scholarly journals Households' Portfolio Diversification

2010 ◽  
pp. 117-143
Author(s):  
Tullio Jappelli ◽  
Christian Julliard ◽  
Marco Pagano

This paper performs an efficiency analysis of households portfolios based on the comparison of observed portfolios with the mean-variance frontier of assets returns. Data on household portfolios are drawn from a representative sample of the Italian population with at least a bank account. We find that most households' portfolios are extremely close to the efficient frontier once we explicitly take into account no short-selling constraints, while the null hypothesis of efficiency is rejected for all portfolios if we don't consider these constraints.

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui-qiang Ma ◽  
Meng Wu ◽  
Nan-jing Huang

We consider a continuous-time mean-variance asset-liability management problem in a market with random market parameters; that is, interest rate, appreciation rates, and volatility rates are considered to be stochastic processes. By using the theories of stochastic linear-quadratic (LQ) optimal control and backward stochastic differential equations (BSDEs), we tackle this problem and derive optimal investment strategies as well as the mean-variance efficient frontier analytically in terms of the solution of BSDEs. We find that the efficient frontier is still a parabola in a market with random parameters. Comparing with the existing results, we also find that the liability does not affect the feasibility of the mean-variance portfolio selection problem. However, in an incomplete market with random parameters, the liability can not be fully hedged.


Mathematics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 1915
Author(s):  
William Lefebvre ◽  
Grégoire Loeper ◽  
Huyên Pham

This paper studies a variation of the continuous-time mean-variance portfolio selection where a tracking-error penalization is added to the mean-variance criterion. The tracking error term penalizes the distance between the allocation controls and a reference portfolio with same wealth and fixed weights. Such consideration is motivated as follows: (i) On the one hand, it is a way to robustify the mean-variance allocation in the case of misspecified parameters, by “fitting" it to a reference portfolio that can be agnostic to market parameters; (ii) On the other hand, it is a procedure to track a benchmark and improve the Sharpe ratio of the resulting portfolio by considering a mean-variance criterion in the objective function. This problem is formulated as a McKean–Vlasov control problem. We provide explicit solutions for the optimal portfolio strategy and asymptotic expansions of the portfolio strategy and efficient frontier for small values of the tracking error parameter. Finally, we compare the Sharpe ratios obtained by the standard mean-variance allocation and the penalized one for four different reference portfolios: equal-weights, minimum-variance, equal risk contributions and shrinking portfolio. This comparison is done on a simulated misspecified model, and on a backtest performed with historical data. Our results show that in most cases, the penalized portfolio outperforms in terms of Sharpe ratio both the standard mean-variance and the reference portfolio.


2013 ◽  
Vol 869-870 ◽  
pp. 581-592
Author(s):  
Mauro Arnesano ◽  
Antonio Paolo Carlucci ◽  
Giovanni D'Oria ◽  
Alessio Guadalupi ◽  
Domenico Laforgia

The energy planning based on Mean - Variance theory, guides the investors in investment decisions, trying to maximize the return and minimize the risk of investment. However, this theory is based on strong hypotheses and, in addition, input data are often affected by estimation errors. Moreover, this theory determines poor diversification increasing return and risk of the portfolio, and strong variability of the outputs when inputs are varied.In the first part of the paper, the Mean - Variance theory was applied to the energy generation in Italy; in particular, the analysis was on the actual energy mix, but also assuming the use of nuclear technology and taking into account verisimilar improvement, of technologies in the future.On the other hand, in the second part of the paper, a methodology has been applied in order to limit the problems of Mean-Variance theory applied to the energy mix settlement. In particular, the input variables have been calculated using Monte Carlo simulation, in order to reduce the estimation error, and the Resampled EfficiencyTMtechnique has been applied in order to calculate the resulting new “average” efficient frontier. This methodology has been applied either not limiting or limiting the minimum and maximum percentage for every energy generation technology, in order to simulate constraints due, for example, to the technological characteristics of the plant, the availability of the sources and eventually to norms, to the territorial characteristics and to the socio-political choices. The application of Mean - Variance theory allowed to obtain energy portfolio, alternative to the actual, characterized by higher values of expected returns an lower values of risk.It was also shown that the application of the Resampled EfficiencyTMtechnique with data originated with the Monte Carlo simulation effectively tackles the problems of Mean - Variance theory; in this way, the decision maker is helped in making decisions in the energy system policy and development.Thanks to this approach, applied in particular to the Italian energy contest, it was also possible to evaluate the effectiveness of the introduced modifications to the Italian actual energy mix to achieve the 2020 European Energy Directive targets in particular concerning the reduction of CO2levels.


2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 98-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Omid Momen ◽  
Akbar Esfahanipour ◽  
Abbas Seifi

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop a prescriptive portfolio selection (PPS) model based on a compromise between the idea of “fast” and “slow” thinking proposed by Kahneman. Design/methodology/approach“Fast” thinking is effortless and comfortable for investors, while “slow” thinking may result in better performance. These two systems are related to the first two types of analysis in the decision theory: descriptive, normative and prescriptive analysis. However, to compromise between “fast” and “slow” thinking, “overconfidence” is used as a weighting parameter. A case study including a sample of 161 active investors in Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE) is provided. Moreover, the feasibility and optimality of the model are discussed. FindingsResults show that the PPS recommendations are efficient with a shift from the mean-variance efficient frontier; investors prefer PPS portfolios over the advisor recommendations; and investors have no significant preference between PPS and their own expectations. Research limitations/implicationsTwo assumptions of this study include: first, investors follow their “fast” system of thinking by themselves. Second, the investors’ “slow” system of thinking is represented by advisor recommendations which are simple expected value of risk and return. Therefore, considering these two assumptions for any application is the main limitation of this study. Moreover, the authors did not have access to more investors in TSE or other financial markets. Originality/valueThis is the first study that includes overconfidence in modeling portfolio selection for the purpose of achieving a portfolio that has a reasonable performance and one that investors are comfortable with.


2013 ◽  
Vol 380-384 ◽  
pp. 4409-4412
Author(s):  
Peng Zhang ◽  
Jing Yi Zhou

The mean semi-absolute deviation is the extension and development from the mean-variance theory which proposed by Markowitz. This paper studied the Mean-SAD (semi-variance deviation) model without the short selling and used the Chinese securities markets 20 stocks to test the efficient of the model. We got the conclusion that M-SAD model can effectively direct the decision in portfolio selection. Based on the result of the empirical research, the paper prospects the application of M-SAD model in our country.


2002 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 357-366
Author(s):  
R. A. Somerville ◽  
Paul G. J. O'connell

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Hui-qiang Ma

We consider a continuous-time mean-variance portfolio selection model when stock price follows the constant elasticity of variance (CEV) process. The aim of this paper is to derive an optimal portfolio strategy and the efficient frontier. The mean-variance portfolio selection problem is formulated as a linearly constrained convex program problem. By employing the Lagrange multiplier method and stochastic optimal control theory, we obtain the optimal portfolio strategy and mean-variance efficient frontier analytically. The results show that the mean-variance efficient frontier is still a parabola in the mean-variance plane, and the optimal strategies depend not only on the total wealth but also on the stock price. Moreover, some numerical examples are given to analyze the sensitivity of the efficient frontier with respect to the elasticity parameter and to illustrate the results presented in this paper. The numerical results show that the price of risk decreases as the elasticity coefficient increases.


2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 410-424 ◽  
Author(s):  
David John Bradfield ◽  
Brian Munro

 Regulation 28 of the Pension Funds Act now permits an increased allocation of 25 per cent to foreign investments. The regulation previously only permitted a 20 per cent allocation. Establishing the optimal foreign allocation for South African portfolio managers given the 25 per cent upper bound is an important consideration for strategic portfolio planning. In this paper we consider two methodological approaches to establish a strategic foreign allocation weight. Our first approach considers the strategic role of foreign investment in South African global balanced portfolios by using a mean-variance efficient frontier framework over a long-term period. We also implement a second assessment methodology that utilises a nonparametric procedure. Both the mean-variance and the non-parametric methodology yield compelling evidence for the foreign allocation to be set at the maximum allowable bound of 25 per cent.


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