Final answer:
Portfolio B (expected return of 18% and standard deviation of 32%) could not lie on the efficient frontier.
Step-by-step explanation:
Based on Markowitz's work, the portfolios that lie on the efficient frontier are the ones that provide the highest expected return for a given level of risk. Therefore, any portfolio that has a lower expected return or a higher standard deviation than another portfolio on the efficient frontier cannot lie on the efficient frontier.
Let's analyze the portfolios mentioned:
- Portfolio A: expected return of 10% and standard deviation of 20%.
- Portfolio B: expected return of 18% and standard deviation of 32%.
- Portfolio C: expected return of 14% and standard deviation of 18%.
- Portfolio D: expected return of 9% and standard deviation of 11%.
Based on this information, we can conclude that Portfolio B (expected return of 18% and standard deviation of 32%) could not lie on the efficient frontier, as it has a higher standard deviation than Portfolio C (expected return of 14% and standard deviation of 18%), which provides a higher expected return at a lower level of risk.