Asset Allocation in a Value-at-Risk Framework

Abstract

In this paper we develop an asset allocation model which allocates assets by maximising expected return subject to the constraint that the expected maximum loss should meet the Value-at-Risk limits set by the risk manager. Similar to the mean-variance approach a performance index like the Sharpe index is constructed. Furthermore it is shown that the model nests the mean-variance approach in case of normally distributed expected returns. We provide an empirical analysis using two assets: US stocks and bonds. The results highlight the influence of non-normal characteristics of the expected return distribution on the optimal asset allocation.