Efficient Portfolio Optimization in the Wealth Creation and Maximum Drawdown Space

Alejandro Reveiz and Carlos León

No 4732, Borradores de Economia from Banco de la Republica

Abstract: First developed by Markowitz (1952), the mean-variance framework is the most widespread theoretical approximation to the portfolio problem. Nevertheless, successful application in the investment community has been limited. Assumptions such as normality of returns and a static correlation matrix could partially account for this. To overcome some of the limitations of the mean-variance framework, mainly the choice of the risk metric and the inconvenience of using an estimated correlation matrix typical of tranquil or euphoria periods, this paper proposes an alternative risk measure: the maximum drawdown (MDD), and combines it with a wealth creation measure to define a new portfolio optimization space. Like other market practitioners´ measures, MDD lacks of a complete and solid theoretical foundation. In an effort to contribute to its theoretical foundation, this paper uses common sense and financial intuition to introduce such measure, followed by a review of its technical advantages and coherence for risk management. Finally, an application of a MDD risk metric based portfolio optimization model is presented. The main findings indicate this proposal may effectively help overcome some of the traditional mean-variance shortcomings and provide some useful tools for portfolio optimization in practice. For long-term performance driven portfolios, such as pension funds, this approach may yield interesting results because it focuses on wealth creation over the long run.

Keywords: Portfolio Optimization; Asset Allocation; Downside Risk; Maximum Drawdown; mean-variance Criteria; Diversification. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D81 G11 G23 G32 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 23
Date: 2008-06-22
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-rmg
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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Related works:
Chapter: Efficient Portfolio Optimization in the Wealth Creation and Maximum Drawdown Space (2010)
Working Paper: Efficient Portfolio Optimization in the Wealth Creation and Maximum Drawdown Space (2008)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:col:000094:004732

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