Risk Budgeted Portfolio Optimization Using an Extended Ant Colony Optimization Metaheuristic

Abstract

Risk Budgeted portfolio optimization problem centering on the twin objectives of maximizing expected portfolio return and minimizing portfolio risk and incorporating the risk budgeting investment strategy, turns complex for direct solving by classical methods triggering the need to look for metaheuristic solutions. This work explores the application of an extended Ant Colony Optimization algorithm that borrows concepts from evolution theory, for the solution of the problem and proceeds to compare the experimental results with those obtained by two other Metaheuristic optimization methods belonging to two different genres viz., Evolution Strategy with Hall of Fame and Differential Evolution, obtained in an earlier investigation. The experimental studies have been undertaken over Bombay Stock Exchange data set (BSE200: July 2001-July 2006) and Tokyo Stock Exchange data set (Nikkei225: July 2001-July 2006). Data Envelopment Analysis has also been undertaken to compare the performance of the technical efficiencies of the optimal risk budgeted portfolios obtained by the three approaches.