Optimal portfolio selection in a Value-at-Risk framework

In this paper, we develop a portfolio selection model which allocates financial 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 when expected returns are assumed to be normally distributed we show that the model provides almost identical results to the mean-variance approach. We provide an empirical analysis using two risky assets: US stocks and bonds. The results highlight the influence of both non-normal characteristics of the expected return distribution and the length of investment time horizon on the optimal portfolio selection. © 2001 Elsevier Science B.V.