Difference Between Sharpe Ratio vs Sortino Ratio

What is the Sortino Ratio in Mutual Funds?

What is the Sharpe Ratio in Mutual Funds?

What is the Difference Between Sharpe Ratio and Sortino Ratio?

Understanding the difference between the two ratios helps you make informed decisions. The table below explores the differences between Sharpe and Sortino Ratio to give a better understanding:

Parameter Sharpe Ratio Sortino Ratio
Application A good Sharpe ratio is helpful in the case of diversified portfolios, where positive and negative fluctuations matter. It is also valuable for comparing risk-adjusted returns over investments. The Sortino ratio applies more to protective investment strategies such as risk-averse funds. This indicates how well an investment would protect against risks.
Sensitivity It gives an idea of positive and negative price or asset value changes. It reflects only negative changes in the asset value and neglects the positive asset value.
Interpretation A higher Sharpe ratio means better risk-adjusted returns, considering all volatility. However, it doesn't separate good (positive) volatility from bad (negative) volatility. A higher Sortino ratio means better performance concerning downside risk. It gives a better idea of how well an investment avoids losses.
Volatility The Sharpe ratio treats all volatility equally. This makes investments with high positive returns look less attractive. The Sortino ratio ignores positive volatility. This might miss the complete picture of an investment's overall performance.
When to Use? It's best for analyzing traditional portfolios where both upside and downside risks are essential. It provides a balanced view of performance. It's ideal for investments that avoid losses, like income funds or low-risk strategies. It highlights how well risks are managed on the downside.

Advantages of Sharpe Ratio and Sortino Ratio

The Sharpe and Sortino ratios are widely used metrics for evaluating investment performance. Both are valuable tools and offer the following benefits:

Aspect Advantages of Sharpe Ratio Advantages of Sortino Ratio
Comprehensive Risk Assessment It measures the risk-adjusted returns, incorporating both upside and downside volatility. Thus, the ratio is flexible, enabling the investor to understand the overall risk of an investment. It focuses only on downside risk. Hence, it provides a clearer understanding of risk for investors concerned with potential losses, ignoring positive volatility.
Ease of Use The Sharpe ratio formula is simple to compute and has only return, risk-free rate, and standard deviation variables. Thus, it is convenient for those with little or no investing experience. Simple to compute with a focus on downside risk. This makes it particularly useful for risk-averse investors looking for a straightforward way to assess investments based on loss prevention.
Portfolio Optimisation The Sharpe ratio helps develop and optimize portfolios. It is a source that brings about the risk-return trade-off. Moreover, it encourages investors to find investments that increase the return on the risk taken. Helps optimize portfolios by focusing on investments that minimize downside risk, offering a suitable choice for those seeking to reduce the risk of significant losses.
Focus on Efficiency This metric focuses on efficiency by rewarding investments with higher returns and less associated risk. It is tuned to deliver the best possible outcomes and is averse to risk to attain higher returns. It also focuses on efficiency but emphasizes reducing downside risk. Thus making it ideal for investors who prioritize protection from potential losses while achieving returns.
Improved Decision Making It helps investors decide by considering both positive and negative volatilities. This can guide choices for higher returns balanced with higher risk. It aids investors by emphasizing decisions that prioritize downside risk management. Hence, it is a better tool for conservative strategies focused on loss minimization.
Enhanced Risk-Adjusted Return Performance Assists in assessing risk-adjusted returns by accounting for total volatility. Thus helping identify investments that balance risk and return effectively. Offers enhanced risk-adjusted return performance by eliminating positive volatility. Thus appealing to investors who are averse to risk and focusing on minimizing potential losses.

Disadvantages of Sharpe Ratio and Sortino Ratio

The Sharpe and Sortino ratios rely on historical data and may not accurately predict future performance. They have certain drawbacks that individuals must consider, such as:

Aspect Disadvantages of Sharpe Ratio Disadvantages of Sortino Ratio
Dependence on Historical Data The calculation relies on past performance history, which may not necessarily continue. Therefore, the projection might not be accurate under different market conditions. Similar to the Sharpe ratio, the Sortino ratio depends on historical data. Hence, it is an advanced method of interpreting dynamic market conditions.
Sensitivity to Inputs The Sharpe ratio is susceptible to the choice of the risk-free rate and the period of returns. Minor variations in these inputs may yield different results, making it less reliable in some cases for decision-making. A MAR (Minimum Acceptable Return) mandates careful selection, failing which the result will be distorted. Therefore, using it requires certain complexities, especially for non-active investors.

Which is Better: the Sharpe Ratio or the Sortino Ratio?

The choice depends on the individual's investment objectives, risk tolerance, and specific investment strategies.

1. Focus on Risk

A Sharpe ratio captures both positive and negative volatilities, generalizing the view of a risk-adjusted return. On the other hand, a Sortino ratio focuses solely on downside risk and is better for loss minimization.

2. Performance Evaluation

The Sharpe ratio is much better suited to assessing the overall investment performance because it adjusts the returns by the total risk. The Sortino ratio is a better view when the main goal is to minimize the downside risk.

3. Volatility Treatment

The Sharpe ratio treats all volatility equally, which may not appeal to investors who want to avoid adverse outcomes. The Sortino ratio penalizes only negative volatility, thus appealing more to those who avoid risk.

FAQs about Sharpe Ratio vs Sortino Ratio

Why is the Sortino ratio better for investors who worry about losses?

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The Sortino Ratio considers only the downside risk, i.e., the volatility portion that creates losses. Thus, it is more beneficial for conservative investors.

How does the Sortino ratio only consider the harmful risk?

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The Sortino ratio calculates risk only by using an unfavourable deviation from the expected return. That means it does not consider positive volatility.

How do the Sharpe and Sortino Ratios impact portfolio strategies?

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The Sharpe ratio optimizes a portfolio's return given a specific level of risk. In contrast, the Sortino ratio helps minimize the possibility of significant losses.

How does the Sortino ratio correct the Sharpe ratio's problem with downside risk?

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The Sortino ratio measures only losses while negating positive volatility. Hence, it is a much better measure of downside risk and reliable for conservative investors.

Why do fund managers like showing the Sortino ratio?

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Fund managers often use the Sortino ratio to showcase their downside risk management. Conservative investors also prefer this metric.

Can both the Sharpe and Sortino Ratios be used together for better insights?

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Yes, both ratios can be used together. While the Sharpe ratio would reveal a general risk-adjusted return, the Sortino ratio would indicate those downside risks.

How does a change in the risk-free rate affect the Sharpe and Sortino ratios?

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The Sharpe and Sortino ratios are sensitive to the risk-free rate, influencing the computation. The Sharpe ratio may have a more significant influence based on total volatility.

What is a good Sharpe ratio?

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A Sharpe ratio above 1 is good; above 2 is very good; and above 3 is excellent.

What is a good Sortino ratio?

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A Sortino ratio above 2 is generally deemed favourable, indicating strong risk-adjusted returns.

What is the difference between the Sharpe ratio and the Sortino ratio?

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The difference between Sharpe and Sortino denotes that the Sharpe ratio evaluates returns concerning the total volatility of both upside and downside effects. Meanwhile, the Sortino ratio only focuses on downside risk and thus provides a focused view of risk.

How to calculate the Sharpe ratio and Sortino ratio?

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The Sharpe ratio is calculated as the difference between the portfolio return and the risk-free rate divided by the portfolio's excess return standard deviation.

Sharpe Ratio = (R(p)-R(f)) / StdDev Rx,

In contrast, in the Sortino ratio, the portfolio return is subtracted from the risk-free return, and this difference is divided by the downside deviation or negative volatility.

Sortino Ratio = R – Rf / SD

What are the advantages of the Sharpe and Sortino ratio?

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One of the Sharpe ratio's merits is its simplicity and universal applicability in various investments. It provides a simple measure of risk-adjusted performance.

The key feature of the Sortino ratio is that it is a disciplined, risk-centric metric that explicitly focuses on downside risk or loss for the investor filtering it.

What are the disadvantages of the Sharpe and Sortino ratio?

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The major drawback of the Sharpe ratio is that it similarly treats upside and downside volatility. Thus, it negatively penalizes any investment, generating substantial positive swings.

The limitation of this Sortino Ratio is its reliance on some targeted return, which might tend towards subjectivity and affect how such a ratio is staged.

When should the Sharpe ratio and Sortino ratio be used?

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Use the Sharpe ratio to evaluate investments where upside and downside volatilities matter. Use the Sortino ratio when it is particularly interesting to understand the performance of strategies concentrating on riskless aggressiveness, such as strategies that maximize payout loss.

Disclaimer

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  • This is an informative article provided on 'as is' basis for awareness purpose only and not intended as a professional advice. The content of the article is derived from various open sources across the Internet. Digit Life Insurance is not promoting or recommending any aspect in the article or its correctness. Please verify the information and your requirement before taking any decisions.
  • All the figures reflected in the article are for illustrative purposes. The premium for Coverage that one buys depends on various factors including customer requirements, eligibility, age, demography, insurance provider, product, coverage amount, term and other factors
  • Tax Benefits, if applicable depend on the Tax Regime opted by the individual and the applicable tax provision. Please consult your Tax consultant before making any decision.

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