Optimizing Portfolios with Pakistan-Exposed Exchange-Traded Funds: Risk and Performance Insight

Ali Jaffri (), Abootaleb Shirvani, Ayush Jha, Svetlozar T. Rachev and Frank J. Fabozzi
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Ali Jaffri: Department of Economics, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
Abootaleb Shirvani: Department of Mathematical Sciences, Kean University, Union, NJ 07083, USA
Ayush Jha: Department of Economics, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
Svetlozar T. Rachev: Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
Frank J. Fabozzi: Carey Business School, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21202, USA

JRFM, 2025, vol. 18, issue 3, 1-25

Abstract: This study examines the investment landscape of Pakistan as an emerging and frontier market, focusing on implications for international investors, particularly those in the United States, through exchange-traded funds (ETFs) with exposure to Pakistan. The analysis encompasses 30 ETFs with varying degrees of exposure to Pakistan, covering the period from 1 January 2016 to February 2024. This research highlights the potential benefits and risks associated with investing in these ETFs, emphasizing the importance of thorough risk assessments and portfolio performance comparisons. By providing descriptive statistics and performance metrics based on historical optimization, this paper aims to equip investors with the necessary insights to make informed decisions when optimizing their portfolios with Pakistan-exposed ETFs. The second part of the paper introduces and assesses dynamic optimization methodologies. This section is designed to explore the adaptability and performance metrics of dynamic optimization techniques in comparison with conventional historical optimization methods. By integrating dynamic optimization into the investigation, this research aims to offer insights into the efficacy of these contrasting methodologies in the context of Pakistan-exposed ETFs. The findings underscore the significance of Pakistan’s market dynamics within the broader context of emerging markets, offering a pathway for diversification and potential growth in investment strategies.

Keywords: Pakistan-exposed ETFs; frontier markets; dynamic portfolio optimization; Markowitz efficient frontier; historical optimization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C E F2 F3 G (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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