Abstract
We study the problem of dynamically trading multiple futures contracts on different underlying assets subject to portfolio constraints. The spreads between futures and spot prices are modeled by a multidimensional scaled Brownian bridge to account for their convergence at maturity. Under this stochastic basis model, we apply the stochastic control approach to rigorously derive the optimal trading strategies via utility maximization. This leads to the analysis of the associated system of Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equations, which are reduced to a system of ODEs. A series of numerical examples are provided to illustrate the optimal strategies and wealth distributions under different portfolio constraints.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Angoshtari, B.: On the market-neutrality of optimal pairs-trading strategies. ArXiv e-prints 1608, 08268 (2016)
Angoshtari, B., Leung, T.: Optimal dynamic basis trading. Annals Finance 15(3), 307–335 (2019)
Angoshtari, B., Leung, T.: Optimal trading of a basket of futures contracts. Annals Finance 16(2), 253–280 (2020)
Aragon, G.O., Mehra, R., Wahal, S.: Do properly anticipated prices fluctuate randomly? Evidence from VIX futures markets. J. Portfolio Manag. 46(7), 144–159 (2020)
Beneš, V.E.: Existence of optimal stochastic control laws. SIAM J. Control 9(3), 446–472 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1137/0309034
Brennan, M.J., Schwartz, E.S.: Optimal arbitrage strategies under basis variability. In: Sarnat, M. (ed.) Essays in Financial Economics. North Holland (1988)
Brennan, M.J., Schwartz, E.S.: Arbitrage in stock index futures. J. Bus. 63(1), S7–S31 (1990)
Buetow, G.W., Henderson, B.J.: The VIX futures basis: determinants and implications. J. Portfolio Manag. 42(2), 119–130 (2016)
Cartea, Á., Jaimungal, S., Kinzebulatov, D.: Algorithmic trading with learning. Int. J. Theor. Appl. Finance 19(04), 1650028 (2016)
Dai, M., Zhong, Y., Kwok, Y.K.: Optimal arbitrage strategies on stock index futures under position limits. J. Futures Markets 31(4), 394–406 (2011)
Karatzas, I., Shreve, S.: Brownian motion and stochastic calculus. Springer-Verlag, Berlin (1991)
Kuroda, K., Nagai, H.: Risk-sensitive portfolio optimization on infinite time horizon. Stoch. Stoch. Reports 73, 309–331 (2002)
Leung, T., Ward, B.: The golden target: analyzing the tracking performance of leveraged gold ETFs. Studies Econom. Finance 32(3), 278–297 (2015)
Leung, T., Ward, B.: Dynamic index tracking and risk exposure control using derivatives. Appl. Math. Finance 25(2), 180–212 (2018)
Leung, T., Yan, R.: Optimal dynamic pairs trading of futures under a two-factor mean-reverting model. Int. J. Financial Eng. 5(3), 1850027 (2018)
Leung, T., Yan, R.: A stochastic control approach to managed futures portfolios. Int. J. Financial Eng. 6(1), 1950005 (2019)
Leung, T., Zhou, Y.: Dynamic optimal futures portfolio in a regime-switching market framework. Int. J. Financial Eng. 6(4), 1950034 (2019)
Leung, T., Li, J., Li, X.: Optimal timing to trade along a randomized Brownian bridge. Int. J. Financial Studies 6(3), 75 (2018)
Leung, T., Yan, R., Zhou, Y.: Optimal dynamic futures portfolio under a multifactor gaussian framework. Int. J. Theor. Appl. Finance 24(5), 2150028 (2021)
Li T, Papanicolaou A Dynamic optimal portfolios for multiple co-integrated assets. Working paper (2019)
Liu, J., Longstaff, F.A.: Losing money on arbitrage: optimal dynamic portfolio choice in markets with arbitrage opportunities. Rev. Financial Stud. 17(3), 611–641 (2004)
Liu, J., Timmermann, A.: Optimal convergence trade strategies. Rev. Financial Stud. 26(4), 1048–1086 (2013)
Patton, A.J.: Are “Market Neutral“ Hedge Funds Really Market Neutral? Rev. Financial Stud. 22(7), 2495–2530 (2008)
Simon, D.P., Campasano, J.: The VIX futures basis: evidence and trading strategies. J. Derivatives 21(3), 54–69 (2014)
Valle, C., Meade, N., Beasley, J.E.: Market neutral portfolios. Optim. Letts. 8(7), 1961–1984 (2014)
Zhao, Z., Palomar, D.P.: Mean-reverting portfolio with budget constraint. IEEE Trans. Signal Process 66(9), 2342–2357 (2018)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Chen, X., Leung, T. & Zhou, Y. Constrained dynamic futures portfolios with stochastic basis. Ann Finance 18, 1–33 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10436-021-00398-0
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10436-021-00398-0