Archive for September, 2009

Examples    of    client-imposed    constraints    would be restrictions that specify the types of securities in which a manager may invest and concentration limits on how much or little may be invested in a particular asset class or in a particular issuer. Where the objective is to meet the performance of a particular market or customized benchmark, there may be a restriction as to the degree to which the manager may deviate from some key characteristics of the benchmark.

Once a portfolio strategy is selected, the next step is to select the specific assets to be included in the portfolio. It is in this phase of the investment management process that the investor attempts to construct an efficient portfolio. An efficient portfolio is one that provides the greatest expected return for a given level of risk or, equivalently, the lowest risk for a given expected return.

There are some institutional investors that make the asset allocation decision based purely on their understanding of the risk-return characteristics of the various asset classes and expected returns. The asset allocation will take into consideration any investment constraints or restrictions. Asset allocation models are commercially available for assisting those individuals responsible for making this decision.
In the development of an investment policy, the following factors must be considered:
Client constraints   Regulatory constraints   Tax and accounting issues