A multistage stochastic programming framework for cardinality constrained portfolio optimization

Abstract

This paper presents a multistage stochastic programming model to deal with multi-period, cardinality constrained portfolio optimization. The presented model aims to minimize investor’s expected regret, while ensuring achievement of a minimum expected return. To generate scenarios of market index returns, a random walk model based on the empirical distribution of market-representative index returns is proposed. Then, a single index model is used to estimate stock returns based on market index returns. Afterward, historical returns of a number of stocks, selected from Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FSE), are used to implement the presented scenario generation method, and solve the stochastic programming model. In addition, the impact of cardinality constraints, transaction costs, minimum expected return and predetermined investor’s target wealth are investigated. Results show that the inclusion of cardinality constraints and transaction costs significantly influences the investors risk-return tradeoffs. This is also the case for investors target wealth.