Improving the performance of equity portfolios

Abstract

This paper has the strictly practical objective of devising procedures for managing Equity portfolios to the best advantage.First, Modern Portfolio Theory, (MPT) which has been developed over the last 35 years with just this objective, is critically examined; from a study of the history of MPT and of its philosophy, principles and practices, the authors conclude that this discipline makes no contribution whatever to improving the performance.The Index Fund step-up is a sterile concept. Surely a professional investment manager, using modern techniques of data banks, investment analysis, etc. should improve on the Index performance. This objective is in conflict with the Perfect Market Principle. For the less erudite investors, who are, of course, in the majority, the Perfect Market Principle may well apply, at any rate, to the well researched leading shares. However, the Perfect Market Principle should not apply to the erudite, professional investor, well equipped and well advised, who should be able to find many opportunities for situations with undervalued and overvalued shares, both among the leading issues and particularly within the smaller companies that get less research attention.