EURO 2025 Leeds
Abstract Submission

3002. Integration of Support Vector Machines and Mean-Variance Optimization

Invited abstract in session WB-34: Theory of Knowledge, Technology, and Innovation, stream Advancements of OR-analytics in statistics, machine learning and data science.

Wednesday, 10:30-12:00
Room: Michael Sadler LG10

Authors (first author is the speaker)

1. Roy Kwon
Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto

Abstract

This work introduces a novel methodology for portfolio optimization that is the first to integrate support vector machines (SVMs) with cardinality-constrained mean–variance optimization. We propose augmenting cardinality-constrained mean–variance optimization with a preference for portfolios with the property that a low-dimensional hyperplane can separate assets eligible for investment from those ineligible. We present convex mixed-integer quadratic programming models that jointly select a portfolio and a separating hyperplane. This joint selection optimizes a tradeoff between risk-adjusted returns, hyperplane margin, and classification errors made by the hyperplane. The models are amenable to standard commercial branch-and-bound solvers, requiring no custom implementation. We discuss the properties of the proposed optimization models and draw connections between existing portfolio optimization and SVM approaches. The mathematical programming models and the associated parameter selection strategy are amenable to financial back-testing. The models are evaluated in-sample and out-of-sample on two distinct datasets in a rolling horizon backtesting framework. The portfolios resulting from the proposed approach display improved out-of-sample risk-adjusted returns compared to cardinality-constrained mean–variance optimization.

Keywords

Status: accepted


Back to the list of papers