Applying a global optimisation algorithm to Fund of Hedge Funds portfolio optimisation

Thapar, Rishi, Minsky, Bernard, Obradovic, M and Tang, Qi (2009): Applying a global optimisation algorithm to Fund of Hedge Funds portfolio optimisation. Unpublished.

Abstract

Portfolio optimisation for a Fund of Hedge Funds (“FoHF”) has to address the asymmetric, non-Gaussian nature of the underlying returns distributions. Furthermore, the objective functions and constraints are not necessarily convex or even smooth. Therefore traditional portfolio optimisation methods such as mean-variance optimisation are not appropriate for such problems and global search optimisation algorithms could serve better to address such problems. Also, in implementing such an approach the goal is to incorporate information as to the future expected outcomes to determine the optimised portfolio rather than optimise a portfolio on historic performance. In this paper, we consider the suitability of global search optimisation algorithms applied to FoHF portfolios, and using one of these algorithms to construct an optimal portfolio of investable hedge fund indices given forecast views of the future and our confidence in such views.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: portfolio optimisation; optimization; fund of hedge funds; global search optimisation; direct search; pgsl; hedge fund portfolio
• Subjects: G - Financial Economics > G1 - General Financial Markets > G11 - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions; C - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods > C6 - Mathematical Methods and Programming > C63 - Computational Techniques; C - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods > C1 - Econometric and Statistical Methods: General > C15 - Statistical Simulation Methods; Monte Carlo Methods; Bootstrap Methods; C - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods > C6 - Mathematical Methods and Programming > C61 - Optimization Techniques; Programming Models; Dynamic Analysis

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