Date of Award
5-2020
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Departmental Honors
Department
Accounting
Abstract
There exists an efficient frontier upon which there is an optimal point of allocation of an investor’s assets among different types of investment vehicles. Identifying this point and allocating a portfolio accordingly allow an investor to capture the highest market return with the least amount of risk. This research study offers a model which can be used to find this optimal investment allocation and discusses the challenges and assumptions associated with using it. Using techniques discussed in Markowitz (1952), we obtain the optimal allocation of wealth for two portfolios of 13 and 12 assets, respectively. Such a model is not intended to portray the “perfect” portfolio allocation but provides context for decision making based upon the desire for high returns and investor’s aversion to risk. This model allows for optimal allocation, both with and without constraints to short selling. The results from the models have important implications by providing investment advisors more sophistication when assigning allocation weights. Instead of assigning these weights arbitrarily, which is common in wealth advisory, our model provides direction for obtaining the weights corresponding to the efficient frontier.
Recommended Citation
Parkinson, Charity Smith, "Maximizing Returns for Investors Using Modern Portfolio Theory and the Efficient Frontier" (2020). Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects. 494.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/honors/494
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Faculty Mentor
Benjamin Blau