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Downside loss aversion: Winner or loser?

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  • Ines Fortin
  • Jaroslava Hlouskova

Abstract

We study the asset allocation of a quadratic loss-averse (QLA) investor. First, we derive conditions under which the QLA problem is equivalent to the mean-variance (MV) and conditional value-at-risk (CVaR) problems. Then we solve analytically the two-asset problem of the QLA investor for one risk-free and one risky asset. We find that the optimal QLA investment in the risky asset is finite, strictly positive, and minimal with respect to the reference point for a value strictly larger than the risk-free rate. Finally, we implement the trading strategy of a QLA investor who reallocates her portfolio on a monthly basis using 13 EU and 13 US assets. Using risk-adjusted performance measures that do not target specific types of utility we find that QLA portfolios mostly outperform MV and CVaR portfolios; and that incorporating a conservative dynamic update of the QLA parameters, which is based on the historical patterns of bull and bear markets, improves the performance of QLA portfolios. Compared with linear loss-averse portfolios, QLA portfolios display significantly less risk but they also yield lower returns. Copyright Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2015

Suggested Citation

  • Ines Fortin & Jaroslava Hlouskova, 2015. "Downside loss aversion: Winner or loser?," Mathematical Methods of Operations Research, Springer;Gesellschaft für Operations Research (GOR);Nederlands Genootschap voor Besliskunde (NGB), vol. 81(2), pages 181-233, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:mathme:v:81:y:2015:i:2:p:181-233
    DOI: 10.1007/s00186-015-0493-1
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    Cited by:

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    2. Jesus Crespo Cuaresma & Ines Fortin & Jaroslava Hlouskova, 2018. "Exchange rate forecasting and the performance of currency portfolios," Journal of Forecasting, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 37(5), pages 519-540, August.
    3. Hlouskova, Jaroslava & Fortin, Ines & Tsigaris, Panagiotis, 2017. "The consumption–investment decision of a prospect theory household: A two-period model," Journal of Mathematical Economics, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 74-89.

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