Tracking bond indices in an integrated market and credit risk environment

The management of credit risky assets requires simulation models that integrate the disparate sources of credit and market risk, and suitable optimization models for scenario analysis. In this paper we integrate Monte Carlo simulation models for credit risk with scenario optimization, and develop a methodology for tracking broadly defined corporate bond indices. Testing of the models shows that the integration of the multiple risk factors improves significantly the performance of tracking models. Good tracking performance can be achieved by optimizing strategic asset allocation among broad classes of corporate bonds. However, extra value is generated with a tactical model that optimizes bond picking decisions as well. It is also shown that adding small corporate bond holdings in portfolios that track government bond indices improves the risk/return characteristics of the portfolios. The empirical results to substantiate the findings of this study are obtained by backtesting the model over a recent 30 month period.