In this paper, we study the distributional properties of the tangency portfolio (TP) weights assuming a normal distribution of the logarithmic returns. We derive a stochastic representation of the TP weights that fully describes their distribution. Under a high-dimensional asymptotic regime, i.e., the dimension of the portfolio, k, and the sample size, n, approach infinity such that k/n -> c is an element of (0, 1), we deliver the asymptotic distribution of the TP weights. Moreover, weconsider tests about the elements of the TP and derive the asymptotic distribution of the test statistic under the null and alternative hypotheses. In a simulation study, we compare the asymptotic distribution of the TP weights with the exact finite sample density. Wealso compare the high-dimensional asymptotic test with an exact small sample test. We document a good performance of the asymptotic approximations except for small sample sizes combined with c close to one. In an empirical study, we analyse the TP weights in portfolios containing stocks from the S&P 500 index.

In this paper we derive the asymptotic distribution of the test of the efficiency of the tangency portfolio in high-dimensional settings, namely when both the portfolio dimension and the sample size grow to infinity. Moreover, we propose a new test based on the estimator for the slope parameter of the efficient frontier in the mean-variance space when there is a possibility in investing into the riskless asset, and derive the asymptotic distribution of that test statistic under both the null and alternative hypotheses. Additionally, we study the finite sample performance of the derived theoretical results via simulations.

Due to the problem of parameter uncertainty, specifying the location of the tangency portfolio (TP) on the set of feasible portfolios becomes a challenging task. The set of feasible portfolios is a parabola in the mean-variance space with optimal portfolios lying on its upper part. Using statistical test theory, we want to decide if the tangency portfolio is mean-variance efficient, i.e. if it belongs to the upper limb of the efficient frontier. In the opposite case, the investor would prefer to invest into the risk-free asset or into the global minimum variance portfolio which lies in the vertex of the set of feasible portfolios. Assuming that the portfolio asset returns are independent and multivariate normally distributed, we suggest a test on the location of the tangency portfolio on the set of feasible portfolios. The distribution of the test statistic is derived under both hypotheses, which we use to assess the power of the test and construct a confidence interval. Moreover, out-of-sample performance of the test is evaluated based on real data. The robustness to the assumption of normality is investigated via an extensive simulation study where we show that the new test is robust to the violation of the normality assumption and can also be used for heavy-tailed stochastic models. Moreover, in an empirical study we apply the developed theory to real data. We find that when the sample size is relatively large and a stable period is present on the market, then the mean-variance efficiency of the tangency portfolio can be statistically justified.

This thesis considers statistical test theory in portfolio theory. It analyses the asymptotic behavior of the considered tests in the high-dimensional setting, meaning k/n → c ∈ (0, ∞) as n → ∞, where k and n are portfolio size and sample size, respectively. It also considers the high-dimensional asymptotic of the product of components involved in the computation of the optimal portfolio. The thesis comprises four manuscripts:

Paper I is concerned with the test on the location of the tangency portfolio on the set of feasible portfolios. Considering the independent and normally multivariate asset returns, we propose a finite-sample test on the mean-variance efficiency of the tangency portfolio (TP). We derive the distribution of the proposed test statistic under both the null and alternative hypotheses, using which we assess the power of the test and construct a confidence interval. The out-of-sample performance of the portfolio determined by the proposed test is conducted and through an extensive simulation study, we show the robustness of the developed test towards the violation of the normality assumptions. We also apply the developed test to real data in the empirical study.

Paper II extends the results of paper I. It is concerned with the study of the asymptotic distributions of the test on the existence of efficient frontier (EF) and the efficiency of the tangency portfolio in the mean-variance space in the high-dimension setting under both the null and alternative hypotheses. Finite-sample performance and robustness of the proposed tests are studied through an extensive simulation study.

In paper III, we study the distributional properties of the TP weights under the assumption of normally distributed logarithmic returns. The distribution of the weights of the TP is given under the form of a stochastic representation (SR). Using the derived SR we deliver the asymptotic distribution of the TP weights under a high-dimensional asymptotic regime. Besides, we consider tests about the elements of the TP weights and derive the asymptotic distribution of the test statistic under the null and alternative hypotheses. In a simulation study, we compare the power function of the high-dimensional asymptotic and the exact tests. Moreover, in an empirical study, we apply the developed theory in analysing the TP weights in a portfolio made of stocks from the S&P 500 index.

In paper IV, we derive a stochastic representation of the product of a singular Wishart matrix and a singular Gaussian vector. We then use the derived SR in the obtention of the characteristic function of that product and in proving the asymptotic normality under the double asymptotic regime. The performance of the obtained asymptotic is shown in the simulation study.

In this paper we consider the product of a singular Wishart random matrix and a singular normal random vector. A very useful stochastic representation of this product is derived, using which its characteristic function and asymptotic distribution under the double asymptotic regime are established. We further document a good finite sample performance of the obtained high-dimensional asymptotic distribution via an extensive Monte Carlo study.

In this thesis we develop new statistical theory and apply it to practical problems dealing with mean-variance optimal portfolio selection. More precisely, we derive an exact statistical test for the characterization of the location of the tangency portfolio (TP) on the efficient frontier. Since the construction of the TP involves the product of an (inverse) Wishart matrix and a normal vector, we also study the distributional properties of functions involving such a product. The first paper focuses on the determination of the existence of the TP. Due to problem of parameter uncertainty, specifying the location of the TP on the set of feasible portfolio becomes a difficult task. Assuming that the asset returns are independent and multivariate normally distributed, we propose a finite-sample test on mean-variance efficiency of the TP. We derive the distribution of the proposed test statistic under both hypotheses, using which we assess the power of the test and construct a confidence interval. Furthermore, we conduct the out-of sample performance of the portfolio determined by implementing the proposed test. Through an extensive simulation we show the robustness of the new test towards the violation of the normality assumption. In an empirical study we apply the developed theory to real data.In the second paper we derive a stochastic representation of the product of a singular Wishart matrix and a singular Gaussian vector. The derived stochastic representation is then used to obtain the characteristic function of that product and to prove the asymptotic normality under double asymptotic regime. Moreover, the derived stochastic representation gives an efficient way of how the elements of the product should be simulated. A simulation study shows a good performance of the obtained asymptotic distribution.​

Due to the problem of parameter uncertainty, specifying the location of the tangency portfolio (TP) on the set of feasible portfolios becomes a challenging task. The set of feasible portfolios is a parabola in the mean-variance space with optimal portfolios lying on its upper part. Using statistical test theory, we want to decide if the tangency portfolio is mean-variance efficient, i.e. if it belongs to the upper limb of the efficient frontier. In the opposite case, the investor would prefer to invest into the risk-free asset or into the global minimum variance portfolio which lies in the vertex of the set of feasible portfolios. Assuming that the portfolio asset returns are independent and multivariate normally distributed, we suggest a test on the location of the tangency portfolio on the set of feasible portfolios. The distribution of the test statistic is derived under both hypotheses, which we use to assess the power of the test and construct a confidence interval. Moreover, out-of-sample performance of the test is evaluated based on real data. The robustness to the assumption of normality is investigated via an extensive simulation study where we show that the new test is robust to the violation of the normality assumption and can also be used for heavy-tailed stochastic models. Moreover, in an empirical study we apply the developed theory to real data. We find that when the sample size is relatively large and a stable period is present on the market, then the mean-variance efficiency of the tangency portfolio can be statistically justified.

In this paper, we study the distributional properties of the tangency portfolio (TP) weights assuming a normal distribution of the logarithmic returns. We derive a stochastic representation of the TP weights that fully describes their distribution. Under a high-dimensional asymptotic regime, i.e. the dimension of the portfolio, , and the sample size, , approach infinity such that , we deliver the asymptotic distribution of the TP weights. Moreover, we consider test about the elements of the TP and derive the asymptotic distribution of the test statistic under the null and alternative hypotheses. In a simulation study, we compare the asymptotic distribution of the TP weights with the exact finite sample density. We also compare the high-dimensional asymptotic test with exact one. We document a good performance of the asymptotic approximations except for small sample sizes combined with  close to one. In an empirical study, we analyze the TP weights in portfolios containing stocks from the S&P 500 index.