The article “Modern Portfolio Theory, Financial Engineering, and Their Roles in Financial Crises” discusses modern portfolio theory, and the financial engineering. The author mentions roles that modern portfolio theory and financial engineering played in the financial crises. Also, the author states the issue of why elegant mathematics leads to bad polices. In this assignment, I will summarize most of the points that are discussed in the article. The author begins the article by defining the concept of modern portfolio theory (MPT). Modern portfolio theory can be defined as a theory on how investors can have optimal portfolios that generate the heights expected return based on a given level of risk. In other words, it is possible to build efficient frontier of optimal portfolios that generate maximum expected return at a given level of risk. The article presents the optimization process in the theory by its inputs and outputs. The first inputs is the expected returns for each security, which can be estimated using historical returns. The second input is the covariance matrix that includes the correlation coefficient, the standard deviation, and the variance of each security. The last input is the constraints in the selection of portfolio such as the turnover of the portfolio or liquidity. On the other hand, the optimization process has to outputs. The first is the efficient frontiers that represent the risk-return trade-off portfolios. The second output is the choice of portfolio that has the risk and return optimization for the investor. Financial Engineering (FE) is the second point that the article discusses. To fully understand financial engineering, we should understand the Black-Scholes-Merton (BSM), which is an option-... ... middle of paper ... ...fication is important to reduce risk, however, a pair of security should be negative to make diversification effective. Investors, especially in Black Monday crisis, did not pay attention to the correlation. As a result, they invested in securities that have positive correlations. I believe that if investors had understood the concept of correlation, their portfolio would have had less overall risk. In conclusion, Modern Portfolio Theory and Financial Engineering have been great financial models that helped investors all around the world. However, they have been associated with some crisis because of their assumptions. Generally, financial models assume in order to simplify the reality, so most of the time the assumptions should work. The article described each models and the roles they played in financial crises as well as some best practice of them in the future.
Dimensional's value strategies are based on the Fama/French research in multifactor portfolios designed to capture the return premiums associated with high book-to-market (BtM) ratios.
Market crashes are not a new phenomenon but the most disturbing fact about the financial crisis of 2008, was that it was self-inflicted. What started as a credit crunch during the early 2006, turned into a fully-blown recession by mid-2008.The world’s financial system received a huge shock in September 2008, with the collapse of The Lehman Brothers, one of the biggest global investment banks [3]. The Global Financial Crisis of 2008, was undoubtedly the worst economic slump since the Great Depression of 1930. While the bankers and financers hold the responsibility for the global economic turmoil, the business schools have also, being partially responsible, faced criticism.
Ross, S.A., Westerfield, R.W., Jaffe, J. and Jordan, B.D., 2008. Modern Financial Management: International Student Edition. 8th Edition. New York: McGraw-Hill Companies.
Arbitrage pricing theory and the capital asset pricing model (CAPM) is in stock and asset pricing of the two most influential theories now . Different capital asset prici...
Investment theory is based upon some simple concepts. Investors should want to maximize their return while minimizing their risk at the same time. In order to accomplish this goal investors should diversify their portfolios based upon expected returns and standard deviations of individual securities. Investment theory assumes that investors are risk averse, which means that they will choose a portfolio with a smaller standard deviation. (Alexander, Sharpe, and Bailey, 1998). It is also assumed that wealth has marginal utility, which basically means that a dollar potentially lost has more perceived value than a dollar potentially gained. An indifference curve is a term that represents a combination of risk and expected return that has an equal amount of utility to an investor. A two dimensional figure that provides us with return measurements on the vertical axis and risk measurements (std. deviation) on the horizontal axis will show indifference curves starting at a point and moving higher up the vertical axis the further along the horizontal axis it moves. Therefore a risk averse investor will choose an indifference curve that lies the furthest to the northwest because this would r...
Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) is an ex ante concept, which is built on the portfolio theory established by Markowitz (Bhatnagar and Ramlogan 2012). It enhances the understanding of elements of asset prices, specifically the linear relationship between risk and expected return (Perold 2004). The direct correlation between risk and return is well defined by the security market line (SML), where market risk of an asset is associated with the return and risk of the market along with the risk free rate to estimate expected return on an asset (Watson and Head 1998 cited in Laubscher 2002).
According to Investopedia (Asset Allocation Definition, 2013), asset allocation is an investment strategy that aims to balance risk and reward by distributing a portfolio’s assets according to an individual’s goals, risk tolerance and investment horizon. There are three main asset classes: equities, fixed-income, cash and cash equivalents; but they all have different levels of risk and return. A prudent investor should be careful in allocating each asset class to his portfolio. Proper asset allocation is a highly debatable subject and is not designed equally for everybody, but is rather based on the desires and needs of the individual investor. This paper discusses the importance of asset allocation, the differences and the proper diversification within the portfolio.
My formal learning of the financial industry began at McGill University where I am currently completing an undergraduate degree in Economics and Finance. At McGill, I was exposed to various segments of finance such as Investment Management, Real Estate Finance and Corporate finance. However, I am primarily interested in asset management, especially the use of derivatives to create structured investment products. The use of derivatives is a novel approach to investing and controlling for risk and requires significant mathematical skill. However, having topped my class in econometrics and statistics, I was able to develop a deeper understanding for these investment strategies.
Finance is a field that had always fascinated me right from my undergraduate college days. What make me interested in this particular field of study are the art of finance and the complexity of investment market which would allow me to employ my personal skills, such as analytical and communication skills, along with my personal characteristics such as dedication and compassion for what I do. As one of the most important sector in the world, I believe it would provide me with a broad range of career options.
3. Basing one’s decision solely on an asset allocation’s mean and variance is insufficient to base one’s decisions, in a world in which asset class returns are not normally distributed; and,
University of Phoenix.(Ed.). (2005). Foundations of Financial Management, 11e [University Phoenix Custom Edition]. The McGraw-Hill Companies.
Financial crises have influenced the os of financial markets in past. The most important the Great Depression in 1929-30, the 1970s inflation failures and the banking difficulties in the 1990s led to problems in the financial markets causing serious disturbance. The recent financial crisis which became known in 2007, though the roots were implanted much earlier, has been the worst situation financial markets have ever faced.
Block, S. B., & Hirt, G. A. (2005). Foundations of financial management. (11th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.
I am currently majoring in Finance Management. Most of the time people think of finance as just managing money. However, finance is needed for so much more! The finance industry deals with starting businesses, developing new products, expanding markets, as well as everyday things like saving for retirement, purchasing a home, and even insurance. The stock market, asset allocation, portfolio analysis, and electronic commerce are all key aspects in finance. In this paper, I will explain how these features play a vital role in the industry, along with the issues that come with these factors.
Financial theories are the building blocks of today's corporate world. "The basic building blocks of finance theory lay the foundation for many modern tools used in areas such asset pricing and investment. Many of these theoretical concepts such as general equilibrium analysis, information economics and theory of contracts are firmly rooted in classical Microeconomics" (Oaktree, 2005)