Questions tagged [mean-variance]
The mean-variance tag has no usage guidance.
44
questions with no upvoted or accepted answers
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Formula for the efficient portfolios in mean-variance optimisation?
Consider the setting of mean-variance portfolio optimisation: $n$ assets with expected returns $\overline{r}_1,...,\overline{r}_n$ and standard deviations $\sigma_1,...\sigma_n$.
For a certain fixed $\...
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How good is the inverse-volatility portfolio?
Heuristic portfolio construction techniques include the equally-weighted portfolio (1/N) and the inverse volatility portfolio (IVP), which is based on the low-volatility effect. They can be assembled ...
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Analyzing the angle between vector of weights and vector of returns in mean-variance optimization
I am using the paper "A Sharper Angle on Optimization" by Golts and Jones (2009) as a basis for my (minor) masters thesis in mathematical finance. The paper focuses on the mean-variance analysis of ...
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Evaluating estimate of covariance matrix
I am testing out different methods / shrinkages to estimate a covariance matrix and I am wondering what is the best method of comparing the estimated covariance matrix to the true covariance matrix (...
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Why is the dynamic mean-variance problem time-inconsistent?
A lot of the literature in dynamic mean-variance problem states that the dynamic mean-variance problem is time-inconsistent. Now I was not able to find an example of why the problem is time ...
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Modelling log-returns and calculating the portfolio return
I know this might be a trivial question, however, I would be grateful for some clarification. I am working on weekly log-return data, doing volatility-foracasting using GARCH models and then using ...
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Finding mean vector and covariance matrix for annual returns given quarterly returns
I am currently trying to calculate a vector for the mean annual returns of 4 different asset classes along with their 4x4 covariance matrix in excel. However, I am having problems since the data I ...
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Naive Diversification under mean variance
I'm looking for a way to introduce naive diversification bias in a mean variance framework and had the idea to model it as some sort of "aversion to extreme portfolio weights" of the ...
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James-Stein estimator for superior estimates of returns in m.v. portfolio optimization
I am currently learning about statistical techniques to enhance the estimation of input parameters in a m.v. optimization. Specifically I have some doubts about the James-Stein estimator applied as an ...
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Can variance change over time?
I'm working on a toy project that involves fantasy basketball, I know this is the quantitative finance stackexchange, but it seemed like the best place to ask this question.
My goal is to make ...
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Mean Variance Optimization vs Risk Scaling
What would be the difference between the following. Both techniques will result is an ex-ante risk of $\sigma$. However, that would be achieved via two different values of h. I want to understand ...
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In sample and out of sample in Mean Variance Optimization
Hello to everyone and thanks again for your help, i have find this forum really helpful while working on my final dissertation.
However I'm here again because I have loads of doubts regarding the in-...
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Mean-Variance portfolio: How do I compute the variance when the portfolio is normalized
Let's consider the very basic of a Mean-Variance Portfolio:
$$
\text{max}_{x}
(1-\lambda)\sum_i^n\mu_ix_i-\lambda\sum_i^n\sum_j^n x_i Q_{ij}x_j
$$
$$\text{ s.t. }\sum_i^nx_i=1 \text{ , } x_i \geq ...
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2
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Trouble computing the VaR for Student's t-distribution for a minimum-variance portfolio composed of four cryptocurrencies (BTC, ETH, LTC, and XMR)
I have modelled the time-series of daily log-returns from August 2015 to October 2017 of a minimum-variance portfolio composed of four cryptocurrencies (BTC, ETH, LTC, XMR) by fitting the data to four ...
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Relation between mean and variance of a portfolio in modern portfolio theory:
I hope that this is the right place to ask my question!
Let a market with $N\ge1$ risky assets and denote by $(R_i,i=1,\cdots, N)$ their returns and $R$ the vector of these $N$ returns. In addition, ...
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Robust estimates of variance covariance matrix
I am looking for help from other people with experience creating variance covariance matrix that have enough predictive power to actually lower portfolio volatility out of sample.
Using real world ...
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Alternative form of mean-variance optimization that uses standard deviation
I'm curious about an exercise found in Optimization Methods in Finance. Exercise 8.2 (pg 143) explores a variant of the more commonly used form of MVO. When I refer to the more common variant I'm ...
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CVXOPT quadratic programming mean variance example
Trying to learn how to use CVXOPT to do quant finance optimization.
For the example given on page https://cvxopt.org/userguide/coneprog.html#quadratic-programming . I feel confused how this "S&...
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Prove norm $\frac{1}{p}\sum_{i=1}^n |w_i|^p$ of min-variance portfolio $\leq$ max-Sharpe portfolio
The minimum-variance portfolio weight vector is
$$\boldsymbol{w}_{MV} = \frac{\boldsymbol{\Sigma}^{-1} \boldsymbol{1} }{\boldsymbol{1}' \boldsymbol{\Sigma}^{-1} \boldsymbol{1}}$$
whereas the maximum ...
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Mathematical proof of out-of-sample disappointment in portfolio performance being a function of a portfolio's variance
The minimum-variance portfolio is considered more optimal than the maximum Sharpe ratio (tangency) portfolio on the grounds that its in-sample performance is less likely to disappoint out-of-sample.
...
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Selecting the best characteristic portfolio per rebalance date
An investor typically decides a portfolio objective and sticks with that objective for every rebalance date in the portfolio's life. Common characteristic portfolios that the investor chooses are:
...
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Mean Semivariance Optimization VS PMPT
Mean Semivariance optimization defines semivariance, variance only below the benchmark/required rate of return, as:
$(1/T).\sum_{t=1}^{T} [Min(R_{it}-B,0)]^2$
where $B$ is the benchmark rate, $R_{i}$...
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Stochastic discount factor for factor research
Often, after presenting a new factor technique, the paper calculates an SDF by doing $\Sigma ^{-1}\mu_F$ i.e. mean variance optimization on the factors. What is the significance of doing this ?
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Leverage constraints
I am trying to complete my project on Mean-Variance Leverage Optimization, and I have found lots of helpful advice on this forum.
I wanted to ask you if you have some idea on how to implement a ...
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Mean Variance Optimization of 2000 pairs of securities (Python)
I would like to take the opportunity to ask for your help on an assignment I'm trying to complete.
For this 'Modern Robo Advisory' course we are asked to solve a (target) goal-based investment ...
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"Porting" an alpha strategy to a different benchmark
I'm reading about the mean-variance optimization of active portfolios. A bit of prior background from the book I'm reading: the author discusses the mean-variance optimal portfolios without cash, ...
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How to hedge a MV portfolio against crises
I have constructed an adjusted Mean-Variance portfolio optimization method that optimizes the exposure in a set of X assets.
The portfolio works perfectly fine during normal periods (even when there ...
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Should the number of Markowitz Optimization steps be counted as backtest trials?
I'm backtesting a strategy that involves monthly investments in a few stocks out of a given set, that is, each month some of the stocks are shortlisted from an index and a long position is taken in ...
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Transform MPT optimization problem
I am trying to teach myself about MPT and optimization.
I understand that MPT solutions can be found using three equivalent optimization problems:
Minimizing variance for given return limit
...
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How to change the covariance matrix for a parallel-shift of the efficient frontier?
I'm trying to obtain a parallel shift in my efficient frontier based on the Merton 1972-parameters. As i think a picture tells you more than 1000 words here is what i tried:
The setting of my problem ...
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How to construct the behavioral efficient frontier
I just stumbled across an interesting chart in Meir Statman's book "Finance for Normal People" where he introduces his behavioral portfolio theory. There, he also provides the following ...
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If Kelly and tangent portfolios have the same weights, do they differ only empirically?
I studied Kelly portfolio and tangent portfolio and found that they have the same weights. But the empirical studies that I have seen so far show that Kelly portfolio has a smaller number of stocks ...
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Comparing the performance of portfolio optimization methods
I am trying to compare the performance of the compositions of a single portfolio determined by unconstrained mean variance optimization, minimum variance optimization (expected returns equal to 0 in ...
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Is this equation correct for portfolio optimization for CARA normal with N risky and one riskless asset?
Suppose the consumer Solves $\max -e^{-\gamma W}$ where $W=X^T D -X^Tp R_f$ where $X$ is the vector invested in a risky asset and $D\sim N(E[D],\Sigma^2_D)$ and $R=\sim N(E[R],\Sigma^2_R)$. Then ${ X=(...
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Tangency portfolio negative maximum Sharpe ratio
Suppose I have three assets: the market, factor A and factor B. The market is in excess returns of the risk free rate. The other two factors are long-short portfolios. I have net returns for these ...
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Index Tracking Problem
I have set up a mean variance optimization problem,
$$min:{W}^{\prime}{\Sigma_{\varepsilon}{W}}$$
$$s.t:{W}^{\prime}{\alpha}=R_B\;,\;\;W^{\prime}l={1},\;\;W'\beta=0,\;\;W'Z=\beta_p$$
where, $W$ is an (...
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Closed form solution for Mean-Variance optimization under constraint
Is there a closed form solution for the vector weight $w$ for the following mean-variance optimization problem?
$\max_w w'\mu - \frac{\gamma}{2}w'\Sigma w $
s.t.
$w'z\geq \bar{z}$
where $w, z$ are N ...
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Questions about Merton's derivation of the security market line
In Merton's "An Analytic Derivation of the Efficient Frontier" (PDF), he derives the security market line for the CAPM using the definition of the tangency portfolio. He writes:
Here, $m$ ...
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Black-Litterman for quant portfolio
I have seen a lot of research around the Black-Litterman approach and I think theoretically, it is a nice framework. However, it appears that its main strength is from a practitioner's point of view, ...
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Symbol for the feasible set of portfolios in mean-variance analysis?
When we optimize some mean-variance efficient portfolio, it lies on the efficient frontier (blue line) which is considered superior to the feasible set of portfolios. The feasible set (red dots), on ...
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Cover's universal portfolio vs. Markowitz's mean-variance model
Cover's universal portfolio maximizes the wealth growth rate
Markowitz's mean-variance model minimizes portfolio variance
Both allocate assets based on historical returns.
How do these two models ...
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Isn't portfolio optimization basically just feature selection?
Statistical learning has a large assortment of tools for conducting feature selection such as PCA analysis, ridge regression, LASSO, SVM and almost every other machine learning algorithm.
In portfolio ...
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Mean variance portfolio - alternative formulations
From this lecture on YouTube the lecturer states that there are three ways to form the mean variance portfolio (minimize variance for a given return, maximize return for a given variance, maximize a "...
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Units of Risk: Variance vs Standard Deviation
Suppose you are trading two mean-reverting assets, A and B, and that $Covar(A, B) > 0$. You are currently long one unit of A, and are considering buying one unit of B. Compared to the situation ...
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