IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,890,408

Granted Patent B2

US 7,890,408 · App. 11/974,197 · Granted Feb 15, 2011

System and method for attributing performance, risk and risk-adjusted performance of an investment portfolio to custom factors

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Quick Facts

Patent No.: US 7,890,408
App. No.: 11/974,197
Granted: Feb 15, 2011
Kind: B2

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Abstract

Systems and methods for attributing return, risk, and risk-adjusted performance for an investment portfolio. Residual factors for the investment portfolio may be determined based on a matrix of custom factors. The residual factors may correspond to a matrix of factor exposures for the portfolio that may be obtained by orthogonalizing true factors for the portfolio to the matrix of custom factors. The return of the portfolio may be attributed to the custom factors, the residual factors, and idiosyncratic effects. The risk of the portfolio may be attributed to the custom factors, the residual factors, and the idiosyncratic effects. The risk-adjusted performance may be attributed to the custom factors, the residual factors, and idiosyncratic effects based on the return attributions and the risk attributions. The return attribution, risk attribution and risk-adjusted performance attribution for each of the custom factors, the residual factors, and the idiosyncratic effects may be stored.

Claims (83)

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:

determining, by a computer system, residual factors for an investment portfolio based on a matrix of custom factors, wherein the custom factors reflect an investment process for the investment portfolio, and wherein the residual factors correspond to a matrix of factor exposures for the investment portfolio obtained by orthogonalizing risk factors for the investment portfolio to the matrix of custom factors, wherein the risk factors account for risk in the investment portfolio and are different from the custom factors, and wherein the computer system comprises at least one processor;

determining, by the computer system, an attribution of the return of the investment portfolio to the custom factors, an attribution of the return of the investment portfolio to the residual factors, and an attribution of the return of the investment portfolio to idiosyncratic effects; and

determining, by the computer system, an attribution of the risk of the investment portfolio to the custom factors, an attribution of the risk of the investment portfolio to the residual factors, and an attribution of the risk of the investment portfolio to the idiosyncratic effects.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining, by the computer system, an attribution of the risk-adjusted performance for the investment portfolio to the custom factors, an attribution of the risk-adjusted performance for the investment portfolio to the residual factors, and an attribution of the risk-adjusted performance for the investment portfolio to idiosyncratic effects based on the return attributions and the risk attributions.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the custom factors comprise at least one of a market factor, a beta factor, a value factor, or a size factor.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the custom factor return attribution is based on the custom factors and custom factor returns.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the residual factor return attribution is based on the residual factors and the residual factor returns.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the idiosyncratic effect return attribution is based on an idiosyncratic return and a portfolio weight.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the custom factor risk attribution is based on a volatility of the custom factor return attribution and a correlation between the custom factor return attribution and the return of the portfolio.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the residual factor risk attribution is based on a volatility of the residual factor return attribution and a correlation between the residual factor return attribution and the return of the portfolio.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the idiosyncratic effect risk attribution is based on a volatility of the idiosyncratic effect return attribution and a correlation between the idiosyncratic effect return attribution and the return of the portfolio.

10. The method of claim 2 , wherein, the risk-adjusted performance custom factor attribution is based on a risk weight for the custom factors, the custom factor return attribution and the volatility of the custom factor return attribution.

11. The method of claim 2 , wherein the risk-adjusted performance residual factor attribution is based on a risk weight for the residual factors, the residual factor return attribution and the volatility of the residual factor return attribution.

12. The method of claim 2 , wherein the risk-adjusted performance idiosyncratic effect attribution is based on a risk weight for the idiosyncratic effects, the idiosyncratic effect return attribution and the volatility of the idiosyncratic effect return attribution.

13. A computer readable medium having instruction stored thereon which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:

determine residual factors for an investment portfolio based on a matrix of custom factors, wherein the custom factors reflect an investment process for the investment portfolio, wherein the residual factors correspond to a matrix of factor exposures for the investment portfolio obtained by orthogonalizing risk factors for the investment portfolio to the matrix of custom factors, wherein the risk factors account for risk in the investment portfolio and are different from the custom factors;

determine an attribution of the return of the investment portfolio to the custom factors, an attribution of the return of the investment portfolio to the residual factors, and an attribution of the return of the investment portfolio to idiosyncratic effects; and

determine an attribution of the risk of the investment portfolio to the custom factors, an attribution of the risk of the investment portfolio to the residual factors, and an attribution of the risk of the investment portfolio to the idiosyncratic effects.

14. The computer readable medium of claim 13 , having further stored thereon instructions which when executed by the processor cause the processor to determine an attribution of risk-adjusted performance for the investment portfolio to the custom factors, an attribution of the risk-adjusted performance of the investment portfolio to the residual factors, and an attribution of the risk-adjusted performance of the investment portfolio to idiosyncratic effects based on the return attributions and the risk attributions.

15. The computer readable medium of claim 13 , wherein the custom factors comprise at least one of a market factor, a beta factor, a value factor, or a size factor.

16. The computer readable medium of claim 13 , wherein the custom factor return attribution is based on the custom factors and custom factor returns.

17. The computer readable medium of claim 13 , wherein the residual factor return attribution is based on the residual factors and the residual factor returns.

18. The computer readable medium of claim 13 , wherein the idiosyncratic effect return attribution is based on an idiosyncratic return and a portfolio weight.

19. The computer readable medium of claim 13 , wherein the custom factor risk attribution is based on a volatility of the custom factor return attribution and a correlation between the custom factor return attribution and the return of the portfolio.

20. The computer readable medium of claim 13 , wherein the residual factor risk attribution is based on a volatility of the residual factor return attribution and a correlation between the residual factor return attribution and the return of the portfolio.

21. The computer readable medium of claim 13 , wherein the idiosyncratic effect risk attribution is based on a volatility of the idiosyncratic effect return attribution and a correlation between the idiosyncratic effect return attribution and the return of the portfolio.

22. The computer readable medium of claim 14 , wherein the risk-adjusted performance custom factor attribution is based on a risk weight for the custom factors, the custom factor return attribution and the volatility of the custom factor return attribution.

23. The computer readable medium of claim 14 , wherein the risk-adjusted performance residual factor attribution is based on a risk weight for the residual factors, the residual factor return attribution and the volatility of the residual factor return attribution.

24. The computer readable medium of claim 14 , wherein the risk-adjusted performance idiosyncratic effect attribution is based on a risk weight for the idiosyncratic effects, the idiosyncratic effect return attribution and the volatility of the idiosyncratic effect return attribution.

25. A system comprising:

a processor; and

a memory in communication with the processor, wherein the memory stores instructions which when executed by the processor causes the processor to:

determine residual factors for an investment portfolio based on a matrix of custom factors, wherein the custom factors reflect an investment process for the investment portfolio, wherein the residual factors correspond to a matrix of factor exposures for the portfolio obtained by orthogonalizing risk factors for the investment portfolio to the matrix of custom factors, wherein the risk factors account for risk in the investment portfolio and are different from the custom factors;

26. The system of claim 25 , wherein the memory further stores instructions which when executed by the processor cause the processor to determine an attribution of risk-adjusted performance for the investment portfolio to the custom factors, an attribution of the risk-adjusted performance of the investment portfolio to the residual factors, and an attribution of the risk-adjusted performance of the investment portfolio to idiosyncratic effects based on the return attributions and the risk attributions.

27. The system of claim 25 , wherein the custom factor is at least one of a market factor, a beta factor, a value factor, and a size factor.

28. The system of claim 25 , wherein the custom factor return attribution is based on the custom factors and custom factor returns.

29. The system of claim 25 , wherein the residual factor return attribution is based on the residual factors and the residual factor returns.

30. The system of claim 25 , wherein the idiosyncratic effect return attribution is based on an idiosyncratic return and a portfolio weight.

31. The system of claim 25 , wherein the custom factor risk attribution is based on a volatility of the custom factor return attribution and a correlation between the custom factor return attribution and the return of the portfolio.

32. The system of claim 25 , wherein the residual factor risk attribution is based on a volatility of the residual factor return attribution and a correlation between the residual factor return attribution and the return of the portfolio.

33. The system of claim 25 , wherein the idiosyncratic effect risk attribution is based on a volatility of the idiosyncratic effect return attribution and a correlation between the idiosyncratic effect return attribution and the return of the portfolio.

34. The system of claim 26 , wherein the risk-adjusted performance custom factor attribution is based on a risk weight for the custom factors, the custom factor return attribution and the volatility of the custom factor return attribution.

35. The system of claim 26 , wherein the risk-adjusted performance residual factor attribution is based on a risk weight for the residual factors, the residual factor return attribution and the volatility of the residual factor return attribution.

36. The system of claim 26 , wherein the risk-adjusted performance idiosyncratic effect attribution is based on a risk weight for the idiosyncratic effects, the idiosyncratic effect return attribution and the volatility of the idiosyncratic effect return attribution.

37. A system comprising:

a processor; and

a database in communication with the processor, wherein the database stores a matrix of custom factors for an investment portfolio, wherein the custom factors reflect an investment process for the investment portfolio, and wherein the processor is programmed to:

determine residual factors for the investment portfolio based on the matrix of custom factors, wherein the residual factors correspond to a matrix of factor exposures for the investment portfolio obtained by orthogonalizing risk factors for the portfolio to the matrix of custom factors, wherein the risk factors account for risk in the investment portfolio and are different from the custom factors;

38. The system of claim 37 , wherein the processor is further programmed to determine an attribution of risk-adjusted performance for the investment portfolio to the custom factors, an attribution of the risk-adjusted performance of the investment portfolio to the residual factors, and an attribution of the risk-adjusted performance of the investment portfolio to idiosyncratic effects based on the return attributions and the risk attributions.

39. The system of claim 37 , wherein the custom factor is at least one of a market factor, a beta factor, a value factor, and a size factor.

40. The system of claim 37 , wherein the custom factor return attribution is based on the custom factors and custom factor returns.

41. The system of claim 37 , wherein the residual factor return attribution is based on the residual factors and the residual factor returns.

42. The system of claim 37 , wherein the idiosyncratic effect return attribution is based on an idiosyncratic return and a portfolio weight.

43. The system of claim 37 , wherein the custom factor risk attribution is based on a volatility of the custom factor return attribution and a correlation between the custom factor return attribution and the return of the portfolio.

44. The system of claim 37 , wherein the residual factor risk attribution is based on a volatility of the residual factor return attribution and a correlation between the residual factor return attribution and the return of the portfolio.

45. The system of claim 37 , wherein the idiosyncratic effect risk attribution is based on a volatility of the idiosyncratic effect return attribution and a correlation between the idiosyncratic effect return attribution and the return of the portfolio.

46. The system of claim 38 , wherein the risk-adjusted performance custom factor attribution is based on a risk weight for the custom factors, the custom factor return attribution and the volatility of the custom factor return attribution.

47. The system of claim 38 , wherein the risk-adjusted performance residual factor attribution is based on a risk weight for the residual factors, the residual factor return attribution and the volatility of the residual factor return attribution.

48. The system of claim 38 , wherein the risk-adjusted performance idiosyncratic effect attribution is based on a risk weight for the idiosyncratic effects, the idiosyncratic effect return attribution and the volatility of the idiosyncratic effect return attribution.

49. A computer-implemented method of attributing return, risk, and risk-adjusted performance for an investment portfolio, the method comprising:

determining, by a computer system, residual factors for the investment portfolio based on a matrix of custom factors, wherein the custom factors reflect an investment process for the investment portfolio, wherein the residual factors correspond to a matrix of factor exposures for the portfolio obtained by orthogonalizing risk factors for the portfolio to the matrix of custom factors, wherein the risk factors account for risk in the investment portfolio and are different from the custom factors, and wherein the computer system comprises at least one processor;

determining, by the computer system, an attribution of risk-adjusted performance for the investment portfolio to the custom factors, an attribution of the risk-adjusted performance of the investment portfolio to the residual factors, and an attribution of the risk-adjusted performance of the investment portfolio to idiosyncratic effects based on the return attributions and the risk attributions.

50. A computer-implemented method comprising:

receiving, by a computer system that comprises at least one processor, via a computer data network, data indicating a set of user-selected custom factors for an investment portfolio, wherein the custom factors reflect an investment process for the investment portfolio, and wherein the set of custom factors is not identical to a set of risk factors for the investment process that account for risk to the investment portfolio;

determining, by the computer system, an attribution of the return of the investment portfolio to the set of user-selected custom factors; and

determining, by the computer system, an attribution of the risk of the investment portfolio to the set of user-selected custom factors.

51. A system comprising:

a processor; and

a memory in communication with the processor, wherein the memory stores instructions which when executed by the processor causes the processor to:

receive, via a computer data network, data indicating a set of user-selected custom factors for an investment portfolio, wherein the custom factors reflect an investment process for the investment portfolio, and wherein the set of custom factors is not identical to a set of risk factors for the investment process that account for risk to the investment portfolio;

determine an attribution of the return of the investment portfolio to the set of user-selected custom factors; and

determine an attribution of the risk of the investment portfolio to the set of user-selected custom factors.

52. A computer readable medium having instruction stored thereon which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:

receive data indicating a set of user-selected custom factors for an investment portfolio, wherein the custom factors reflect an investment process for the investment portfolio, and wherein the set of custom factors is not identical to a set of risk factors for the investment process that account for risk to the investment portfolio;

determine an attribution of the return of the investment portfolio to the set of user-selected custom factors; and

determine an attribution of the risk of the investment portfolio to the set of user-selected custom factors.

Assignments (6)

RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AGREEMENT (R24483 F0348) Recorded Dec 3, 2014

From: MORGAN STANLEY & CO. LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT

To: MSCI INC., AS PLEDGOR; BARRA, LLC (F/K/A BARRA, INC.), AS PLEDGOR; RISKMETRICS GROUP, LLC,(F/K/A RISKMETRICS, INC.) AS PLEDGOR; FINANCIAL ENGINEERING ASSOCIATES, INC., AS PLEDGOR

Reel/Frame 034424/0371 →

SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 4, 2010

From: MSCI INC.; BARRA, INC.; FINANCIAL ENGINEERING ASSOCIATES, INC.; RISKMETRICS GROUP, INC.; INSTITUTIONAL SHAREHOLDER SERVICES INC.

To: MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED, AS COLLATERAL AGENT

Reel/Frame 024483/0348 →

RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 3, 2010

From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT

To: MSCI INC.

Reel/Frame 024478/0025 →

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF RESIGNATION AND APPOINTMENT Recorded Jan 22, 2008

From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.

To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.