Mean-Variance Optimization

Exploratory Mean-Variance with Jumps: An Equilibrium Approach ArXiv ID: 2512.09224 “View on arXiv” Authors: Yuling Max Chen, Bin Li, David Saunders Abstract Revisiting the continuous-time Mean-Variance (MV) Portfolio Optimization problem, we model the market dynamics with a jump-diffusion process and apply Reinforcement Learning (RL) techniques to facilitate informed exploration within the control space. We recognize the time-inconsistency of the MV problem and adopt the time-inconsistent control (TIC) approach to analytically solve for an exploratory equilibrium investment policy, which is a Gaussian distribution centered on the equilibrium control of the classical MV problem. Our approach accounts for time-inconsistent preferences and actions, and our equilibrium policy is the best option an investor can take at any given time during the investment period. Moreover, we leverage the martingale properties of the equilibrium policy, design a RL model, and propose an Actor-Critic RL algorithm. All of our RL model parameters converge to the corresponding true values in a simulation study. Our numerical study on 24 years of real market data shows that the proposed RL model is profitable in 13 out of 14 tests, demonstrating its practical applicability in real world investment. ...

Basis Immunity: Isotropy as a Regularizer for Uncertainty ArXiv ID: 2511.13334 “View on arXiv” Authors: Florent Segonne Abstract Diversification is a cornerstone of robust portfolio construction, yet its application remains fraught with challenges due to model uncertainty and estimation errors. Practitioners often rely on sophisticated, proprietary heuristics to navigate these issues. Among recent advancements, Agnostic Risk Parity introduces eigenrisk parity (ERP), an innovative approach that leverages isotropy to evenly allocate risk across eigenmodes, enhancing portfolio stability. In this paper, we review and extend the isotropy-enforced philosophy of ERP proposing a versatile framework that integrates mean-variance optimization with an isotropy constraint acting as a geometric regularizer against signal uncertainty. The resulting allocations decompose naturally into canonical portfolios, smoothly interpolating between full isotropy (closed-form isotropic-mean allocation) and pure mean-variance through a tunable isotropy penalty. Beyond methodology, we revisit fundamental concepts and clarify foundational links between isotropy, canonical portfolios, principal portfolios, primal versus dual representations, and intrinsic basis-invariant metrics for returns, risk, and isotropy. Applied to sector trend-following, the isotropy constraint systematically induces negative average-signal exposure – a structural, parameter-robust crash hedge. This work offers both a practical, theoretically grounded tool for resilient allocation under signal uncertainty and a pedagogical synthesis of modern portfolio concepts. ...

Competitive optimal portfolio selection under mean-variance criterion ArXiv ID: 2511.05270 “View on arXiv” Authors: Guojiang Shao, Zuo Quan Xu, Qi Zhang Abstract We investigate a portfolio selection problem involving multi competitive agents, each exhibiting mean-variance preferences. Unlike classical models, each agent’s utility is determined by their relative wealth compared to the average wealth of all agents, introducing a competitive dynamic into the optimization framework. To address this game-theoretic problem, we first reformulate the mean-variance criterion as a constrained, non-homogeneous stochastic linear-quadratic control problem and derive the corresponding optimal feedback strategies. The existence of Nash equilibria is shown to depend on the well-posedness of a complex, coupled system of equations. Employing decoupling techniques, we reduce the well-posedness analysis to the solvability of a novel class of multi-dimensional linear backward stochastic differential equations (BSDEs). We solve a new type of nonlinear BSDEs (including the above linear one as a special case) using fixed-point theory. Depending on the interplay between market and competition parameters, three distinct scenarios arise: (i) the existence of a unique Nash equilibrium, (ii) the absence of any Nash equilibrium, and (iii) the existence of infinitely many Nash equilibria. These scenarios are rigorously characterized and discussed in detail. ...

Portfolio Optimization of Indonesian Banking Stocks Using Robust Optimization ArXiv ID: 2510.15288 “View on arXiv” Authors: Visca Tri Winarty, Sena Safarina Abstract Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of investors in the Indonesia Stock Exchange has steadily increased, emphasizing the importance of portfolio optimization in balancing risk and return. The classical mean-variance optimization model, while widely applied, depends on historical return and risk estimates that are uncertain and may result in suboptimal portfolios. To address this limitation, robust optimization incorporates uncertainty sets to improve portfolio reliability under market fluctuations. This study constructs such sets using moving-window and bootstrapping methods and applies them to Indonesian banking stock data with varying risk-aversion parameters. The results show that robust optimization with the moving-window method, particularly with a smaller risk-aversion parameter, provides a better risk-return trade-off compared to the bootstrapping approach. These findings highlight the potential of the moving-window method to generate more effective portfolio strategies for risk-tolerant investors. ...

Factor-Based Conditional Diffusion Model for Portfolio Optimization ArXiv ID: 2509.22088 “View on arXiv” Authors: Xuefeng Gao, Mengying He, Xuedong He Abstract We propose a novel conditional diffusion model for portfolio optimization that learns the cross-sectional distribution of next-day stock returns conditioned on asset-specific factors. The model builds on the Diffusion Transformer with token-wise conditioning, linking each asset’s return to its own factor vector while capturing cross-asset dependencies. Generated return samples are used for daily mean-variance optimization under realistic constraints. Empirical results on the Chinese A-share market show that our approach consistently outperforms benchmark methods based on standard empirical and shrinkage-based estimators across multiple metrics. ...

Two Stochastic Control Methods for Mean-Variance Portfolio Selection of Jump Diffusions and Their Relationship ArXiv ID: 2508.01138 “View on arXiv” Authors: Qiyue Zhang, Jingtao Shi Abstract This paper is concerned with the maximum principle and dynamic programming principle for mean-variance portfolio selection of jump diffusions and their relationship. First, the optimal portfolio and efficient frontier of the problem are obtained using both methods. Furthermore, the relationship between these two methods is investigated. Specially, the connections between the adjoint processes and value function are given. ...

Kernel Learning for Mean-Variance Trading Strategies ArXiv ID: 2507.10701 “View on arXiv” Authors: Owen Futter, Nicola Muca Cirone, Blanka Horvath Abstract In this article, we develop a kernel-based framework for constructing dynamic, pathdependent trading strategies under a mean-variance optimisation criterion. Building on the theoretical results of (Muca Cirone and Salvi, 2025), we parameterise trading strategies as functions in a reproducing kernel Hilbert space (RKHS), enabling a flexible and non-Markovian approach to optimal portfolio problems. We compare this with the signature-based framework of (Futter, Horvath, Wiese, 2023) and demonstrate that both significantly outperform classical Markovian methods when the asset dynamics or predictive signals exhibit temporal dependencies for both synthetic and market-data examples. Using kernels in this context provides significant modelling flexibility, as the choice of feature embedding can range from randomised signatures to the final layers of neural network architectures. Crucially, our framework retains closed-form solutions and provides an alternative to gradient-based optimisation. ...

skfolio: Portfolio Optimization in Python ArXiv ID: 2507.04176 “View on arXiv” Authors: Carlo Nicolini, Matteo Manzi, Hugo Delatte Abstract Portfolio optimization is a fundamental challenge in quantitative finance, requiring robust computational tools that integrate statistical rigor with practical implementation. We present skfolio, an open-source Python library for portfolio construction and risk management that seamlessly integrates with the scikit-learn ecosystem. skfolio provides a unified framework for diverse allocation strategies, from classical mean-variance optimization to modern clustering-based methods, state-of-the-art financial estimators with native interfaces, and advanced cross-validation techniques tailored for financial time series. By adhering to scikit-learn’s fit-predict-transform paradigm, the library enables researchers and practitioners to leverage machine learning workflows for portfolio optimization, promoting reproducibility and transparency in quantitative finance. ...

Semiparametric Dynamic Copula Models for Portfolio Optimization ArXiv ID: 2504.12266 “View on arXiv” Authors: Unknown Abstract The mean-variance portfolio model, based on the risk-return trade-off for optimal asset allocation, remains foundational in portfolio optimization. However, its reliance on restrictive assumptions about asset return distributions limits its applicability to real-world data. Parametric copula structures provide a novel way to overcome these limitations by accounting for asymmetry, heavy tails, and time-varying dependencies. Existing methods have been shown to rely on fixed or static dependence structures, thus overlooking the dynamic nature of the financial market. In this study, a semiparametric model is proposed that combines non-parametrically estimated copulas with parametrically estimated marginals to allow all parameters to dynamically evolve over time. A novel framework was developed that integrates time-varying dependence modeling with flexible empirical beta copula structures. Marginal distributions were modeled using the Skewed Generalized T family. This effectively captures asymmetry and heavy tails and makes the model suitable for predictive inferences in real world scenarios. Furthermore, the model was applied to rolling windows of financial returns from the USA, India and Hong Kong economies to understand the influence of dynamic market conditions. The approach addresses the limitations of models that rely on parametric assumptions. By accounting for asymmetry, heavy tails, and cross-correlated asset prices, the proposed method offers a robust solution for optimizing diverse portfolios in an interconnected financial market. Through adaptive modeling, it allows for better management of risk and return across varying economic conditions, leading to more efficient asset allocation and improved portfolio performance. ...

Exploratory Mean-Variance Portfolio Optimization with Regime-Switching Market Dynamics ArXiv ID: 2501.16659 “View on arXiv” Authors: Unknown Abstract Considering the continuous-time Mean-Variance (MV) portfolio optimization problem, we study a regime-switching market setting and apply reinforcement learning (RL) techniques to assist informed exploration within the control space. We introduce and solve the Exploratory Mean Variance with Regime Switching (EMVRS) problem. We also present a Policy Improvement Theorem. Further, we recognize that the widely applied Temporal Difference (TD) learning is not adequate for the EMVRS context, hence we consider Orthogonality Condition (OC) learning, leveraging the martingale property of the induced optimal value function from the analytical solution to EMVRS. We design a RL algorithm that has more meaningful parameterization using the market parameters and propose an updating scheme for each parameter. Our empirical results demonstrate the superiority of OC learning over TD learning with a clear convergence of the market parameters towards their corresponding ``grounding true" values in a simulated market scenario. In a real market data study, EMVRS with OC learning outperforms its counterparts with the highest mean and reasonably low volatility of the annualized portfolio returns. ...