This paper studies portfolio optimization through improvements of ex-ante conditional covariance estimates. We use the cross-section of stock returns over a 52-year sample to analyze trading performance by implementing the machine learning algorithm of hierarchical clustering. We find that...

This study aims at analyzing the ability of managers of Alternative Risk Premia (ARP) portfolios to outperform benchmarks and to deliver alphas. Using a sample of more than 200 ARP indices, we first distinguish performance between allocation strategy and picking ability. Our first results show...

We present a continuous-time portfolio selection problem faced by an agent with S-shaped preference who maximizes the utilities derived from the portfolio's periodic performance over an infinite horizon. The periodic reward structure creates subtle incentive distortion. In some cases, local risk...

The recent growth in interest in convertible bond arbitrage (CBA) has come predominately from the hedge fund industry. Past empirical evidence has shown that a CBA strategy generates positive monthly abnormal risk adjusted returns. However, these studies have focused on hedge fund returns which...

The recent growth in interest in convertible bond arbitrage (CBA) has come predominately from the hedge fund industry. Past empirical evidence has shown that a CBA strategy generates positive monthly abnormal risk adjusted returns. However, these studies have focused on hedge fund returns which...

This paper replicates the core underlying merger arbitrage strategy using daily data from the United Kingdom to generate three simulated merger arbitrage portfolio return series, for the period 2001 through to 2004. Past empirical evidence indicates that the merger arbitrage strategy generates...

This study explores the role of short sale constraints in explaining the variation in premiums to Net Asset Value (NAV) in REIT pricing. We use proprietary information on short sales between June 2006 and September 2008 to examine how short sales and short sale constraints affect the variation...