New Efficient Frontier: Can Structured Products Really Improve Risk-Return Profile?

Abstract

In this paper we investigate the contribution of structured bonds to the efficient frontier. We conduct our analysis by simulating the term structure according to a no-arbitrage multifactor model (G2 ) and comparing the performance of basic products (like zero-coupon bond, coupon bond and floating rate notes) with respect to more sophisticated products (like cms, collars, spread and volatility notes). In particular, our analysis considers different initial market environment like interest rate term structure shapes, as well as volatility and correlation in its changes and takes into account how the combined effect of risk-premium required by investors and fees that they have to pay can change the portfolio allocation respect to the one made only of basic securities. Our simulation results show that structured products can be an interesting investment only under particular scenarios. However, in general the return net of the fees in these securities is in average lower than the return in basic securities.