Using properties of the cdf of a random variable defined as a saddle-type point of a real valued continuous stochastic process, we derive first-order asymptotic properties of tests for stochastic spanning w.r.t. a stochastic dominance relation. First, we define the concept of Markowitz...

We develop and implement methods for determining whether introducing new securities or relaxing investment constraints improves the investment opportunity set for prospect investors. We formulate a new testing procedure for prospect spanning for two nested portfolio sets based on subsampling and...

We revisit the question whether commodities should be included in investors' portfolios. We employ for the first time a stochastic dominance efficiency (SDE) approach to construct optimal portfolios with and without commodities and we evaluate their comparative performance. SDE circumvents the...

We find stochastic uniform inefficiency of many widely held (active) portfolios and fund strategies relative to popular benchmarks. Uniformity provides robust findings over general classes of utility (loss) functions and unknown distribution of returns. Evidence is based on statistical tests for...

We investigate the degree to which cryptocurrencies provide diversification benefits to an investor. We use a stochastic spanning methodology to construct optimal portfolios with and without cryptocurrencies, evaluating their comparative performance both in- and out-of-sample. Empirical analysis...

This paper investigates the diversification contribution of four main precious metals (i.e., gold, silver, platinum, and palladium) to a traditional portfolio of stocks, bonds, cash, and currencies, as well as the impact of the global financial crisis of 2008 on that contribution. We use a...