Modeling and Optimizing the Multi-Objective Portfolio Optimization Problem with Trapezoidal Fuzzy Parameters

Abstract

A common issue in the Multi-Objective Portfolio Optimization Problem (MOPOP) is the presence of uncertainty that affects individual decisions, e.g., variations on resources or benefits of projects. Fuzzy numbers are successful in dealing with imprecise numerical quantities, and they found numerous applications in optimization. However, so far, they have not been used to tackle uncertainty in MOPOP. Hence, this work proposes to tackle MOPOP’s uncertainty with a new optimization model based on fuzzy trapezoidal parameters. Additionally, it proposes three novel steady-state algorithms as the model’s solution process. One approach integrates the Fuzzy Adaptive Multi-objective Evolutionary (FAME) methodology; the other two apply the Non-Dominated Genetic Algorithm (NSGA-II) methodology. One steady-state algorithm uses the Spatial Spread Deviation as a density estimator to improve the Pareto fronts’ distribution. This research work’s final contribution is developing a new defuzzification mapping that allows measuring algorithms’ performance using widely known metrics. The results show a significant difference in performance favoring the proposed steady-state algorithm based on the FAME methodology.

Keywords

• multi-objective optimization
• multi-objective portfolio optimization problem
• trapezoidal fuzzy numbers
• density estimators
• steady state algorithms