Mean-variance optimization provides a framework for constructing portfolios that have minimum risk for a given level of expected return. The required inputs are the expected asset returns, the asset covariance matrix, and a set of investment constraints. While portfolio optimization always leads...

Cross-sectional volatility is given by the standard deviation of a set of asset returns over a single time period. CSV is critical because it represents the opportunity to outperform a benchmark. In this Research Insight, we present an exact methodology for decomposing CSV into contributions...