Differential Evolution for Multiobjective Portfolio Optimization

Financial portfolio optimization is a challenging problem. First, the problem is multiobjective (i.e.: minimize risk and maximize profit) and the objective functions are often multimodal and non smooth (e.g.: value at risk). Second, managers have often to face real-world constraints, which are typically non-linear. Hence, conventional optimization techniques, such as quadratic programming, cannot be used. Stochastic search heuristic can be an attractive alternative. In this paper, we propose a new multiobjective algorithm for portfolio optimization: DEMPO - Differential Evolution for Multiobjective Portfolio Optimization. The main advantage of this new algorithm is its generality, i.e., the ability to tackle a portfolio optimization task as it is, without simplifications. Our empirical results show the capability of our approach of obtaining highly accurate results in very reasonable runtime, in comparison with quadratic programming and another state-of-art search heuristic, the so-called NSGA II.Portfolio Optimization, Multiobjective, Real-world Constraints, Value at Risk, Expected Shortfall, Differential Evolution

Quadratic Pareto Race

This paper presents a dynamic and visual "free search" type of a decision support system -- Quadratic Pareto Race, which enables a decision maker (DM) to freely search the efficient frontier of a multiple objective quadratic-linear programming problem by controlling the speed and direction of motion. The values of the objective functions are presented in a numeric form and as bar graphs on a display. The implementation of Quadratic Pareto Race is based on the theoretical foundations developed by Korhonen and Yu (1996). The system is implemented on a microcomputer and illustrated using a numerical example

Multiobjective metaheuristic approaches for mean-risk combinatorial optimisation with applications to capacity expansion

Tese de doutoramento. Engenharia Electrotécnica e de Computadores. Faculdade de Engenharia. Universidade do Porto. 200

Heuristic Optimisation in Financial Modelling

There is a large number of optimisation problems in theoretical and applied finance that are difficult to solve as they exhibit multiple local optima or are not ‘well- behaved’ in other ways (eg, discontinuities in the objective function). One way to deal with such problems is to adjust and to simplify them, for instance by dropping constraints, until they can be solved with standard numerical methods. This paper argues that an alternative approach is the application of optimisation heuristics like Simulated Annealing or Genetic Algorithms. These methods have been shown to be capable to handle non-convex optimisation problems with all kinds of constraints. To motivate the use of such techniques in finance, the paper presents several actual problems where classical methods fail. Next, several well-known heuristic techniques that may be deployed in such cases are described. Since such presentations are quite general, the paper describes in some detail how a particular problem, portfolio selection, can be tackled by a particular heuristic method, Threshold Accepting. Finally, the stochastics of the solutions obtained from heuristics are discussed. It is shown, again for the example from portfolio selection, how this random character of the solutions can be exploited to inform the distribution of computations.Optimisation heuristics, Financial Optimisation, Portfolio Optimisation

An Algorithm for Biobjective Mixed Integer Quadratic Programs

Multiobjective quadratic programs (MOQPs) are appealing since convex quadratic programs have elegant mathematical properties and model important applications. Adding mixed-integer variables extends their applicability while the resulting programs become global optimization problems. Thus, in this work, we develop a branch and bound (BB) algorithm for solving biobjective mixed-integer quadratic programs (BOMIQPs). An algorithm of this type does not exist in the literature. The algorithm relies on five fundamental components of the BB scheme: calculating an initial set of efficient solutions with associated Pareto points, solving node problems, fathoming, branching, and set dominance. Considering the properties of the Pareto set of BOMIQPs, two new fathoming rules are proposed. An extended branching module is suggested to cooperate with the node problem solver. A procedure to make the dominance decision between two Pareto sets with limited information is proposed. This set dominance procedure can eliminate the dominated points and eventually produce the Pareto set of the BOMIQP. Numerical examples are provided. Solving multiobjective quadratic programs (MOQPs) is fundamental to our research. Therefore, we examine the algorithms for this class of problems with different perspectives. The scalarization techniques for (strictly) convex MOPs are reviewed and the available algorithms for computing efficient solutions for MOQPs are discussed. These algorithms are compared with respect to four properties of MOQPs. In addition, methods for solving parametric multiobjective quadratic programs are studied. Computational studies are provided with synthetic instances, and examples in statistics and portfolio optimization. The real-life context reveals the interplay between the scalarizations and provides an additional insight into the obtained parametric solution sets

Computing the Mean-Variance-Sustainability Nondominated Surface by ev-MOGA

[EN] Despite the widespread use of the classical bicriteria Markowitz mean-variance framework, a broad consensus is emerging on the need to include more criteria for complex portfolio selection problems. Sustainable investing, also called socially responsible investment, is becoming a mainstream investment practice. In recent years, some scholars have attempted to include sustainability as a third criterion to better reflect the individual preferences of those ethical or green investors who are willing to combine strong financial performance with social benefits. For this purpose, new computational methods for optimizing this complex multiobjective problem are needed. Multiobjective evolutionary algorithms (MOEAs) have been recently used for portfolio selection, thus extending the mean-variance methodology to obtain a mean-variance-sustainability nondominated surface. In this paper, we apply a recent multiobjective genetic algorithm based on the concept of epsilon-dominance called ev-MOGA. This algorithm tries to ensure convergence towards the Pareto set in a smart distributed manner with limited memory resources. It also adjusts the limits of the Pareto front dynamically and prevents solutions belonging to the ends of the front from being lost. Moreover, the individual preferences of socially responsible investors could be visualised using a novel tool, known as level diagrams, which helps investors better understand the range of values attainable and the tradeoff between return, risk, and sustainability.This work was funded by "Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad" (Spain), research project RTI2018-096904B-I00, and "Conselleria de Educacion, Cultura y DeporteGeneralitat Valenciana" (Spain), research project AICO/2019/055Garcia-Bernabeu, A.; Salcedo-Romero-De-Ávila, J.; Hilario Caballero, A.; Pla Santamaría, D.; Herrero Durá, JM. (2019). 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