We present a portfolio construction approach with two interesting non-standard features: First, the risk measure used is “drawdown-at-risk”, an interesting concept combining attractive features of drawdown and value-at-risk measures. Second, the efficient frontier is calculated from...

We see a contrast between the importance of the currency risk factor in modern investment management and its treatment in portfolio analytics like performance attribution and risk budgeting. Part of this can be explained by conceptual complexities: currencies are not just another asset class,...

Correlations play an important role in the construction of investment portfolios. In this research note, we explain why the manipulation of a valid correlation matrix is challenging. We also propose three methods to perform the following tasks: 1) Increase all correlations such that they...

We explain the variability of the mean-variance efficient frontier over time with a statistical three factor model. For an asset universe consisting of 22 stocks listed in Switzerland, the model explains more than 99% of the time variations in the efficient frontier.The three factors can be...

It is well understood that the choice of a discrete and continuous compounding model affects investment returns, but leaves end-of-period wealth unaffected.In a previous research note , we have shown that the compounding model also does not affect Sharpe Ratios when calculated properly, i.e....

The Cornish-Fisher expansion is a popular method to adjust value-at-risk calculations for the skewness and kurtosis of non-normal return distribution. On the other hand, it is an open secret that “modified value-at-risk” calculations produce “strange” results from time to time, under...

In the winter 2011/12 a wave of internal capital flight prompted the ECB to abandon its exit strategy and to announce an unprecedented monetary expansion. We analyze this episode in several dimensions: (i) by providing an event-study analysis covering key variables from national central banks'...

In the winter 2011/12 a wave of internal capital .ight prompted the ECB to abandon its exit strategy and to announce an unprecedented monetary expansion. We analyze this episode in several dimensions: (i) by providing an event-study analysis covering key variables from national central...