Portfolio Expected Return and Variance of Return

The expected return on the portfolio (E(Rp))(E(R_p)) is a weighted average of the expected returns (R1 to Rn)R_1\ to\ R_n) on the component securities using their respective proportions of the portfolio in currency units as weights (w1 to w2)(w_1\ to\ w_2): Portfolio variance is as follows: Covariance Given two random variables RiR_i and RjR_j, the covariance between RiR_i and…

Lognormal Distribution and Continuous Compounding

The Lognormal Distribution A random variable Y follows a lognormal distribution if its natural logarithm, ln Y, is normally distributed. The reverse is also true: If the natural logarithm of a random variable Y, ln Y, is normally distributed, then Y follows a lognormal distribution.  Like the normal distribution, the lognormal distribution is completely described by two parameters. Unlike many other distributions,…

Monte Carlo Simulation

A characteristic of Monte Carlo simulation is the generation of a very large number of random samples from a specified probability distribution or distributions to obtain the likelihood of a range of results. Another important use of Monte Carlo simulation in investments is as a tool for valuing complex securities for which no analytic pricing…

Bootstrapping

Resampling, repeatedly draws samples from the original observed data sample for the statistical inference of population parameters. Boostrap, one of the most popular resampling methods, uses computer simulation for statistical inference without using an analytical formula such as a z-statistic or t-statistic. Both the bootstrap and the Monte Carlo simulation build on repetitive sampling. Bootstrapping…

Sampling Methods

Probability sampling gives every member of the population an equal chance of being selected. Non-probability sampling depends on factors other than probability considerations, such as a sampler’s judgment or the convenience of access data. Consequently, there is a significant risk that non-probability sampling might generate a non-representative sample. Simple Random Sampling A sampling plan is…

Central Limit Theorem and Inference

The Central Limit Theorem Central Limit Theorem. Given a population described by any probability distribution having mean µ and finite variance σ2, the sampling distribution of the sample mean X‾\bar{X} computed from random samples of size n from this population will be approximately normal with mean µ (the population mean) and variance σ2/n (the population variance divided by n) when the…

Tests of Return and Risk in Finance

The sampling distribution of the mean, when the population standard deviation is unknown, is t-distributed, and when the population standard deviation is known, it is normally distributed, or z-distributed. Since the population standard deviation is unknown in almost all cases, we will focus on the use of a t-distributed test statistic. Test Concerning Differences between Means with Dependent…