Second Investment Course – November 2005

Second Investment Course – November 2005 Topic Four: Portfolio Optimization: Analytical Techniques

Overview of the Portfolio Optimization Process • The preceding analysis demonstrates that it is possible for investors to reduce their risk exposure simply by holding in their portfolios a sufficiently large number of assets (or asset classes). This is the notion of naïve diversification, but as we have seen there is a limit to how much risk this process can remove. • Efficient diversification is the process of selecting portfolio holdings so as to: (i) minimize portfolio risk while (ii) achieving expected return objectives and, possibly, satisfying other constraints (e.g., no short sales allowed). Thus, efficient diversification is ultimately a constrained optimization problem. We will return to this topic in the next session. • Notice that simply minimizing portfolio risk without a specific return objective in mind (i.e., an unconstrained optimization problem) is seldom interesting to an investor. After all, in an efficient market, any riskless portfolio should just earn the risk-free rate, which the investor could obtain more cost-effectively with a T-bill purchase.

The Portfolio Optimization Process • As established by Nobel laureate Harry Markowitz in the 1950s, the efficient diversification approach to establishing an optimal set of portfolio investment weights (i.e., {wi}) can be seen as the solution to the following non-linear, constrained optimization problem: Select {wi} so as to minimize: subject to: (i) E(Rp) = R* (ii) S wi = 1 • The first constraint is the investor’s return goal (i.e., R*). The second constraint simply states that the total investment across all 'n' asset classes must equal 100%. (Notice that this constraint allows any of the wi to be negative; that is, short selling is permissible.) • Other constraints that are often added to this problem include: (i) All wi> 0 (i.e., no short selling), or (ii) All wi< P, where P is a fixed percentage

Solving the Portfolio Optimization Problem • In general, there are two approaches to solving for the optimal set of investment weights (i.e., {wi}) depending on the inputs the user chooses to specify: • Underlying Risk and Return Parameters: Asset class expected returns, standard deviations, correlations) • Analytical (i.e., closed-form) solution: “True” solution but sometimes difficult to implement and relatively inflexible at handling multiple portfolio constraints • Optimal search: Flexible design and easiest to implement, but does not always achieve true solution • Observed Portfolio Returns: Underlying asset class risk and return parameters estimated implicitly

The Analytical Solution to Efficient Portfolio Optimization

The Analytical Solution to Efficient Portfolio Optimization (cont.)

Example of Mean-Variance Optimization: Analytical Solution(Three Asset Classes, Short Sales Allowed)

Example of Mean-Variance Optimization: Analytical Solution (cont.) (Three Asset Classes, Short Sales Allowed)

Example of Mean-Variance Optimization: Optimal Search Procedure (Three Asset Classes, Short Sales Allowed)

Example of Mean-Variance Optimization: Optimal Search Procedure (Three Asset Classes, No Short Sales)

Measuring the Cost of Constraint: Incremental Portfolio Risk Main Idea: Any constraint on the optimization process imposes a cost to the investor in terms of incremental portfolio volatility, but only if that constraint is binding (i.e., keeps you from investing in an otherwise optimal manner).

Mean-Variance Efficient Frontier With and Without Short-Selling

Optimal Search Efficient Frontier Example: Five Asset Classes

Example of Mean-Variance Optimization: Optimal Search Procedure (Five Asset Classes, No Short Sales)

Mean-Variance Optimization with Black-Litterman Inputs • One of the criticisms that is sometimes made about the mean-variance optimization process that we have just seen is that the inputs (e.g., asset class expected returns, standard deviations, and correlations) must be estimated, which can effect the quality of the resulting strategic allocations. • Typically, these inputs are estimated from historical return data. However, it has been observed that inputs estimated with historical data—the expected returns, in particular—lead to “extreme” portfolio allocations that do not appear to be realistic. • Black-Litterman expected returns are often preferred in practice for the use in mean-variance optimizations because the equilibrium-consistent forecasts lead to “smoother”, more realistic allocations.

BL Mean-Variance Optimization Example • Recall the implied expected returns and other inputs from the earlier example:

BL Mean-Variance Optimization Example (cont.) • These inputs can then be used in a standard mean-variance optimizer:

BL Mean-Variance Optimization Example (cont.) • This leads to the following optimal allocations (i.e., efficient frontier):

BL Mean-Variance Optimization Example (cont.)

BL Mean-Variance Optimization Example (cont.) • Another advantage of the BL Optimization model is that it provides a way for the user to incorporate his own views about asset class expected returns into the estimation of the efficient frontier. • Said differently, if you do not agree with the implied returns, the BL model allows you to make tactical adjustments to the inputs and still achieve well-diversified portfolios that reflect your view. • Two components of a tactical view: • Asset Class Performance • Absolute (e.g., Asset Class #1 will have a return of X%) • Relative (e.g., Asset Class #1 will outperform Asset Class #2 by Y%) • User Confidence Level • 0% to 100%, indicating certainty of return view (See the article “A Step-by-Step Guide to the Black-Litterman Model” by T. Idzorek of Zephyr Associates for more details on the computational process involved with incorporating user-specified tactical views)

BL Mean-Variance Optimization Example (cont.) • Suppose we adjust the inputs in the process to include two tactical views: • US Equity will outperform Global Equity by 50 basis points (70% confidence) • Emerging Market Equity will outperform US Equity by 150 basis points (50% confidence)

BL Mean-Variance Optimization Example (cont.) • The new optimal allocations reflect these tactical views (i.e., more Emerging Market Equity and less Global Equity:

BL Mean-Variance Optimization Example (cont.) • This leads to the following new efficient frontier:

Optimal Portfolio Formation With Historical Returns: Examples • Suppose we have monthly return data for the last three years on the following six asset classes: • Chilean Stocks (IPSA Index) • Chilean Bonds (LVAG & LVAC Indexes) • Chilean Cash (LVAM Index) • U.S. Stocks (S&P 500 Index) • U.S. Bonds (SBBIG Index) • Multi-Strategy Hedge Funds (CSFB/Tremont Index) • Assume also that the non-CLP denominated asset classes can be perfectly and costlessly hedged in full if the investor so desires

Optimal Portfolio Formation With Historical Returns: Examples (cont.) • Consider the formation of optimal strategic asset allocations under a wide variety of conditions: • With and without hedging non-CLP exposure • With and Without Investment in Hedge Funds • With and Without 30% Constraint on non-CLP Assets • With different definitions of the optimization problem: • Mean-Variance Optimization • Mean-Lower Partial Moment (i.e., downside risk) Optimization • “Alpha”-Tracking Error Optimization • Each of these optimization examples will: • Use the set of historical returns directly rather than the underlying set of asset class risk and return parameters • Be based on historical return data from the period October 2002 – September 2005 • Restrict against short selling (except those short sales embedded in the hedge fund asset class)

1. Mean-Variance Optimization: Non-CLP Assets 100% Unhedged

Unconstrained Efficient Frontier: 100% Unhedged

One Consequence of the Unhedged M-V Efficient Frontier • Notice that because of the strengthening CLP/USD exchange rate over the October 2002 – September 2005 period, the optimal allocation for any expected return goal did not include any exposure to non-CLP asset classes • This “unhedged foreign investment” efficient frontier is equivalent to the efficient frontier that would have resulted from a “domestic investment only” constraint. • The issue of foreign currency hedging will be considered in a separate topic

Mean-Variance Optimization: Non-CLP Assets 100% Hedged

Unconstrained M-V Efficient Frontier: 100% Hedged

Comparison of Unhedged (i.e. “Domestic Only”) and Hedged (i.e., “Unconstrained Foreign”) Efficient Frontiers

A Related Question About Foreign Diversification • What allocation to foreign assets in a domestic investment portfolio leads to a reduction in the overall level of risk? • Van Harlow of Fidelity Investments performed the following analysis: • Consider a benchmark portfolio containing a 100% allocation to U.S. equities • Diversify the benchmark portfolio by adding a foreign equity allocation in successive 5% increments • Calculate standard deviations for benchmark and diversified portfolios using monthly return data over rolling three-year holding periods during 1970-2005 • For each foreign allocation proportion, calculate the percentage of rolling three-year holding periods that resulted in a risk level for the diversified portfolio that was higher than the domestic benchmark

Ennis Knupp Associates (EKA) have provided an alternative way of quantifying the diversification benefits of adding international stocks to a U.S. stock portfolio: EKA concludes that international diversification adds an important element of risk control within an investment program; the optimal allocation from a statistical standpoint is approximately 30%-40% of total equities, although they generally favor a slightly lower allocation due to cost considerations. Foreign Diversification Potential (cont.)

Rolling 3-Year Correlations U.S. and Non-U.S. Stocks 1971-2001 1.0 0.9 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.0 1980 1982 1983 1984 1985 1987 1988 1989 1990 1992 1993 1994 1995 1997 1998 1999 2000 2002 1974 1975 1977 1978 1979 Foreign Diversification Potential: One Caveat • During recent periods, it appears as though the correlations between U.S. and non-U.S. markets are increasing, reducing the diversification benefits of non-U.S. markets. • While this is true, the fact that these markets are less than perfectly correlated means that there is still a diversification benefit afforded to investors who allocate a portion of their assets overseas.

More on Mean-Variance Optimization:The Cost of Adding Additional Constraints • Start with the following base case: • Six asset classes: Three Chilean, Three Foreign (Including Hedge Funds) • No Short Sales • 100% Hedged Foreign Investments • No Constraint on Total Foreign Investment • No Constraint on Hedge Fund Investment • Consider the addition of two more constraints: • 30% Limit on Foreign Asset Classes • No Hedge Funds

Additional Constraints: 30% Foreign Investment

Additional Constraints: 30% Foreign Investment & No Hedge Funds

2. Mean-Downside Risk Optimization Scenario • Start with Same Base Case as Before: - Six Asset Classes: Three Domestic, Three Foreign - Fully Hedged Foreign Investments; No Short Sales - No Constraint on Foreign Investments - No Constraint on Hedge Funds • Downside Risk Conditions: • Threshold Level = 2.93% (i.e., annualized return from Chilean cash market) • Power Factor for Downside Deviations = 2.0

Mean-Downside Risk Optimization: Non-CLP Assets 100% Hedged

Unconstrained M-LPM Efficient Frontier: 100% Hedged

3. Alpha-Tracking Error Optimization Scenario • Start with Same Base Case as Before: - Six Asset Classes: Three Domestic, Three Foreign - Fully Hedged Foreign Investments; No Short Sales - No Constraint on Foreign Investments or Hedge Funds • Optimization Process Defined Relative to Benchmark Portfolio: • Minimize Tracking Error Necessary to Achieve a Required Level of Excess Return (i.e., Alpha) Relative to Benchmark Return • Benchmark Composition: Chilean Stock: 35%; Chilean Bonds: 30%, Chilean Cash: 5%; U.S. Stock: 15%; U.S. Bonds: 15%; Hedge Funds: 0% • Notice that Benchmark Portfolio Could Be Defined as Average Peer Group Allocation

Alpha-Tracking Error Optimization: Non-CLP Assets 100% Hedged

Unconstrained a-TE Efficient Frontier: 100% Hedged

The Portfolio Optimization Process: Some Summary Comments • The introduction of the portfolio optimization process was an important step in the development of what is now considered to be modern finance theory. These techniques have been widely used in practice for more than fifty years. • Portfolio optimization is an effective tool for establishing the strategic asset allocation policy for a investment portfolio. It is most likely to be usefully employed at the asset class level rather than at the individual security level. • There are two critical implementation decisions that the investor must make: • The nature of the risk-return problem: • Mean-Variance, Mean-Downside Risk, Excess Return-Tracking Error • Estimates of the required inputs: • Expected returns, asset class risk, correlations • Portfolio optimization routines can be adapted to include a variety of restrictions on the investment process (e.g., no short sales, limits on foreign investing). - The cost of such investment constraints can be viewed in terms of the incremental volatility that the investor is required to bear to obtain the same expected outcome

Second Investment Course – November 2005