Robust and Constrained Portfolio Optimization using Multiobjective Evolutionary Algorithms

Optimization plays an important role in many areas of science, management,economics and engineering. Many techniques in mathematics and operation research are available to solve such problems. However these techniques have many shortcomings to provide fast and accurate solution particularly when the optimization problem involves many variables and constraints. Investment portfolio optimization is one such important but complex problem in computational finance which needs effective and efficient solutions. In this problem each available asset is judiciously selected in such a way that the total profit is maximized while simultaneously minimizing the total risk. The literature survey reveals that due to non availability of suitable multi objective optimization tools, this problem is mostly being solved by viewing it as a single objective optimization problem

Advances and applications in high-dimensional heuristic optimization

“Applicable to most real-world decision scenarios, multiobjective optimization is an area of multicriteria decision-making that seeks to simultaneously optimize two or more conflicting objectives. In contrast to single-objective scenarios, nontrivial multiobjective optimization problems are characterized by a set of Pareto optimal solutions wherein no solution unanimously optimizes all objectives. Evolutionary algorithms have emerged as a standard approach to determine a set of these Pareto optimal solutions, from which a decision-maker can select a vetted alternative. While easy to implement and having demonstrated great efficacy, these evolutionary approaches have been criticized for their runtime complexity when dealing with many alternatives or a high number of objectives, effectively limiting the range of scenarios to which they may be applied. This research introduces mechanisms to improve the runtime complexity of many multiobjective evolutionary algorithms, achieving state-of-the-art performance, as compared to many prominent methods from the literature. Further, the investigations here presented demonstrate the capability of multiobjective evolutionary algorithms in a complex, large-scale optimization scenario. Showcasing the approach’s ability to intelligently generate well-performing solutions to a meaningful optimization problem. These investigations advance the concept of multiobjective evolutionary algorithms by addressing a key limitation and demonstrating their efficacy in a challenging real-world scenario. Through enhanced computational efficiency and exhibited specialized application, the utility of this powerful heuristic strategy is made more robust and evident”--Abstract, page iv

Multiobjective genetic programming for financial portfolio management in dynamic environments

Multiobjective (MO) optimisation is a useful technique for evolving portfolio optimisation solutions that span a range from high-return/high-risk to low-return/low-risk. The resulting Pareto front would approximate the risk/reward Efficient Frontier [Mar52], and simplifies the choice of investment model for a given client’s attitude to risk. However, the financial market is continuously changing and it is essential to ensure that MO solutions are capturing true relationships between financial factors and not merely over fitting the training data. Research on evolutionary algorithms in dynamic environments has been directed towards adapting the algorithm to improve its suitability for retraining whenever a change is detected. Little research focused on how to assess and quantify the success of multiobjective solutions in unseen environments. The multiobjective nature of the problem adds a unique feature to be satisfied to judge robustness of solutions. That is, in addition to examining whether solutions remain optimal in the new environment, we need to ensure that the solutions’ relative positions previously identified on the Pareto front are not altered. This thesis investigates the performance of Multiobjective Genetic Programming (MOGP) in the dynamic real world problem of portfolio optimisation. The thesis provides new definitions and statistical metrics based on phenotypic cluster analysis to quantify robustness of both the solutions and the Pareto front. Focusing on the critical period between an environment change and when retraining occurs, four techniques to improve the robustness of solutions are examined. Namely, the use of a validation data set; diversity preservation; a novel variation on mating restriction; and a combination of both diversity enhancement and mating restriction. In addition, preliminary investigation of using the robustness metrics to quantify the severity of change for optimum tracking in a dynamic portfolio optimisation problem is carried out. Results show that the techniques used offer statistically significant improvement on the solutions’ robustness, although not on all the robustness criteria simultaneously. Combining the mating restriction with diversity enhancement provided the best robustness results while also greatly enhancing the quality of solutions

OPTIMIZACIÓN MULTIOBJETIVO PARA LA SELECCIÓN DE CARTERAS A LA LUZ DE LA TEORÍA DE LA CREDIBILIDAD: UNA APLICACIÓN EN EL MERCADO INTEGRADO LATINOAMERICANO

El presente trabajo de investigación doctoral tiene como fin optimizar carteras multiobjetivo a la luz de la teoría de la credibilidad. Con el fin de cumplir con este propósito, se propone un novedoso modelo difuso de optimización denominado "Modelo Credibilístico Multiobjetivo de Media-Semivarianza-Liquidez para la Selección de Carteras". La incertidumbre de la liquidez y el rendimiento futuro de cada activo se modela por medio de números difusos L-R con funciones de referencia tipo potencia. Con el objetivo de conseguir un modelo más realista se considera la restricción de cardinalidad que limita el número de activos que participan en las carteras y las restricciones de cotas superiores e inferiores que permiten combinaciones de activos que respetan las preferencias del inversor. Con el propósito de seleccionar la cartera óptima, esta investigación define por primera vez el ratio de Sortino en un entorno credibilístico. El problema de optimización multiobjetivo resultante es lineal y convexo, y la introducción de restricciones realistas convierte el modelo de un problema de optimización cuadrática clásica (classical quadratic optimization problem) a un problema de programación cuadrática de enteros mixtos (quadratic mixed-integer problem) que es NP-hard. Para superar este inconveniente se aplica el Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm (NSGAII), MOEA que ha sido utilizado con éxito en la generación de soluciones eficientes en varios modelos multiobjetivos de selección de carteras. Finalmente, se demuestra la efectividad y eficiencia del modelo en aplicaciones prácticas, asumiendo por primera vez la toma de decisiones de inversión en el Mercado Integrado Latinoamericano (MILA), que integra los mercados bursátiles de Chile, Colombia, México y Perú.The present doctoral dissertation aims to optimize multiobjective portfolio in the light of credibility theory. In order to meet this purpose, a novel fuzzy optimization model called "Multiobjective Credibilistic Mean-Semivariance-Liquidity Portfolio Selection Model" is proposed. The uncertainty of the future return and liquidity of each asset are modeled by means of LR-fuzzy numbers belonging to the power family. In order to make a more realistic model, it is considered the cardinality constraint limiting the number of assets participating in the portfolios, and upper and lower bound constraints allowing assets combinations which respect the investor's wishes. In the interest of selecting the optimal portfolio, this research defines for the first time, the Sortino ratio under a credibilistic environment. The resulting multiobjective optimization problem is linear and convex, and the introduction of realistic constraints into the portfolio optimization problem convert the model from a classical quadratic optimization problem to a quadratic mixed-integer problem (QMIP) that is NP-hard. To overcome this drawback, it is applied the Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm (NSGAII), MOEA that has been used successfully in the generation of efficient solutions in several multi-objective portfolio selection models. Finally, an empirical study is included to demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of the model in practical applications using for the first time a dataset of assets from the Latin American Integrated Market (MILA by its Spanish acronym), which integrates the stock exchange markets of Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru.El present treball d'investigació doctoral té com a finalitat optimitzar carteres multiobjectiu a la llum de la teoria de la credibilitat. Per tal de complir amb aquest propòsit, es proposa un nou model difús d'optimització denominat "Model Credibilístic multiobjectiu de Mitjana-Semivarianza-Liquiditat per a la Selecció de Carteres". La incertesa de la liquiditat i el rendiment futur de cada actiu es modela per mitjà de nombres difusos L-R amb funcions de referència tipus potència. Amb l'objectiu d'aconseguir un model més realista es considera la restricció de cardinalitat que limita el nombre d'actius que participen en les carteres i les restriccions de cotes superiors i inferiors que permeten combinacions d'actius que respecten les preferències de l'inversor. Amb el propòsit de seleccionar la cartera òptima, aquesta investigació defineix per primera vegada la ràtio de Sortino en un entorn credibilístic. El problema d'optimització multiobjectiu resultant és lineal i convex, la introducció de restriccions realistes converteix el model d'un problema d'optimització quadràtica clàssica (classical quadratic optimization problem), a un problema de programació quadràtica d'enters mixtes (quadratic mixed-integer problem) que és NP-hard. Per superar aquest inconvenient s'aplica el Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm (NSGAII), MOEA que ha estat utilitzat amb èxit en la generació de solucions eficients en diversos models multiobjectiu de selecció de carteres. Finalment, es demostra l'efectivitat i eficiència del model en aplicacions pràctiques, assumint per primera vegada la presa de decisions d'inversió al Mercat Integrat Llatinoamericà (MILA), que integra els mercats borsaris de Xile, Colòmbia, Mèxic i Perú.González Bueno, JA. (2018). OPTIMIZACIÓN MULTIOBJETIVO PARA LA SELECCIÓN DE CARTERAS A LA LUZ DE LA TEORÍA DE LA CREDIBILIDAD: UNA APLICACIÓN EN EL MERCADO INTEGRADO LATINOAMERICANO [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/102362TESI