You will put yourself in the place of Rahul Sharma and create three different optimal portfolios under different restrictions using Excel solver. For this task, assume a risk$-$free rate of $8\%.$

Portfolio $1$: Initially assume that the following restrictions are needed in Sharma's optimal portfolio:

The proportion of any asset in the portfolio should not exceed $20\%.$

No short selling or borrowing allowed.

The sum of weights needs to be $100\%.$

This is an example of constrained optimal portfolio. To create this optimal portfolio, I prepare a step$-$by$-$step guideline in the Appendi You need to use the data in Sheet $2$ of the spreadsheet provided with the case.

Once the Excel Solver runs successfully, copy the solution generated by the Excel Solver $($asset weights, optimal portfolio, expected return, standard deviation and the Sharpe ratio$)$ into another sheet or word file.

Portfolio $2$: Now create another portfolio following the same guideline in the Appendix. The only difference is that in this second portfolio, we do not impose the first restriction $($i$.$e$.$ no asset can have more than $20\%).$ Note that all you need to do is to open the Excel Solve dialogue box and delete this restriction. After the solution is generated, please again copy the solution into another sheet or word file.

Portfolio $3$: Finally, create a third portfolio by further relaxing the short$-$selling restriction. In other words, this portfolio has no restriction other than the sum of weights needs to be equal to $100\%.$