arXiv subjects

Zili Zhu

Publications and source records attributed to Zili Zhu.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2019

Dynamic portfolio optimization with liquidity cost and market impact: a simulation-and-regression approach

We present a simulation-and-regression method for solving dynamic portfolio allocation problems in the presence of general transaction costs, liquidity costs and market impacts. This method extends the classical least squares Monte Carlo algorithm to incorporate switching costs, corresponding to transaction costs and transient liquidity costs, as well as multiple endogenous state variables, namely the portfolio value and the asset prices subject to permanent market impacts. To do so, we improve the accuracy of the control randomization approach in the case of discrete controls, and propose a global iteration procedure to further improve the allocation estimates. We validate our numerical method by solving a realistic cash-and-stock portfolio with a power-law liquidity model. We quantify the certainty equivalent losses associated with ignoring liquidity effects, and illustrate how our dynamic allocation protects the investor's capital under illiquid market conditions. Lastly, we analyze, under different liquidity conditions, the sensitivities of certainty equivalent returns and optimal allocations with respect to trading volume, stock price volatility, initial investment amount, risk-aversion level and investment horizon.

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arXiv2019

Skewed target range strategy for multiperiod portfolio optimization using a two-stage least squares Monte Carlo method

In this paper, we propose a novel investment strategy for portfolio optimization problems. The proposed strategy maximizes the expected portfolio value bounded within a targeted range, composed of a conservative lower target representing a need for capital protection and a desired upper target representing an investment goal. This strategy favorably shapes the entire probability distribution of returns, as it simultaneously seeks a desired expected return, cuts off downside risk and implicitly caps volatility and higher moments. To illustrate the effectiveness of this investment strategy, we study a multiperiod portfolio optimization problem with transaction costs and develop a two-stage regression approach that improves the classical least squares Monte Carlo (LSMC) algorithm when dealing with difficult payoffs, such as highly concave, abruptly changing or discontinuous functions. Our numerical results show substantial improvements over the classical LSMC algorithm for both the constant relative risk-aversion (CRRA) utility approach and the proposed skewed target range strategy (STRS). Our numerical results illustrate the ability of the STRS to contain the portfolio value within the targeted range. When compared with the CRRA utility approach, the STRS achieves a similar mean-variance efficient frontier while delivering a better downside risk-return trade-off.

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arXiv2018

Local Control Regression: Improving the Least Squares Monte Carlo Method for Portfolio Optimization

The least squares Monte Carlo algorithm has become popular for solving portfolio optimization problems. A simple approach is to approximate the value functions on a discrete grid of portfolio weights, then use control regression to generalize the discrete estimates. However, the classical global control regression can be expensive and inaccurate. To overcome this difficulty, we introduce a local control regression technique, combined with adaptive grids. We show that choosing a coarse grid for local regression can produce sufficiently accurate results.

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arXiv2016

Switching to non-affine stochastic volatility: A closed-form expansion for the Inverse Gamma model

This paper introduces the Inverse Gamma (IGa) stochastic volatility model with time-dependent parameters, defined by the volatility dynamics $dV_{t}=κ_{t}\left(θ_{t}-V_{t}\right)dt+λ_{t}V_{t}dB_{t}$. This non-affine model is much more realistic than classical affine models like the Heston stochastic volatility model, even though both are as parsimonious (only four stochastic parameters). Indeed, it provides more realistic volatility distribution and volatility paths, which translate in practice into more robust calibration and better hedging accuracy, explaining its popularity among practitioners. In order to price vanilla options with IGa volatility, we propose a closed-form volatility-of-volatility expansion. Specifically, the price of a European put option with IGa volatility is approximated by a Black-Scholes price plus a weighted combination of Black-Scholes greeks, where the weights depend only on the four time-dependent parameters of the model. This closed-form pricing method allows for very fast pricing and calibration to market data. The overall quality of the approximation is very good, as shown by several calibration tests on real-world market data where expansion prices are compared favorably with Monte Carlo simulation results. This paper shows that the IGa model is as simple, more realistic, easier to implement and faster to calibrate than classical transform-based affine models. We therefore hope that the present work will foster further research on non-affine models like the Inverse Gamma stochastic volatility model, all the more so as this robust model is of great interest to the industry.

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