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Optimal Trading of a Mean-Reverting Process. MS&E 444, Spring 2008. Shih-Arng (Tony) Pan, Wei Wang, Chen Tze Wee, Ren Fung Yu. Introduction. X t is the spread between two correlated stocks: To maximize power utility of wealth at T, the optimal position of X t to hold is:.
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Optimal Trading of a Mean-Reverting Process MS&E 444, Spring 2008 Shih-Arng (Tony) Pan, Wei Wang, Chen Tze Wee, Ren Fung Yu
Introduction • Xt is the spread between two correlated stocks: • To maximize power utility of wealth at T, the optimal position of Xt to hold is:
Choosing correlated stocks • Stocks were chosen from the S&P 100 index • Chose stock pairs with the highest correlation of daily returns (>0.75). • Examples: • International Paper/Weyerhauser • Merrill Lynch/Morgan Stanley • Chevron/Exxon Mobil • Baker Hughes/Schlumberger
Unadjusted Adjusted
Parameters • Parameters k and σ were estimated using MLE using January 2003 to December 2004 data. • The strategy was implemented after January 2005, out of sample. • Power Utility parameter: γ= -0.1 • Transaction cost: 0.15% of initial wealth (constant)
Maximize Immediate Utility w/ Scaled MarginsChevron-Exxon (k=5.51, σ=6.47)
Annual Return Histogram (18 pairs) Moving Window: Return = 1.0764 Volatility = 0.3428 No Moving Window: Return = 1.0418 Volatility = 0.5511
Conclusion • Theoretical strategy too risky for market conditions. • Maximizing immediate utility w/ scaled margin strategy shows promise. • Moving Window parameter estimation improves returns, but not enough to beat market. • Better stock pairs, or a process with even more memory is required.