Mean-Semivariance Optimization: A Heuristic Approach

22 Pages Posted: 7 Nov 2007

Multiple version iconThere are 2 versions of this paper

Date Written: November 2007

Abstract

Academics and practitioners optimize portfolios using far more often the mean-variance approach than the mean-semivariance approach, and that despite the fact that semivariance is often considered a more plausible measure of risk than variance. The popularity of the mean-variance approach follows in part from the fact that mean-variance problems have well-known closed-form solutions, whereas mean-semivariance optimal portfolios cannot be determined without resorting to obscure numerical algorithms. This follows from the fact that, unlike the exogenous covariance matrix, the semicovariance matrix is endogenous. This article proposes a heuristic approach that yields a symmetric and exogenous semicovariance matrix, which enables the determination of mean-semivariance optimal portfolios by using the well-known closed-form solutions of mean-variance problems. The heuristic proposed is shown to be both simple and accurate.

Keywords: Portfolio optimization, Downside risk, Semivariance

JEL Classification: G11

Suggested Citation

Estrada, Javier, Mean-Semivariance Optimization: A Heuristic Approach (November 2007). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1028206 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1028206

Javier Estrada (Contact Author)

IESE Business School ( email )

IESE Business School
Av. Pearson 21
Barcelona, 08034
Spain
+34 93 253 4200 (Phone)
+34 93 253 4343 (Fax)

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
1,596
Abstract Views
5,162
Rank
10,310
PlumX Metrics