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Journal of Finance Vol. 69 No. 2 2014

Sequential Learning, Predictability, and Optimal Portfolio Returns

Michael Johannes; Arthur G. Korteweg; Nicholas Polson1,2,3,4,5

1 Conference Board · 2 University of the District of Columbia · 3 University of Chicago · 4 Columbia University · 5 University of Amsterdam

Abstract

This paper finds statistically and economically significant out‐of‐sample portfolio benefits for an investor who uses models of return predictability when forming optimal portfolios. Investors must account for estimation risk, and incorporate an ensemble of important features, including time‐varying volatility, and time‐varying expected returns driven by payout yield measures that include share repurchase and issuance. Prior research documents a lack of benefits to return predictability, and our results suggest that this is largely due to omitting time‐varying volatility and estimation risk. We also document the sequential process of investors learning about parameters, state variables, and models as new data arrive.

DOI
10.1111/jofi.12121
Volume
69
Issue
2
Pages
611-644
Language
en
Sources
bibtex:phds-export.bib openalex crossref

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