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I have few questions about classic mean-variance-optimization in general. I have a series daily returns of 15 assets and I want to combine these assets in a portfolio.

1) Do you think that 1 year of historical data is enough to estimate reliable estimators for the true mean and variances (I.e. sample mean and sample variance) or should I go for 3 years?

2) Is it possible to estimate the GMV and mean-variance portfolios with excess returns or is that only allowed for the Max. Sharpe Ratio portfolio?

Thanks for your help! Thomas

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1) To be honest, any horizon is problematic in this respect. Simple sampling statistics 101 will tell you that the standard error around any estimate of true mean returns is the root time * variance. So for eg stocks at 20 vol, that's a +/-40% 1y 95% confidence interval around your sample mean ;-) With 100 years of data, that's still +/-4%! Which is in-line all too many estimates of the equity risk premium...

The problem here is as much as methodology as your sample, because the classic problem with the mean-variance optimisation approach from the get-go is that is hugely sensitive to the input assumptions. A couple of percent different on the returns and you get a very different portfolio output suggested.

Volatility and correlation regimes also shift over time; but in a sense, that makes it more OK to use shorter-term assumptions for these than for the returns. Because it's more likely their recent behaviour reflects the current paradigm; and these often do stick around for a while.

2) It's easy to calculate the GMV portfolio. It's simply the Max-Sharpe Portfolio if you assume equal returns across all your assets. Then MinVar becomes MaxSharpe! Likewise, assume returns proportional to volatility (ie equal Sharpe across your assets), and Max Diversification becomes MaxSharpe. Seen from the other side, Max Sharpe using last 12m returns is nothing more than a "long Momentum" portfolio.

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  • $\begingroup$ the standard error around any estimate of true mean returns is the root time * variance does not sound correct. $\endgroup$ Dec 21, 2021 at 18:18

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