KAN based Autoencoders for Factor Models

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KAN based Autoencoders for Factor Models

Tianqi Wang
Shubham Singh
Published on 8/4/2024
Equities
Stocks
Machine learning
Factor investing
Deep learning
Long short equity

This paper proposes a novel approach to latent factor conditional asset pricing models using Kolmogorov-Arnold Networks (KANs) as the basis for autoencoders. Unlike traditional methods that rely on Multilayer Perceptrons (MLPs) with ReLU activations, the KAN-based autoencoder offers enhanced flexibility in modeling nonlinear relationships between asset characteristics and factor exposures, while also improving interpretability. The authors demonstrate through empirical backtesting that their model outperforms MLP-based counterparts in explaining cross-sectional risk exposures. Additionally, long-short portfolios constructed using the model's predictions achieve higher Sharpe ratios, indicating practical value for investment management. The work highlights the potential of KANs in financial applications, particularly for asset pricing and portfolio construction.

Highlights

  • 1Introduces KAN-based autoencoders for latent factor conditional asset pricing models, outperforming MLP-based models.
  • 2Enhances interpretability of latent factors by leveraging the structure of Kolmogorov-Arnold Networks.
  • 3Achieves superior cross-sectional risk exposure explanation and higher Sharpe ratios in long-short portfolios.
  • 4Provides flexible nonlinear modeling of factor exposures as functions of asset characteristics.

Methods

  • M
    Kolmogorov-Arnold Network (KAN) autoencoder architecture
  • M
    Latent factor conditional asset pricing model
  • M
    Empirical backtesting and long-short portfolio construction

Results

  • R
    KAN-based autoencoder surpasses MLP models in accuracy for explaining cross-sectional risk exposures.
  • R
    Long-short portfolios based on KAN model predictions achieve higher Sharpe ratios.
  • R
    Model offers improved interpretability of latent factors compared to MLP approaches.
  • R
    Nonlinear exposure functions learned by KAN provide better fit to asset characteristics.
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