Factor Investing & Asset Pricing

We open up the black box behind Deep Learning for portfolio optimization and prove that a sufficiently wide and arbitrarily deep neural network (DNN) trained to maximize the Sharpe ratio of the Stochastic Discount Factor (SDF) is equivalent to a large factor model (LFM): A linear factor pricing mode

This paper introduces a unified framework for adaptive portfolio management, integrating dynamic Black-Litterman (BL) optimization with the general factor model, Elastic Net regression, and mean-variance portfolio optimization, which allows us to generate investors views and mitigate potential estim

The Nested factor model was introduced by Chicheportiche et al. to represent non-linear correlations between stocks. Stock returns are explained by a standard factor model, but the (log)-volatilities of factors and residuals are themselves decomposed into factor modes, with a common dominant volatil

This study explores the application of anomaly detection (AD) methods in imbalanced learning tasks, focusing on fraud detection using real online credit card payment data. We assess the performance of several recent AD methods and compare their effectiveness against standard supervised learning meth

We examine the effectiveness of applying a trend following methodology to global asset allocation between equities, bonds, commodities and real estate. The appl

I derive a size premium from the constant-product automated market maker used to price Bittensor subnet tokens and test the prediction using daily data on 128 subnets. A small-minus-big factor earns 1.01% daily (Newey-West t = 3.28). The December 2025 halving of token emissions, which the theory pre

We introduce a simple portfolio optimization strategy using ESG data with the Black-Litterman allocation framework. ESG scores are used as a bias for Stein shrinkage estimation of equilibrium risk premiums used in assigning Black-Litterman asset weights. Assets are modeled as multivariate affine nor

Probabilistic forecasting is crucial in multivariate financial time-series for constructing efficient portfolios that account for complex cross-sectional dependencies. In this paper, we propose Diffolio, a diffusion model designed for multivariate financial time-series forecasting and portfolio cons

Foundation models - already transformative in domains such as natural language processing - are now starting to emerge for time-series tasks in finance. While these pretrained architectures promise versatile predictive signals, little is known about how they shape the risk profiles of the trading st

We propose a new pseudo-Siamese Network for Asset Pricing (SNAP) model, based on deep learning approaches, for conditional asset pricing. Our model allows for the deep alpha, deep beta and deep factor risk premia conditional on high dimensional observable information of financial characteristics and

A recent line of research has argued that causal factor models are necessary for portfolio optimization, claiming that structurally misspecified models inevitably produce inverted signals and nonviable frontiers. This paper challenges that view. We show, through theoretical analysis, simulation coun

This paper investigates the impact of posterior drift on out-of-sample forecasting accuracy in overparametrized machine learning models. We document the loss in performance when the loadings of the data generating process change between the training and testing samples. This matters crucially in set

By capturing outliers, volatility clustering, and tail dependence in the asset return distribution, we build a sophisticated model to predict the downside risk of the global financial market. We further develop a dynamic regime switching model that can forecast real-time risk regime of the market. O

We introduce a novel proxy for firm linkages, Characteristic Vector Linkages (CVLs). We use this concept to estimate firm linkages, first through Euclidean similarity, and then by applying Quantum Cognition Machine Learning (QCML) to similarity learning. We demonstrate that both methods can be used

Measuring the contribution of a bank or an insurance company to overall systemic risk is a key concern, particularly in the aftermath of the 2007–2009 financial crisis and the 2020 downturn. In this paper, we derive worst-case and best-case bounds for the marginal expected shortfall (MES) – a key

As a fundamental method in economics and finance, the factor model has been extensively utilized in quantitative investment. In recent years, there has been a paradigm shift from traditional linear models with expert-designed factors to more flexible nonlinear machine learning-based models with data

The primary objective of this research is to build a Momentum Transformer that is expected to outperform benchmark time-series momentum and mean-reversion trading strategies. We extend the ideas introduced in the paper Trading with the Momentum Transformer: An Intelligent and Interpretable Architect

Over the past few decades, machine learning models have been extremely successful. As a result of axiomatic attribution methods, feature contributions have been explained more clearly and rigorously. There are, however, few studies that have examined domain knowledge in conjunction with the axioms.

We develop novel estimation procedures with supporting econometric theory for a dynamic latent-factor model with high-dimensional asset characteristics, that is, the number of characteristics is on the order of the sample size. Utilizing the Double Selection Lasso estimator, our procedure employs re

We take inspiration from statistical physics to develop a novel conceptual framework for the analysis of financial markets. We model the order book dynamics as a motion of particles and define the momentum measure of the system as a way to summarise and assess the state of the market. Our approach p