CAIA - 01 - Asset Allocation Processes and the Mean-Variance Model Flashcards

1
Q

Whether asset allocation or security selection has the greatest impact on portfolio performance depends on what two factors?

A

Diversified vs concentrated

Definition of performance

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2
Q

There are 3 key questions regarding the importance of asset allocation for the performance of diversified portfolios:

  1. How much return variability is explained by ___ ___ ?
  2. How much of the difference in average returns between diversified funds is explained by differences in ___ ___ ?
  3. What part of a fund’s ___ return is explained by its ___ ___ policy?
A

There are 3 key questions regarding the importance of asset allocation for the performance of diversified portfolios:

  1. How much return variability is explained by asset allocation?
  2. How much of the difference in average returns between diversified funds is explained by differences in investment policies?
  3. What part of a fund’s average return is explained by its asset allocation policy?
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3
Q

Most studies find that ___ - ___% of variation in diversified traditional portfolios is explained by overall asset allocation decisions.

A

Most studies find that 85-90% of variation in diversified traditional portfolios is explained by overall asset allocation decisions.

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4
Q

Most studies find that less than 50% of the difference in average returns can be explained by differences in asset allocation. The remaining differences are explained by factors such as asset-class ___, s___, s___ s___, and f___.

A

Most studies find that less than 50% of the difference in average returns can be explained by differences in asset allocation. The remaining differences are explained by factors such as asset-class timing, style, security selection, and fees.

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5
Q

The five steps for implementing a systemic asset allocation program are:

  1. Identify asset owners’ ___ and ___
  2. Develop an ___ ___ ___
  3. Implement ___ ___ policy described in IPS
  4. ___ ___ according to optimal weights
  5. ___ and ___ the investments
A

The five steps for implementing a systemic asset allocation program are:

  1. Identify asset owners’ objectives and constraints
  2. Develop an investment policy statement
  3. Implement asset allocation policy described in IPS
  4. Allocate capital according to optimal weights
  5. Monitor and evaluate the investments
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6
Q

___ funds are funds established by not-for-profit entities that invest supporters’ charitable contributions and use the invested capital to support the activities of an organization.

A

Endowment funds are fund established by not-for-profit entities that invest supporters’ charitable contributions and use the invested capital to support the activities of an organization.

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7
Q

___ raise funds through charitable contributions and use the capital to fund grants and support charities.

A

Foundations raise funds through charitable contributions and use the capital to fund grants and support charities.

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8
Q

___ funds have long investment horizons and are not heavily regulated in terms of investment activities, so they can use a broad universe of assets (including alternative assets).

A

Endowment funds have long investment horizons and are not heavily regulated in terms of investment activities, so they can use a broad universe of assets (including alternative assets).

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9
Q

Like ___ funds, ___ can use a broad universe of assets due to their long investment horizons and light regulation. However, to take advantage of beneficial tax treatments, ___ must distribute a minimum percentage of their assets each year.

A

Like endowment funds, foundations can use a broad universe of assets due to their long investment horizons and light regulation. However, to take advantage of beneficial tax treatments, foundations must distribute a minimum percentage of their assets each year.

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10
Q

What are the 4 types of pension funds?

A

National

Private DB

Private DC

Individually Managed Accounts

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11
Q

___ pension funds are established to provide retirement income to a country’s citizens.

A

National pension funds are established to provide retirement income to a country’s citizens.

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12
Q

For national pension funds, investment decisions are made by ___ ___.

A

For national pension funds, investment decisions are made by national governments.

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13
Q

___ ___ ___ plans are established to provide pension benefits to private companies’ employees. The employees are promised a specific retirement income based on a number of factors.

A

Private defined benefit plans are established to provide pension benefits to private companies’ employees. The employees are promised a specific retirement income based on a number of factors.

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14
Q

The ___ ___ directs the management of a private defined benefit plans assets.

A

The plan sponsor directs the management of a private defined benefit plans assets.

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15
Q

___ ___ ___ funds receive contributions for employees from the plan sponsors, as specified by the plan. Each beneficiary’s assets are managed by the plan sponsor and the employee. The sponsor decides on the list of available asset classes and the employee selects the asset allocation. When the employee retires, they are given the value of their account.

A

Private defined contribution funds receive contributions for employees from the plan sponsors, as specified by the plan. Each beneficiary’s assets are managed by the plan sponsor and the employee. The sponsor decides on the list of avaialbel asset classes and the employee selects the asset allocation. When the employee retires, they are given the value of their account.

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16
Q

The Broad categories of asset owners are:

A
  1. Endowments and Foundations
  2. Pension Funds
  3. Sovereign Wealth Funds
  4. Family Offices
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17
Q

___ ___ ___ funds are established and managed by national governments and invest a country’s income to benefit its citizens

A

Sovereign wealth funds are established and managed by national governments and invest a country’s income to benefit its citizens

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18
Q

The growth of sovereign wealth funds is linked to increases in prices of ___ ___

A

The growth of sovereign wealth funds is linked to increases in prices of natural resources

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19
Q

Family offices (are/are not) typically large enough to have access to a full menu of assets.

A

Family offices are typically large enough to have access to a full menu of assets.

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20
Q

A(n) ___ is a preference that differentiates between optimal and suboptimal solutions.

A

An objective is a preference that differentiates between optimal and suboptimal solutions.

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21
Q

A ___ is a condition that must be satisfied by any solution.

A

A constraint is a condition that must be satisfied by any solution.

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22
Q

___ constraints are set by the asset owner and depend on factors such as the owner’s time horizon, liquidity needs, and desire to avoid certain sectors.

A

Internal constraints are set by the asset owner and depend on factors such as the owner’s time horizon, liquidity needs, and desire to avoid certain sectors.

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23
Q

____ IPS constraints come from market conditions and regulations.

A

External IPS constraints come from market conditions and regulations.

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24
Q

Asset owners should clearly state their investment objectives in terms of ___ and ___ that are consistent with their risk tolerance levels and current ___ ___ . In addition, objectives need to be consistent with the fact that higher ___ are associated with higher levels of ___ .

A

Asset owners should clearly state their investment objectives in terms of risks and returns that are consistent with their risk tolerance levels and current market conditions. In addition, objectives need to be consistent with the fact that higher returns are associated with higher levels of risk.

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25
The probability weighted expected return may be expressed as
26
The probability weighted standard deviation may be expressed as
27
\_\_\_ is a measure of satisfaction gained from investment wealth or return
**Utility** is a measure of satisfaction gained from investment wealth or return
28
\_\_\_ ___ is the probability-weighted average utility over all possible outcomes
**Expected utility** is the probability-weighted average utility over all possible outcomes
29
A ___ \_\_\_ U(\*) describes the relationship that converts an investment's wealth or return into the investor's level of utility
A **utility Function** U(\*) describes the relationship that converts an investment's wealth or return into the investor's level of utility
30
An investor's utility may be expressed as a function of ___ W as U(W).
An investor's utility may be expressed as a function of **wealth** W as U(W).
31
If utility functions are concave, then owners are said to be ___ \_\_\_.
If utility functions are concave, then owners are said to be **risk averse**.
32
An investment's expected utility may be expressed in terms of its expected return and its variance of returns as:
33
Larger λ means that the variance has a (greater/less) effect on the expected utility
Larger λ means that the variance has a **greater** effect on the expected utility
34
If the λ is 0 then the investor is said to be risk \_\_\_
If the λ is 0 then the investor is said to be risk **neutral**
35
If the λ is negative then the investor is said to be risk \_\_\_
If the λ is negative then the investor is said to be risk **seeking**
36
For investments with non-normal returns, the higher-order moments of ___ and ___ should be incorporated in expected utility.
For investments with non-normal returns, the higher-order moments of **skewness** and **kurtosis** should be incorporated in expected utility.
37
What is the utility function in terms of higher-order moments?
38
What is the utility function in terms of Value at Risk?
39
What is the utility function used to manage the risk of a defined benefit pension fund
40
What is the equation for the degree of risk aversion, λ?
41
What is the utility function of a DB Plan with liability Growth? (Equation)
42
What are the 3 typical internal constraints for an investment policy statement? 1. \_\_\_ 2. ___ \_\_\_ 3. \_\_\_and \_\_\_limits
What are the 3 typical internal constraints for an investment policy statement? 1. **Liquidity** 2. **Time Horizon** 3. **Sector** and **country** limits
43
Does time horizon impact the allocation to commodities?
Yes - since investors will not be able to benefit from commodities' long-run mean reversion.
44
What are the 2 main sources of external constraints for an IPS? 1. \_\_\_ 2. ___ \_\_\_
What are the 2 main sources of external constraints for an IPS? 1. **Regulation** 2. **Tax Status**
45
The ___ \_\_\_ ___ \_\_\_ ___ regulates management of private pension funds in the U.S. and the ___ \_\_\_ ___ establishes regulations for pension funds in the UK
The **Employee Retirement Income Security** **Act (ERISA)** regulates management of private pension funds in the U.S. and the **Financial** **Conduct** **Authority (FCA)** establishes regulations for pension funds in the UK
46
A typical IPS has seven common elements: 1. B\_\_\_ 2. O\_\_\_ 3. A\_\_\_ \_\_\_ 4. G\_\_\_ 5. M\_\_\_ \_\_\_ 6. R\_\_\_ and \_\_\_ 7. S\_\_\_ ___ \_\_\_
A typical IPS has seven common elements: ## Footnote **1. Background** **2. Objective** **3. Asset Classes** **4. Governance** **5. Manager Selection** **6. Reporting and Monitoring** **7. Strategic Asset Allocation**
47
What are the 3 components of an asset class return?
Short-term risk-free rate Expected Inflation Risk Premium
48
\_\_\_ asset allocation can add value if it is based on thorough analysis so that it incorporates the fact that financial markets are mostly efficient and it is not adversely affected by portfolio turnover costs.
**Tactical** asset allocation can add value if it is based on thorough analysis so that it incorporates the fact that financial markets are mostly efficient and it is not adversely affected by portfolio turnover costs.
49
What is the equation for the optimal weight of a risky asset in a portfolio that contains only one risky asset and one riskless asset?
50
What is the equation for finding optimal portfolios using MVO and liability values?
51
When the covariance between assets and liabilities, δ, is positive, the fund will hold (more/less) of the risky asset.
When the covariance between assets and liabilities, δ, is positive, the fund will hold **more** of the risky asset.
52
The graph of optimal portfolio's expected returns and standard deviations is referred to as the ___ \_\_\_.
The graph of optimal portfolio's expected returns and standard deviations is referred to as the **efficient frontier**.
53
In general, MVO does not generate realistic weights. The issue can be resolved by imposing \_\_\_.
In general, MVO does not generate realistic weights. The issue can be resolved by imposing **constraints**.
54
What is the equation for a new asset's hurdle rate?
55
Return parameters estimated using historical data (are/are not) reliable.
Return parameters estimated using historical data **are not** reliable.
56
Given portfolio optimizers' tendency to generate extreme portfolio weights, the optimizers tend to exaggerate estimation errors and are referred to as "\_\_\_ ___ ."
Given portfolio optimizers' tendency to generate extreme portfolio weights, the optimizers tend to exaggerate estimation errors and are referred to as "**error maximizers**."
57
Accuracy of estimated variance-covariance matrices is improved by using \_\_\_-\_\_\_ data.
Accuracy of estimated variance-covariance matrices is improved by using **higher-frequency** data.
58
Accuracy of estimated means is improved by using a ___ \_\_\_ of data.
Accuracy of estimated means is improved by using a **longer history** of data.
59
\_\_\_\_-based returns result in smoothed returns, and assets with smoothed returns have ___ return variances and covariances, which result in MVO generating portfolios that \_\_\_-allocate to these assets.
**Appraisal**-based returns result in smoothed returns, and assets with smoothed returns have **understated** return variances and covariances, which result in MVO generating portfolios that **over**-allocate to these assets.
60
The number of required covariance estimates can be reduced using ___ \_\_\_.
The number of required covariance estimates can be reduced using **factor models.**
61
When using factor models for covariance estimates, covariance is estimated as the relationship between each asset and a number of factors, using the ___ of a factor model.
When using factor models for covariance estimates, covariance is estimated as the relationship between each asset and a number of factors, using the **beta** of a factor model.
62
One issue with MVO is that is only considers the first two moments of a return distribution (\_\_\_ and ___ ) and ignores higher-order moments (\_\_\_ and ___ ).
One issue with MVO is that is only considers the first two moments of a return distribution (**mean** and **variance**) and ignores higher-order moments (**skewness** and **kurtosis**).
63
All else equal, an asset with negative skew has a (higher/lower) expected return than one with positive skew.
All else equal, an asset with negative skew has a **higher** expected return than one with positive skew.
64
MVO tends to (overweight/underweight) assets with negative skews.
MVO tends to **overweight** assets with negative skews.
65
\_\_\_ and ___ asset allocation model addresses the issue of extreme portfolio weights generated by MVO and enables historical returns to be adjusted to reflect portfolio manager's views about future returns.
**Black** and **Litterman** asset allocation model addresses the issue of extreme portfolio weights generated by MVO and enables historical returns to be adjusted to reflect portfolio manager's views about future returns.
66
The ___ and ___ model starts with the market equilibrium expected returns and is tilted away from the market portfolio in the direction of the manager's views.
The **Black** and **Litterman** model starts with the market equilibrium expected returns and is tilted away from the market portfolio in the direction of the manager's views.
67
In practice, investors add (too many/not enough) constraints to the MVO process.
In practice, investors add **too** **many** constraints to the MVO process.
68
Correlation Coefficient (Equation)