Comparison of multicriteria decision-making methods in portfolio formation

Abstract

Investors apply various methods to select stocks and construct an investment portfolio. In the majority of methods, the principle of diversification is relevant. Also, sometimes investors‘ behaviour generate biases related to portfolio formation. Multicriteria decision-making methods can overcome such shortcomings of investors' decision-making; thus, they are widely used for portfolio selection. In the performed research, the portfolio is constructed from the stocks of the Spanish stock market. Stocks are selected based on financial indicators. SAW and TOPSIS multicriteria methods are used to range the suitable stocks. Portfolio weights are proportionate to the obtained multicriteria rank. Characteristics of the final selected stocks are presented graphically. Expected portfolio return and risk are also described when comparing two portfolios. The results of the research prove that multicriteria decision-making methods are suitable for portfolio formation. However, such portfolios should be kept for a long time in order to receive a return.