Asset allocation of Australian superannuation funds: a markov regime switching approach

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Edit and run Quant Buffet Python for Asset allocation of Australian superannuation funds: a markov regime switching approach in the browser. Results update live with equity, drawdown, and metrics charts. Allowed: backtest.data, backtest.engine, backtest.metrics, numpy, pandas. Define ASSETS and make_on_day(prices). Shortcut: Ctrl+Enter. API docs →

Ready — edit code, then Run backtest.
IDE · 40 lines
Quant Buffet syntax cheat sheet (copy / insert)

Paste these fragments into the editor. The sandbox rejects QuantConnect, os, and network libraries.

Required imports
Only these libraries are allowed in the sandbox.
from __future__ import annotations

import numpy as np
import pandas as pd

from backtest.data import load_daily_prices
from backtest.engine import EngineConfig, PortfolioEngine
from backtest.metrics import compute_metrics
ASSETS list (whitelisted ETFs)
Module-level list. Tickers must be in the Quant Buffet whitelist.
ASSETS = ["SPY", "QQQ", "TLT", "GLD", "BIL"]
make_on_day contract
Must return (on_day, ready). on_day calls engine.set_target_weights.
def make_on_day(prices: pd.DataFrame):
    cols = [c for c in ASSETS if c in prices.columns]
    sma = prices[cols].rolling(200, min_periods=200).mean()
    state = {"last": None}

    def on_day(engine: PortfolioEngine, dt: pd.Timestamp) -> None:
        if sma.loc[dt].isna().all():
            return
        key = (dt.year, dt.month)
        if state["last"] == key:
            return
        state["last"] = key
        long = [
            s for s in cols
            if pd.notna(prices.at[dt, s]) and pd.notna(sma.at[dt, s])
            and prices.at[dt, s] > sma.at[dt, s]
        ]
        weights = {} if not long else {s: 1.0 / len(long) for s in long}
        engine.set_target_weights(dt, weights)

    ready = sma.dropna(how="all").index.min() if sma.notna().any().any() else None
    return on_day, ready
Set target weights
Weights should sum to about 1.0. Empty dict = 100% cash.
engine.set_target_weights(dt, {"SPY": 0.60, "BIL": 0.40})

Live backtest performance

CAGR
4.49%
Sharpe
0.36
Max DD
-45.22%
Vol
15.92%
Sortino
0.54
Beta
0.47

Showing saved draft baseline until you re-run.

Equity curve (indexed = 100)

Accent = strategy · dashed grey = buy-and-hold benchmark

2000-102026-0887360
Drawdown
Worst -39.6%-40%
Metrics bar chart
CAGRSharpeSortinoVol|DD|Grey = baseline · Accent = live run
Monthly returns
2020-072026-08 · last 24 months

Export to your platform

Transform Quant Buffet lab code (ASSETS + make_on_day / PortfolioEngine) into native classes for a third-party IDE — then copy and paste.

Run in: QuantConnect Cloud or LEAN CLI · QCAlgorithm with Equity securities and monthly rebalance.

Detected pattern: SMA trendAssets: SPY, TLT, GLD, BIL
# Generated from Quant Buffet → QuantConnect LEAN
# Strategy: Asset allocation of Australian superannuation funds: a markov regime switching approach
# Detected pattern: SMA trend
# Source uses Quant Buffet lab APIs (ASSETS + make_on_day / PortfolioEngine).
# Review fees, data, and risk before live trading — educational export only.

from AlgorithmImports import *


class QuantBuffetExport(QCAlgorithm):
    def Initialize(self):
        self.SetStartDate(2010, 1, 1)
        self.SetCash(100000)
        tickers = ["SPY", "TLT", "GLD", "BIL"]
        self.symbols = []
        for t in tickers:
            if "-" in t:  # crypto proxy e.g. BTC-USD
                self.symbols.append(self.AddCrypto(t.replace("-USD", ""), Resolution.Daily).Symbol)
            else:
                self.symbols.append(self.AddEquity(t, Resolution.Daily).Symbol)
        self.Schedule.On(
            self.DateRules.MonthStart(self.symbols[0]),
            self.TimeRules.AfterMarketOpen(self.symbols[0], 30),
            self.Rebalance,
        )
        # Logic: Long assets where close > SMA(200); equal-weight; monthly.

    def Rebalance(self):
        longs = []
        for symbol in self.symbols:
            hist = self.History(symbol, 200 + 5, Resolution.Daily)
            if hist.empty: continue
            close = hist["close"].unstack(level=0).iloc[:, 0] if hasattr(hist["close"], "unstack") else hist["close"]
            if len(close) < 200: continue
            if float(close.iloc[-1]) > float(close.iloc[-200:].mean()):
                longs.append(symbol)
        weight = 1.0 / len(longs) if longs else 0.0
        for symbol in self.symbols:
            self.SetHoldings(symbol, weight if symbol in longs else 0.0)

Exported code uses the platform’s native classes and libraries. Install dependencies in your third-party IDE, then run. Validate before live trading.

Academic paper

Asset allocation of Australian superannuation funds: a markov regime switching approach

AuthorsEmawtee Bissoondoyal‐Bheenick; Robert Brooks; Hung Do

InstituteMonash University; RMIT University; Vietnam National University, Hanoi; Massey University

Teaser

Hold each liquid ETF only when its price is above a long SMA; equal-weight the longs, cash otherwise. Universe: EWA, EWC, EWD, EWG, EWH, EWI, EWJ, EWK, EWL, EWN, EWP, EWQ. Parameters: sma_days=200; rebalance=monthly. Rebalanced on the engine's template schedule with 5 bps commission and 2 bps slippage.

Strategy in a nutshell

Abstract We extend an observable Markov Regime Switching framework to assess the switching behaviour of asset classes of Australian superannuation funds across different fund sizes. We identify the most prominent asset class which contributes to the performance of the investment options and what factors trigger funds’ decisions on rebalancing their portfolio. We find that smaller funds tend to be more active in switching to aggressive options and the larger funds are more conservative. However, in periods of volatility, the large funds are the risk seekers and tend to switch their asset classes and hence their investment strategies. The asset classes whose values add to the performance of the investment options are equity markets and bond markets with the domestic equity market having bett

Economic rationale

Trend filters exploit persistent serial correlation in asset returns and reduce exposure when prices fall below a long-horizon average, cutting left-tail risk. Related evidence from “Asset allocation of Australian superannuation funds: a markov regime switching approach”: Abstract We extend an observable Markov Regime Switching framework to assess the switching behaviour of asset classes of Australian superannuation funds across different fund sizes. We identify the most prominent asset class which contributes to the performance of the investment options and what factors trigger funds’ decisions on rebalancing their portfolio. We find that smaller funds tend to be more active in switching to aggressive options and the larger funds are more conservative. However,

Backtest performance

Annualised return4.49%
Volatility15.92%
Beta0.47
Sharpe ratio0.36
Sortino ratio0.54
Maximum drawdown-45.22%