A Strategic Asset Allocation (SAA) for an Endowment has been created and consists of 40% allocation to the domestic bond market and 60% allocation to the domestic equity market.

Based on historical 20 year data, the average volatility and return for the two asset classes and the SAA are as follows (all figures have been annualised and in real terms):

BondsEquitiesSAAReturns1.5%8.3%5.58%Volatility2.2%13.7%9.5%

The Endowment has a required real return of 5.5% per annum, which includes 4% for an annual spend (on operations), 0.5% for management fee and 1% increase in the real value of the fund. The risk objective requires the volatility below 10% per annum.

Based on the above table, it seems that the SAA is suitable to achieve the investment objectives.

Pleaseexplainhow Back-Testing or Out-of-Sample Testing a SAAusing real returns for the portfolio, a Notional Dollar starting portfolio value and taking into account an annual spend and fees can provide additional information regarding thesuitabilityof the SAA to achieve investment objectives.