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Asset Allocation and the Efficient Frontier:
Optimizing a portfolio’s risk/return profile
J.P. Morgan Investment Academy
SM
The nuts and bolts of investment success

Asset allocation

Diversification

The efficient frontier
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Asset allocation versus diversification
Asset allocation: A strategy that concerns itself
with the way different investment
classes are combined.
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2
Asset correlation

Correlation: The relationship between the price movements of two securities or classes of securities in relation
to one another.
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3
Asset allocation versus diversification
Diversification: Spreads assets
across a mix of investments
within each class.
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The goal of asset allocation

Create a diversified portfolio with an acceptable
level of risk

Achieve the highest possible return given that
level of risk

A portfolio or asset allocation that maximizes
return for the level of risk is called an efficient
portfolio
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
On the Y axis: Return = reward

On the X axis: Risk = standard deviation
Return (% reward)
Risk and return
Standard deviation = volatility = unpredictability = risk
Risk (standard deviation)
The above chart is shown for illustrative purposes only and is not indicative of any investment.
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The efficient frontier
Input

Expected return for each asset

Standard deviation of each asset

Correlation between the assets
Output
The above chart is shown for illustrative purposes only and is not indicative of any investment.
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The efficient frontier: Same risk, greater return
Source: www.styleadvisor.com
For illustrative purporses only.
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The efficient frontier
Risk is measured by standard deviation. Return is measured by arithmetic mean. Risk and return are based on annual data over the period 1970-2006. Portfolios presented are based on modern
portfolio theory.
The above chart is shown for illustrative purposes only and is not indicative of any investment. An investment cannot be made directly in an index.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Diversification does not eliminate the risk of experiencing investment losses. Risk is measured by standard deviation. Standard deviation
measures the fluctuation of returns around the arithmetic average return of the investment. The higher the standard deviation, the greater the variability (and thus risk) of the investment returns.
Government bonds are guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the United States government as to the timely payment of principal and interest, while stocks are not guaranteed and have been
more volatile than bonds. The data assumes reinvestment of all income and does not account for taxes or transaction costs.
Source: Stocks: Standard & Poor’s 500, which is an unmanaged group of securities and considered to be representative of the stock market in general; Bonds: 20-year U.S. Government Bond.
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Building more efficient portfolios
For illustrative purposes only.
Portfolios are based on mean-variance optimization subject to constraints. Portfolio statistics presented above are not intended to be guarantee of portfolio performance. Portfolio statistics based
on 2010 USD Capital market Assumptions.
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Mapping an efficient frontier
The efficient frontier can shift upward (increasing returns) …
and to the left (reducing risk)…
by diversifying across multiple asset classes with varied correlations to one another.
For illustrative purporses only.
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Diversification can help improve returns and reduce volatility
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Thank you
We value your partnership.
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Disclosure
The above commentary is intended solely to report on various investment views held by J.P. Morgan Asset Management.
Diversification does not eliminate the risk of experiencing investment losses.
Opinions and estimates offered constitute our judgment and are subject to change without notice, as are statements of financial market trends,
which are based on current market conditions. We believe the information provided here is reliable, but do not warrant its accuracy or
completeness. This material is not intended as an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any financial instrument. The views and
strategies described may not be suitable for all investors. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only and is not intended
to provide, and should not be relied on for accounting, legal or tax advice. References to future returns are not promises or even estimates of
actual returns a client portfolio may achieve. Any forecasts contained herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not to be relied upon as
advice or interpreted as a recommendation.
J.P. Morgan Asset Management is the marketing name for the asset management businesses of JPMorgan Chase & Co. Those businesses
include, but are not limited to, J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc., Security Capital Research & Management Incorporated
and J.P. Morgan Alternative Asset Management, Inc.
© 2013 J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.
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