Portfolio optimization using Genetic algorithm incorporating Value-at-Risk

In the traditional mean-variance portfolio optimization model, variance is as a risk measure based on the assumption of normal distribution on asset returns. However, most of empirical returns on assets are not normally distributed. The fat tails and skewness appear in the distribution of asset retu...

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Main Author: Sun, Fei
Format: Dissertation (University of Nottingham only)
Language:English
Published: 2009
Online Access:https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/23409/
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author Sun, Fei
author_facet Sun, Fei
author_sort Sun, Fei
building Nottingham Research Data Repository
collection Online Access
description In the traditional mean-variance portfolio optimization model, variance is as a risk measure based on the assumption of normal distribution on asset returns. However, most of empirical returns on assets are not normally distributed. The fat tails and skewness appear in the distribution of asset returns that makes the portfolio optimization model with variance as a risk measure inaccurate. With the Value-at-Risk (VaR) widely employed by financial institutions as a measure of risk, this paper presents a mean-VaR portfolio optimization model with VaR as a risk measure. The portfolio optimization problem is a two-objective optimization problem. Since genetic algorithm is a stochastic search algorithm based on the mechanism of natural selection, it is good at solve multi-objective optimization problem and has been applied into many financial areas. This paper will design a multi-objective genetic algorithm to optimize a hypothetical portfolio problem based on the mean-VaR model. Also, mean-variance model will be applied to the proposed optimization problem to compare the performance of two different portfolio optimization models.
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format Dissertation (University of Nottingham only)
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spelling nottingham-234092017-12-17T17:50:37Z https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/23409/ Portfolio optimization using Genetic algorithm incorporating Value-at-Risk Sun, Fei In the traditional mean-variance portfolio optimization model, variance is as a risk measure based on the assumption of normal distribution on asset returns. However, most of empirical returns on assets are not normally distributed. The fat tails and skewness appear in the distribution of asset returns that makes the portfolio optimization model with variance as a risk measure inaccurate. With the Value-at-Risk (VaR) widely employed by financial institutions as a measure of risk, this paper presents a mean-VaR portfolio optimization model with VaR as a risk measure. The portfolio optimization problem is a two-objective optimization problem. Since genetic algorithm is a stochastic search algorithm based on the mechanism of natural selection, it is good at solve multi-objective optimization problem and has been applied into many financial areas. This paper will design a multi-objective genetic algorithm to optimize a hypothetical portfolio problem based on the mean-VaR model. Also, mean-variance model will be applied to the proposed optimization problem to compare the performance of two different portfolio optimization models. 2009-10-02 Dissertation (University of Nottingham only) NonPeerReviewed application/pdf en https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/23409/1/Fei_sun.pdf Sun, Fei (2009) Portfolio optimization using Genetic algorithm incorporating Value-at-Risk. [Dissertation (University of Nottingham only)] (Unpublished)
spellingShingle Sun, Fei
Portfolio optimization using Genetic algorithm incorporating Value-at-Risk
title Portfolio optimization using Genetic algorithm incorporating Value-at-Risk
title_full Portfolio optimization using Genetic algorithm incorporating Value-at-Risk
title_fullStr Portfolio optimization using Genetic algorithm incorporating Value-at-Risk
title_full_unstemmed Portfolio optimization using Genetic algorithm incorporating Value-at-Risk
title_short Portfolio optimization using Genetic algorithm incorporating Value-at-Risk
title_sort portfolio optimization using genetic algorithm incorporating value-at-risk
url https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/23409/