MATH 11158 : Optimization Methods in Finance
Assignment 3
2 April 2022 Due: 11 April, 2022, 4pm
Question 1 (SOCP, 10 marks ). Let Q be a real symmetric matrix with a single negative eigenvalue
and consider a quadratic constraint
x Qx+ a x+ b ≤ 0.
Show how this constraint can be formulated as a second-order conic constraint, and clearly state any
assumptions you need to make.
For the next set of questions, consider the problem with the 8 market indices and the data in the
file indices2.csv that you have used in Tutorial 4 and Assignment 2. Batch this data per quarter
as done before.
We wish to find a portfolio that invests in at least m assets, for m ∈ {1, . . . , 8}. For each of
the indices, any investment must be at least 5% of the total portfolio. Investment in the three S&P
indices together cannot be more than 30% of the portfolio, for Dow and Nasdaq together it cannot
be more than 40% of the portfolio, and for S&P SmallCap and Russell 2000 (which are both for
small-cap stocks) it cannot be more than 25% of the portfolio. We must invest in at least one but
no more than two of the S&P indices, and we must invest in at least one of Russell, Barron’s or
Wilshire. Furthermore, the investment in Dow must be at least as much as that in the greater of
Barron’s and Wilshire.
Question 2 (Semidefinite relaxation, 35 marks ). Consider the same 10 scenarios as in Assignment
2, for each asset and each quarter. Consider the tracking error w.r.t. the fully-diversified portfolio
(equal investment in each asset) and let the net tracking error be the maximum of tracking errors
for each quarter.
1. Formulate a SDP relaxation of the problem of finding a feasible portfolio with minimum net
tracking error and meeting required target return rate. (8 marks)
2. Solve your SDP for m ∈ {1, . . . , 8} and a range of target returns. (6 marks)
3. Plot and compare the appropriate efficient frontiers in one single figure. Compare the portfolio
compositions in one single figure (instead of the area plot we have used so far, you can use
bar graphs). Also comment on the highest return rate for which you are able to find a feasible
portfolio. (8 marks)
4. Give an algorithm that uses the SDP solution to find a feasible portfolio. If your algorithm
solves any optimization problems, then you cannot use any integer variables. (10 marks)
5. Test your algorithm numerically on the dataset and comment on the quality of the portfolios
you get. (3 marks)
Question 3 (Stochastic gradient method, 20 marks ). Consider the stochastic investment problem
as before. However, this time we will not use the same 10 scenario discretization.
1. Formulate the investment problem as stochastic optimization and clearly state your decision
variables and recourse function. (5 marks)
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MATH 11158 : Optimization Methods in Finance
2. For each value of m ∈ {1, . . . , 8}, solve the stochastic optimization problem by the stochastic
gradient method, using step sizes of 1/k in iteration k and randomly generating N equally
likely scenarios at each iteration, where you should test with N ∈ {50, 100, 200}. Fix the
random seed in MATLAB using (10 marks)
rng(10,’twister’);
As early termination criteria, you can stop your algorithm when either of the following happens:
you reach 1000 iterations or the changes in objective value between consecutive iterations is
no more than = 10 4 for each of the past 10 iterations.
3. Plot the portfolio compositions using bar graphs in a single figure for m = 4 and different
values of N . (5 marks)
Question 4 (Benders method, 15 marks ). Take the previous question and solve it by the Ben-
ders decomposition method, using the same early termination criteria and giving the same plots.
Comment and compare the quality of portfolios found by the two algorithms.
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