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Optimal portfolio choices using financial leverage

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  • Ricardo Laborda
  • Jose Olmo

Abstract

This paper investigates the role of leverage in determining the investor's optimal asset allocation over multiperiod investment horizons. To do this, we allow investors to lever their financial position by borrowing from credit markets. GMM methods are used to estimate and test the optimal portfolio weights and individual's optimal choice of financial leverage. These optimal choices are assumed to be parametric functions of a set of state variables describing the evolution of the economy. The empirical application of this methodology to a portfolio of cash, bonds and stocks reveals that a) financial leverage limits the reaction of investors to changes in the investment opportunity set; b) individuals increase leverage during recessions and deleverage in expansionary periods; c) optimal portfolio weights and financial leverage are negatively related to the degree of investor's risk aversion and positively related to the investment horizon.

Suggested Citation

  • Ricardo Laborda & Jose Olmo, 2020. "Optimal portfolio choices using financial leverage," Bulletin of Economic Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 72(2), pages 146-166, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:buecrs:v:72:y:2020:i:2:p:146-166
    DOI: 10.1111/boer.12215
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    References listed on IDEAS

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