Benchmarking Alternative Investments
Alter alternative investments are notoriously difficult to benchmark. The selection of an appropriate... Read More
Risk attribution identifies the sources of risk in portfolios.
$$ \textbf{Type of Attribution Analysis} \\
\begin{array}{c|c|c}
\textbf{Process} & \textbf{Relative} & \textbf{Absolute} \\ \hline
\textbf{Bottom-up} & {\text{Position’s contribution to} \\ \text{tracking risk}} & \\ \hline
\textbf{Top-Down} & { \text{Analyze relative} \\ \text{allocation and selection} \\ \text{decisions based on} \\ \text{tracking risk}} & {\text{Factor’s marginal contribution} \\ \text{to total risk and} \\ \text{specific risk}} \\ \hline
\textbf{Factor-Based} & {\text{Factor’s marginal} \\ \text{contribution to tracking } \\ \text{risk and to active} \\ \text{specific risk}} &
\end{array} $$
Risk attribution is meant to be combined with return attribution in order to give the full picture of the manager's active decisions. Risk attribution alone will only identify where risk has been introduced.
This same level of analysis can also be applied to country allocation, sector allocations, or any other relevant choices made by the investment manager. The important consideration is that the analysis is performed with consideration to the manager's investment process. As an example, a European equity investment strategy might use a country allocation process with security selection within each country or a sector allocation process with security selection within each industrial sector.
Question
Which of the following mandate types identifies sources of tracking risk?
- Absolute.
- Benchmark-relative.
- Bottom-up.
Solution
The correct answer is B.
A “benchmark-relative” mandate type specifically involves comparing a portfolio's performance to a benchmark index. It identifies sources of tracking risk, which is the difference between the portfolio's return and the benchmark's return.
A is incorrect. An “absolute” mandate type typically does not focus on tracking risk or relative performance to a benchmark. Instead, it aims to achieve positive returns or meet a specific target without direct reference to a benchmark.
C is incorrect. A “bottom-up” mandate type typically pertains to the investment approach used in security selection and analysis, focusing on individual securities rather than tracking risk. It is more related to the process of security selection and fundamental analysis.
Reading 12: Portfolio Performance Evaluation
Los 12 (g) Discuss considerations in selecting a risk attribution approach