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CHAPTER 8: INDEX MODELS
PROBLEM SETS
1. The advantage of the index model, compared to the Markowitz procedure, is the vastly reduced number of estimates required. In addition, the large number of estimates required for the Markowitz procedure can result in large aggregate estimation errors when implementing the procedure. The disadvantage of the index model arises from the model’s assumption that return residuals are uncorrelated. This assumption will be incorrect if the index used omits a significant risk factor.
2. The trade-off entailed in departing from pure indexing in favor of an actively managed portfolio is between the probability (or the possibility) of superior performance against the certainty of additional management fees.
3. The answer to this question can be seen from the formulas for w 0 (equation 8.20) and w* (equation 8.21). Other things held equal, w 0 is smaller the greater the residual variance of a candidate asset for inclusion in the portfolio. Further, we see that regardless of beta, when w 0 decreases, so does w*. Therefore, other things equal, the greater the residual variance of an asset, the smaller its position in the optimal risky portfolio. That is, increased firm-specific risk reduces the extent to which an active investor will be willing to depart from an indexed portfolio.
4. The total risk premium equals: ( + (( × market risk premium). We call alpha a “nonmarket” return premium because it is the portion of the return premium that is independent of market performance.
The Sharpe ratio indicates that a higher alpha makes a security more desirable. Alpha, the numerator of the Sharpe ratio, is a fixed number that is not affected by the standard deviation of returns, the denominator of the Sharpe ratio. Hence, an increase in alpha increases the Sharpe ratio. Since the portfolio alpha is the portfolio-weighted average of the securities’ alphas, then, holding all other parameters fixed, an
PROBLEM SETS
1. The advantage of the index model, compared to the Markowitz procedure, is the vastly reduced number of estimates required. In addition, the large number of estimates required for the Markowitz procedure can result in large aggregate estimation errors when implementing the procedure. The disadvantage of the index model arises from the model’s assumption that return residuals are uncorrelated. This assumption will be incorrect if the index used omits a significant risk factor.
2. The trade-off entailed in departing from pure indexing in favor of an actively managed portfolio is between the probability (or the possibility) of superior performance against the certainty of additional management fees.
3. The answer to this question can be seen from the formulas for w 0 (equation 8.20) and w* (equation 8.21). Other things held equal, w 0 is smaller the greater the residual variance of a candidate asset for inclusion in the portfolio. Further, we see that regardless of beta, when w 0 decreases, so does w*. Therefore, other things equal, the greater the residual variance of an asset, the smaller its position in the optimal risky portfolio. That is, increased firm-specific risk reduces the extent to which an active investor will be willing to depart from an indexed portfolio.
4. The total risk premium equals: ( + (( × market risk premium). We call alpha a “nonmarket” return premium because it is the portion of the return premium that is independent of market performance.
The Sharpe ratio indicates that a higher alpha makes a security more desirable. Alpha, the numerator of the Sharpe ratio, is a fixed number that is not affected by the standard deviation of returns, the denominator of the Sharpe ratio. Hence, an increase in alpha increases the Sharpe ratio. Since the portfolio alpha is the portfolio-weighted average of the securities’ alphas, then, holding all other parameters fixed, an