Revisiting Core-Satellite Investing

Abstract

Tracking error is not necessarily bad. Good tracking error would be outperformance of a portfolio with respect to the benchmark. If they severely restrict the amounts invested in active strategies as a result of tight tracking error constraints, investors foreclose the opportunity for significant outperformance, especially during market downturns. A new methodology based on an optimal dynamic adjustment of the fractions invested in a passive core versus an active satellite portfolio allows investors to gain full access to good tracking error, while keeping bad tracking error below a given threshold. The method is a natural extension of constant-proportion portfolio insurance techniques.