Modern investment processes often use quantitative models based on Markowitz’s mean-variance approach for determining optimal
portfolio holdings. A major drawback of using such techniques is that the optimality of the portfolio structure only holds
with respect to a single set of expected returns. Becker, Marty, and Rustem introduced the robust min-max portfolio optimization
strategy to overcome this drawback. It computes portfolio holdings that guarantee a worst case risk/return tradeo. whichever
of the specified scenarios occurs. In this paper we extend the approach to include transaction costs. We illustrate the advantages
of the min-max strategy on balanced portfolios. The importance of considering transaction costs when rebalancing portfolios
is shown. The experimental results illustrate how a portfolio can be insured against a possible loss without sacrificing too
much upside potential.
The views expressed in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Credit Suisse Asset
Management.