Efficient Frontier

Dictionary Says

Definition of 'Efficient Frontier'

A set of optimal portfolios that offers the highest expected return for a defined level of risk or the lowest risk for a given level of expected return. Portfolios that lie below the efficient frontier are sub-optimal, because they do not provide enough return for the level of risk. Portfolios that cluster to the right of the efficient frontier are also sub-optimal, because they have a higher level of risk for the defined rate of return.

Investopedia Says

Investopedia explains 'Efficient Frontier'

Since the efficient frontier is curved, rather than linear, a key finding of the concept was the benefit of diversification. Optimal portfolios that comprise the efficient frontier tend to have a higher degree of diversification than the sub-optimal ones, which are typically less diversified.

The efficient frontier concept was introduced by Harry Markowitz in 1952 and is a cornerstone of modern portfolio theory.

Articles Of Interest

  1. Is Your Portfolio Beating Its Benchmark?

    Compare portfolio manager performance using the information ratio.
  2. Modern Portfolio Theory: Why It's Still Hip

    See why investors today still follow this old set of principles that reduce risk and increase returns through diversification.
  3. Financial Concepts

    Diversification? Optimal portfolio theory? Read this tutorial and these and other financial concepts will be made clear.
  4. Tariffs

    Tariffs, or customs duties, are taxes imposed on foreign goods and services. In addition to providing a country with additional revenue, tariffs offer protection to domestic producers. Imported ...
  5. Weighted Average Cost Of Capital (WACC)

    Weighted average cost of capital may be hard to calculate, but it's a solid way to measure investment quality
  6. Basic Investment Objectives

    You might know about different asset types, but do you know how each type contributes to a particular goal?
  7. Exploring The Current Account In The Balance Of Payments

    Learn how a country's current account balance reflects the country's economic health.
  8. What Is The Balance Of Payments?

    The balance of payments helps countries to track how much money is coming in and how much money is going out. Learn more about BOPs here.
  9. Economic Indicators That Do-It-Yourself Investors Should Know

    Understanding these investing tools will put the market in your hands.
  10. Introduction To The Portfolio Dedicated Strategy

    Dedicated Investment Portfolio strategies have been used by institutional investors like pension funds and insurance companies for many years and have gained some popularity with individual investors ...
comments powered by Disqus
Marketplace
Hot Definitions
  1. Yield Elbow

    The point on the yield curve indicating the year in which the economy's highest interest rates occur. The yield elbow is the peak of the yield curve, signifying where the highest interest rates occurred.
  2. Xenocurrency

    A currency that trades in markets outside of its domestic borders.
  3. Wanton Disregard

    A standard of severe negligence. Wanton disregard is a very serious accusation that indicates that a person behaved extremely recklessly.
  4. Ultra ETF

    A class of exchange-traded funds (ETF) that employs leverage in an effort to achieve double the return of a set benchmark.
  5. Toehold Purchase

    A purchase of less than 5% of a target company's outstanding stockmade by an acquiring company. A toehold purchase of just under 5%, while not a significant stake in a firm, allows the shareholders a "toe-holds" grip on the company and its decision making.
  6. Samurai Bond

    A yen-denominated bond issued in Tokyo by a non-Japanese company and subject to Japanese regulations.
Trading Center
http://sp.fastclick.net/ad/tr/10858-64082-15546-0?mpt=3ec6ab77afd75a49edf3c58f9ff5905f