Optimal Portfolios from Ordering Information

62 Pages Posted: 25 Dec 2004

See all articles by Robert Almgren

Robert Almgren

University of Toronto - Department of Mathematics

Neil A Chriss

Hutchin Hill Capital

Date Written: December 2004

Abstract

Modern portfolio theory produces optimal portfolios from estimates of expected returns and a covariance matrix. Such optimal portfolios are efficient portfolios, that is they provide the maximum level of expected return for a given level of risk. We present a method for portfolio selection based on replacing expected returns with ordering information, that is, with information about the order of the expected returns. Such information may arise in a variety of ways including from firm characteristics or past price history. We extend Markowitz' notion of an efficient portfolio by introducing a preference relation on the set of possible portfolios and defining an efficient portfolio as one which is most preferable among those with a given level of risk. The preference relation we define is simple and economically rational. The optimal portfolios thus derived are theoretically superior all other possible portfolios and return Markowitz optimal portfolios in the case where expected returns are known. We provide efficient numerical algorithms for constructing optimal portfolios within this framework. The formulation is very general and works equally well in cases where assets are divided into multiple sectors or where there are multiple sorting criteria. Using both real and simulated data, we demonstrate that not only are the methods herein theoretically superior but in practice they produce dramatic improvement over simpler portfolio construction techniques.

Keywords: Portfolio Selection, Firm Characteristics, Modern Portfolio Theory, Optimal Portfolios, Portfolio, Optimal, Characteristics, Markowitz, CAPM, Capital Asset Pricing Model, Portfolio Choice

JEL Classification: C00, C60, C61, C63, G11, G00, G1, G10, G12

Suggested Citation

Almgren, Robert and Chriss, Neil A., Optimal Portfolios from Ordering Information (December 2004). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=633801 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.633801

Robert Almgren (Contact Author)

University of Toronto - Department of Mathematics ( email )

Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G3
Canada

Neil A. Chriss

Hutchin Hill Capital ( email )

142 West 57th Street
New York, NY 10019
United States