20.01.2026 Master Seminar SS 2026 Portfolio Selection Theory

"Empirical Application of Portfolio Selection Theory"

  • Registration

    April, 1 to April 21, 2026: Please register via MARVIN
    maximum limits for the number of participants for the Bachelor Seminar: 15

  • General information

    Information on basic ideas, topics, examination etc. can be found on our seminar page.

  • Assignments

    • General Assignment
      • Calculating the optimal security weights and the efficient μ-σ-combinations for the Portfolio Selection (Markowitz, Markowitz‐Tobin, non‐marketable income, international Diversification).
      • Each participant will receive a further more specific task.
    • Individual Aspects
      • All computations must be performed with the help of Excel.
      • Preparing the time series
        • Data preparation (for example: consideration of Stock-Splits, missing values, etc.)
        • Weak stationarity, autocorrelation
      • Variation of the input data (depending on individual tasks)
      • Portfolio Selection (depending on assigned task)
        • Security weights/security holdings
        • Efficient frontier
        • Variance analysis
        • Performance measurement

  • Time schedule

    • Kick-off: digital on April 22, 2026, 08:15 to 09:00 a.m., for all participants registered in MARVIN or on the waiting list
    • Topics will be assigned on Monday, May 04, 2026. 
      • Topics will be sent by email, no personal contact is required.
    • Intermediate presentation: block-event which will be held  June 12, 2026. 
    • Submission of the written work via email must be in form of word or pdf data with all calculations in Excel files: July 2, 2026 not later than 11:30 AM.
    • Final presentation: which will be held July 10, 2026, room AA 011. 

  • Minimum requirements for passing the Studienleistung (intermediate presentation, not graded component of the seminar)

    • Data cleaning and preparation must be accomplished.

    • One efficient frontier must be calculated.

    • Additional individual requirements might be imposed by your respective supervisor.

  • Deregistration

    Withdrawal is possible until April 23, 2026, 12:00 p.m.. Later withdrawals will automatically lead to a fail grade. 

    Reason for this restrictive treatment of withdrawals: People on the waiting list must be given a chance to participate in the seminar if free places arise due to withdrawal.



    • A failed mid-term presentation will lead to a fail grade for the exam.

  • References

    • Further readings will be provided by the supervisor if necessary.