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Portfolio selection with mental accounts and estimation risk

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  • Alexander, Gordon J.
  • Baptista, Alexandre M.
  • Yan, Shu

Abstract

In Das, Markowitz, Scheid, and Statman (2010), an investor divides his or her wealth among mental accounts with short selling being allowed. For each account, there is a unique goal and optimal portfolio. Our paper complements theirs by considering estimation risk. We theoretically characterize the existence and composition of optimal portfolios within accounts. Based on simulated and empirical data, there is a wide range of account goals for which such portfolios notably outperform those selected with the mean-variance model for plausible risk aversion coefficients. When short selling is disallowed, the outperformance still typically holds but to a considerably lesser extent.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexander, Gordon J. & Baptista, Alexandre M. & Yan, Shu, 2017. "Portfolio selection with mental accounts and estimation risk," Journal of Empirical Finance, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 161-186.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:empfin:v:41:y:2017:i:c:p:161-186
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jempfin.2016.07.012
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Alexander, Gordon J. & Baptista, Alexandre M. & Yan, Shu, 2020. "Portfolio selection with mental accounts: An equilibrium model with endogenous risk aversion," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 110(C).
    2. Hübner, Georges & Lejeune, Thomas, 2021. "Mental accounts with horizon and asymmetry preferences," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 103(C).
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    4. Das, Sanjiv R. & Ostrov, Daniel & Radhakrishnan, Anand & Srivastav, Deep, 2022. "Dynamic optimization for multi-goals wealth management," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 140(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Portfolio selection; Mental accounts; Estimation risk; Behavioral finance;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions
    • D81 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Criteria for Decision-Making under Risk and Uncertainty

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