Assessing financial risk tolerance of portfolio investors using data envelopment analysis

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

For some investors their own personal investment counsellors address their investment strategy; for others automated means are used. To protect investors, the Canadian Government has enacted the "Know Your Client" Act requiring that all investment dealers and vendors of securities must know their clients and advise them on the appropriate investment strategy. This paper uses Data Envelopment Analysis (DBA) in a novel manner by applying it to a large data set of answers to a number of psychological questions. A Slacks Based Model was used to estimate investor risk tolerance. The model analyses the risk profile of the investor and can be used as a guide to match the risk rating of the investment vehicles for the client. Statistical comparisons were also carried out to show how risk tolerance relates to various demographic variables. Finally, the DEA results were validated through comparisons with the commercial system already in use.

Original languageEnglish
JournalInternational Journal of Information Technology and Decision Making
Volume4
Issue number3
Pages (from-to)491-519
Number of pages29
ISSN0219-6220
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2005
Externally publishedYes

    Research areas

  • Data envelopment analysis, Financial risk tolerance, Know your client, Risk assessment

ID: 227788196