each marginal can have different degrees of freedom. The stochastic optimization allows us to value the effective risk for managers. In the empirical application we consider a symmetric and heterogeneous case, and interestingly note that a multivariate Student‐t with heterogeneous marginal distributions produces in the optimization problem a shortfall probability and a shortfall return level that can be adequately approximated by assuming a multivariate Student‐t with common degrees of freedom. Thus, the proposed simulation‐based approach could be an important instrument for investors who require a qualitative assessment of the reliability and sensitivity of their investment strategies in the case their models could be potentially misspecified. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Signed graphs for portfolio analysis in risk management

We introduce the notion of structural balance for signed graphsin the context of portfolio analysis. A portfolio of securitiescan be represented as a signed graph with the nodes denotingthe securities and the edges representing the correlation betweenthe securities. With signed graphs, the characteristics of aportfolio from a risk management perspective can be uncoveredfor analysis purposes. It is shown that a portfolio characterizedby a signed graph of positive and negative edges that is structurallybalanced is characteristically more predictable. Investors whoundertake a portfolio position with all positively correlatedsecurities do so with the intention to speculate on the upside(or downside). If the portfolio consists of negative edges andis balanced, then it is likely that the position has a hedgingdisposition within it. On the other hand, an unbalanced signedgraph is representative of an investment portfolio which ischaracteristically unpredictable.     

What do robust equity portfolio models really do?

Most of previous work on robust equity portfolio optimization has focused on its formulation and performance. In contrast, in this paper we analyze the behavior of robust equity portfolios to determine whether reducing the sensitivity to input estimation errors is all robust models do and investigate any side-effects of robust formulations. Therefore, our focus is on the relationship between fundamental factors and robust models in order to determine if robust equity portfolios are consistently investing more in the factors opposed to individual asset movements. To do so, we perform regressions with factor returns to explain how robust portfolios behave compared to portfolios generated from the Markowitz’s mean-variance model. We find that robust equity portfolios consistently show higher correlation with the three fundamental factors used in the Fama-French factor model. Furthermore, more robustness among robust portfolios results in a higher correlation with the Fama-French three factors. In fact, we show that as equity portfolios under no constraints on portfolio weights become more robust, they consistently depend more on the market and large factors. These results show that robust models are betting on the fundamental factors instead of individual asset movements.     

心理账户、损失厌恶与行为资产配置实证研究

基于前景理论和三参照点理论,建立了单心理账户和三心理账户下的线性损失厌恶行为投资组合模型,并利用中证基金指数数据构建了不同市场状态下的行为投资组合,实证研究不同损失厌恶系数、不同参照点、不同心理账户资金配置条件下模型的最优资产配置策略和投资组合绩效,研究发现线性损失厌恶模型更关注下侧损失,损失厌恶系数影响资产配置,注重安全性的投资者偏好低风险资产,而寻求实现抱负水平的投资者更偏好高收益资产。     

Robust portfolio optimization with derivative insurance guarantees

Robust portfolio optimization aims to maximize the worst-case portfolio return given that the asset returns are allowed to vary within a prescribed uncertainty set. If the uncertainty set is not too large, the resulting portfolio performs well under normal market conditions. However, its performance may substantially degrade in the presence of market crashes, that is, if the asset returns materialize far outside of the uncertainty set. We propose a novel robust optimization model for designing portfolios that include European-style options. This model trades off weak and strong guarantees on the worst-case portfolio return. The weak guarantee applies as long as the asset returns are realized within the prescribed uncertainty set, while the strong guarantee applies for all possible asset returns. The resulting model constitutes a convex second-order cone program, which is amenable to efficient numerical solution procedures. We evaluate the model using simulated and empirical backtests and analyze the impact of the insurance guarantees on the portfolio performance.