PFMP · Question #747
Working previously in the financial industry and studying finance and risk in graduate school, you are familiar with Markowitz's Efficient Frontier theory. Now assume you are the portfolio manager…
The correct answer is D. The best possible expected level of return for its level of risk. Markowitz's Efficient Frontier defines an efficient portfolio as one that achieves the best possible expected return for a given level of risk, which is the core principle being applied here.
Question
Working previously in the financial industry and studying finance and risk in graduate school, you are familiar with Markowitz's Efficient Frontier theory. Now assume you are the portfolio manager for a state government agency. Your agency has a reputation of being risk adverse but given recent budget cuts, you have convinced your executive team it needs to pursue some new programs and projects to demonstrate its benefits to the state. You decided to apply the Efficient Frontier concepts to show them the current state of its components in terms of risk and associated costs. You explained the portfolio is efficient if it has:
Options
- AA mix of components--from high risk/high return to low risk/low return
- BThe ability to quantify the value of risk in monetary terms
- CThe possible overall portfolio value with the greatest possible benefits
- DThe best possible expected level of return for its level of risk
How the community answered
(34 responses)- A3% (1)
- B12% (4)
- C9% (3)
- D76% (26)
Why each option
Markowitz's Efficient Frontier defines an efficient portfolio as one that achieves the best possible expected return for a given level of risk, which is the core principle being applied here.
Describing a mix from high risk/high return to low risk/low return characterizes diversification across a spectrum but does not define efficiency in Markowitz's framework.
Quantifying risk in monetary terms describes risk quantification techniques, not the definition of an efficient portfolio.
Maximizing overall portfolio value describes optimization generally but omits the essential constraint - achieving that value relative to the accepted level of risk.
Markowitz's Modern Portfolio Theory defines the Efficient Frontier as the set of portfolios that offer the highest expected return for each level of risk, or equivalently, the lowest risk for each expected return. A portfolio lying on the frontier is considered efficient because no other combination delivers better return without taking on more risk. Applying this to government programs means identifying the mix of components that maximizes benefits relative to the risk the agency is willing to accept.
Concept tested: Markowitz Efficient Frontier applied to portfolio risk and return
Source: https://www.pmi.org/pmbok-guide-standards/foundational/standard-for-portfolio-management
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