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A Correlation-Based Portfolio Choice Algorithm

In: Handbook of Investment Analysis, Portfolio Management, and Financial Derivatives In 4 Volumes

Author

Listed:
  • Jonathan Ross
  • Joshua Madsen
  • Gordon Alexander

Abstract

Analyzing the correlation matrix of listed stocks, we identify “singletons” that table minimal cross-sectional correlations. Portfolios comprising 100–500 singletons all have lower betas and standard deviations and, correspondingly, higher average Sharpe and Treynor ratios than the Center for Research in Security Prices (CRSP) universe over the sample time period 1950–2017. Portfolios of singletons chosen from subsets of the CRSP universe, including small-value, low-variability, and momentum stocks, similarly realize lower portfolio standard deviations and higher risk-adjusted returns. These well-diversified portfolios suggest that the positive abnormal returns to low-beta portfolios are driven by their component stocks having low average cross-sectional correlation. One of the authors invested $20,000 of his own money in the algorithm-chosen 240 stock singleton portfolio over a 4-year period (2015–2018) and beat the market year-by-year on a risk-adjusted basis just as our results predicted.

Suggested Citation

  • Jonathan Ross & Joshua Madsen & Gordon Alexander, 2024. "A Correlation-Based Portfolio Choice Algorithm," World Scientific Book Chapters, in: Cheng Few Lee & Alice C Lee & John C Lee (ed.), Handbook of Investment Analysis, Portfolio Management, and Financial Derivatives In 4 Volumes, chapter 48, pages 1583-1600, World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd..
    • Handle: RePEc:wsi:wschap:9789811269943_0048
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    Keywords

    Financial Accounting; Financial Auditing; Mutual Funds; Hedge Funds; Asset Pricing; Options; Portfolio Analysis; Risk Management; Investment Analysis; Momentum Analysis; Behavior Analysis; Futures; Index Futures; CDCs; Financial Econometrics; Statistics; Financial Derivatives; Financial Accounting;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions
    • G12 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Asset Pricing; Trading Volume; Bond Interest Rates
    • G1 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets
    • M41 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - Accounting
    • M42 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - Auditing
    • G3 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance

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