Source: Page et al., Cogent Economics & Finance (2023), 11: 2231662https://doi.org/10.1080/23322039.2023.2231662
Abstract: Rules-based portfolio sorts are commonplace for the evaluation of style anomalies. An unfortunate consequence of constructing portfolios on a target style is the unintended loading on non-target factors. A plausible approach is the appli-cation of optimisation to maintain target factor loading while minimising non-target factor exposures. We test this methodology on an emerging market bourse, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, via quintile portfolios sorted on momentum, value and size. We find that value and momentum benefit most from optimisation in terms of nominal and risk-adjusted performance. From an emerging market per-spective, we show that optimisation is a viable alternative when independent sorts are infeasible.