Brinson Model for Equity Attribution

acoustic blues mariachi, acoustic chicago blues cape verdean · 4:22

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Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Portfolio manager Sarah built her strategy bold
With benchmark weights and active picks to hold
But when returns came rolling in that autumn day
She wondered where the alpha went astray
The Brinson Model holds the key to see
Three forces dancing in her equity

[Chorus]
Allocation, Selection, Interaction too
Three effects that tell us what the portfolio can do
Asset weights and stock picks, how they intertwine
Brinson breaks it down into components divine
A-S-I, decompose the why
Behind the numbers reaching for the sky

[Verse 2]
Allocation effect shows the sector bets
Overweight in tech while energy's in nets
Take the benchmark return times the weight you chose
Minus benchmark weight times benchmark's rose
Pure sector timing stripped of stock selection
This effect reveals your asset direction

[Chorus]
Allocation, Selection, Interaction too
Three effects that tell us what the portfolio can do
Asset weights and stock picks, how they intertwine
Brinson breaks it down into components divine
A-S-I, decompose the why
Behind the numbers reaching for the sky

[Verse 3]
Selection effect captures picking skill
Within each sector, beat the market still
Portfolio return minus benchmark's pace
Times the benchmark weight in that space
Stock-picking prowess isolated clean
From allocation's systematic scheme

[Bridge]
Interaction's where it gets complex and neat
When allocation and selection compete
Overweight a sector that outperformed strong
Double-counted value won't last long
Cross-effect adjustment makes the math complete
Three pure components, attribution's feat

[Chorus]
Allocation, Selection, Interaction too
Three effects that tell us what the portfolio can do
Asset weights and stock picks, how they intertwine
Brinson breaks it down into components divine
A-S-I, decompose the why
Behind the numbers reaching for the sky

[Outro]
Now Sarah sees her value-add so clear
Which decisions cost and which endear
Brinson Model splits the total score
Into three effects worth fighting for

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