What is an Optimal Portfolio| Features, Benefits and Example (2024)

Rahul wants to invest in the stock market. He knows he needs to manage risk and maximise returns. He aims to minimise the chances of losing money while earning safe profit. What can he do? He must opt for an optimal portfolio.

This means he must have a smart mix of investments that balances these goals by spreading his money across different types of assets. This way, if one investment isn’t performing well, others might be, which can help cover up any losses.

Let us understand the concept of optimal portfolio theory!

Optimal Portfolio Theory

The optimal portfolio theory defines the portfolio that offers the highest expected return for a given level of risk or the minimum level of risk for a given expected return. The theory is based on the idea that investors are risk-averse. Thus, they often look to maximise their returns while minimising their risk. The optimal portfolio theory supports the idea of diversification to reduce unsystematic risk to achieve more stable and predictable returns.

Optimal Portfolio Meaning

It is a collection of assets that assist an investor in meeting his or her financial objectives. An optimal portfolio includes assets that match the investor’s needs, balancing risk and potential returns according to their investment plan. This also means that risk and return cannot be viewed separately. To achieve significant profits, you must take on more risk.

An optimal portfolio is also known as an efficient portfolio.

It suggests that you should spread your investments across different types of assets. The idea is to create a portfolio that gives you the highest returns for the level of risk you can tolerate.

Understanding the Efficient Frontier in Optimal Portfolio Management

The efficient frontier shows the best possible returns a portfolio can achieve for a given level of risk or the lowest risk for a given level of return. Graphically, it’s a curve that plots different combinations of assets. Optimal portfolios lie on this curve, effectively balancing risk and return. If you adopt diversification, it will help move portfolios toward this frontier.

Practical Application and Rebalancing of Optimal Portfolio

Optimal portfolios require regular monitoring and rebalancing. This involves adjusting the asset mix to maintain the desired risk-return profile as market conditions or investor objectives change.

• Monitoring: Keeping a close watch on how each asset in your portfolio performs.
• Rebalancing: Adjusting the portfolio occasionally to maintain your desired risk level.
• Market Conditions: Adjust your portfolio in response to economic and market trends changes.
• Investor Objectives: Aligning investments with long-term financial goals.

How Do You Determine Optimal Portfolio?

Judging whether or not a portfolio is efficient or optimal is somewhat subjective. This is because what works well for one investor may or may not work well for another with a similar risk-taking ability.

To assess whether a portfolio is optimal, you must consider your investment tastes and aims. This often involves analysing your overall financial strategy.

1. A conservative investor may be quite uncomfortable with purchasing assets with high volatility.

In this case, the best way to design your portfolio is to choose assets that offer lower risk. You can do that while aiming for the highest return possible, considering how much the market might move up and down.

2. On the other hand, an investor who is willing to take risks and wants to earn a higher rate of return will include equity shares in his optimal portfolio.

Risk-Return in tune with Optimal Portfolio

When we talk about designing an optimal portfolio, we mean achieving the expected return. Five major types of risk in the stock market need to be considered:

• Time value
• Interest rate
• Default
• Market Risk
• Asset-level risk

How does a risk-return matrix come about?

1. The most fundamental type of investment is government Treasury Bills, or call money.

This has the lowest amount of risk and the lowest returns.

2. Then, there are long-term government bonds. As their interest rates rise, the value of these bonds falls.

As a result, investors expect compensation for this risk.

3. The third category includes private and corporate bonds, which are likewise exposed to default risk and offer higher rates of return than government bonds.
4. Then, there are index funds. These require larger returns than any other type of fixed contract.
5. Lastly, diversified equities and sectoral funds carry risks associated with a specific industry, firm, or asset type.
   As a result, these asset classes demand the highest level of returns.

Now, why do we specify the categories of investment and asset class?

It’s to ensure that each person’s optimal portfolio matches their specific risk and return expectations.

Let’s understand the optimal portfolio theory here:

A strategy like 70% in stocks, 20% in bonds, and 10% in cash is seen as risky. However, a mix like 20% stocks, 40% bonds, and 40% cash is very safe.

However, the mix that each investor chooses is what we call their optimal portfolio.

Optimal Portfolio Example

There may be different instances of optimal theory, as already explained.

Let’s take a look at a few optimal portfolio examples:

An optimal portfolio for a retiree with a low-risk tolerance might include a mix of fixed-income securities. This can be bonds and debentures and a smaller allocation to equities.

The goal of this portfolio would be to generate a constant stream of income while minimising volatility.

On the other hand, an optimal portfolio for a young investor with a high-risk tolerance might include a larger allocation to growth-oriented investments. This can be real estate or commodities.

The goal of this portfolio would be to maximise returns over the long term while accepting a higher level of risk.

It’s important to remember that everyone’s optimal portfolio depends on their own investing goals. This means the amount of risk they’re comfortable with, as well as other personal factors.

Conclusion

Investing in the stock market is an exciting experience. To make the most of it, you must focus on an optimal portfolio. It whole idea is to be aware of how much risk you’re comfortable with and what returns you expect.