Is the omega ratio a good portfolio optimization criterion?

Resumen

The Omega ratio has been widely used in the literature to optimize and search for good performance in investment portfolios.  It considers both the downside and upside potential of the portfolio with respect to a predetermined threshold, which can be fixed or time varying. Mixed results have been obtained in different markets and periods. And when combined with other performance or risk measures, its results can be improved. The proposed model restricts the omega ratio to a value of less than 470, a maximum investment in each asset of 15%, with a target annual return equal to the return of the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) among the assets that make up the index. In the study period (2000-2020, rolling window with annual return per day) there is a 64% probability of outperforming the DJIA with an appraisal of 2.36, higher than the other models used (Upside potential, Downside potential, semi-variance and unconstrained Omega).