Bridge over ocean
1 March 2001 Financial Analysts Journal Volume 57, Issue 2

Tracking Error and Tactical Asset Allocation

  1. Manuel Ammann
  2. Heinz Zimmermann

We report results from our investigation of the relationship between statistical measures of tracking error and asset allocation restrictions expressed as admissible weight ranges. Tracking errors are typically calculated as annualized second moments of return differentials between a portfolio and a benchmark. In practice, however, constraints on tactical deviations from benchmark weights are often imposed on the portfolio manager to ensure adequate tracking. Simulating various investment strategies subject to such constraints, we illustrate how the size of acceptable deviations from the benchmark relates to the statistical tracking error. An example based on actual market data indicates that imposing fairly large tactical asset allocation ranges produces surprisingly small tracking errors. We also found that TAA restrictions should restrict not only the tactical ranges of the individual asset classes but also, and perhaps even more importantly, the tracking of the individual asset classes.

Read the Complete Article in Financial Analysts Journal Financial Analysts Journal CFA Institute Member Content

We’re using cookies, but you can turn them off in Privacy Settings.  Otherwise, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.  Accepting cookies does not mean that we are collecting personal data. Learn more in our Privacy Policy.