arXiv · arXiv q-fin · 2018
We show that, in a resource allocation problem, the ex ante aggregate utility of players with cumulative-prospect-theoretic preferences can be increased over deterministic allocations by implementing lotteries. We formulate an optimization problem, called the system problem, to find the optimal lottery allocation. The system problem exhibits a two-layer structure comprised of a permutation profile and optimal allocat…
Soham R. Phade, Venkat Anantharam
arXiv · arXiv q-fin · 2025
We give a criterion under which the expected return on a ticket for certain large lotteries is positive. In this circumstance, we use elementary portfolio analysis to show that an optimal investment strategy includes a very small allocation for such tickets.
Aaron Abrams, Skip Garibaldi
arXiv · arXiv q-fin · 2021
In the high-stakes race to develop more scalable blockchains, some platforms (Binance, Cosmos, EOS, TRON, etc.) have adopted committee-based consensus (CBC) protocols, whereby the blockchain's record-keeping rights are entrusted to a committee of elected block producers. In theory, the smaller the committee, the faster the blockchain can reach consensus and the more it can scale. What's less clear, is whether such pr…
Alon Benhaim, Brett Hemenway Falk, Gerry Tsoukalas
arXiv · arXiv q-fin · 2017
By specifying model free preferences towards simple nested classes of lottery pairs, we develop the dual story to stand on equal footing with that of (primal) risk apportionment. The dual story provides an intuitive interpretation, and full characterization, of dual counterparts of such concepts as prudence and temperance. The direction of preference between these nested classes of lottery pairs is equivalent to sign…
Louis R. Eeckhoudt, Roger J. A. Laeven, Harris Schlesinger
arXiv · arXiv q-fin · 2015
There are some statistical anomalies in the Chinese stock market, i.e., positive return skewness, anti-leverage effect (positive returns induce higher volatility than negative returns); and reverse volatility asymmetry (contemporaneous return-volatility correlation is positive). In this paper, we first confirm the existence of these anomalies using daily firm-level stock return data on the raw returns, excess returns…
Liang Wu, Jingyi Luo, Yingkai Tang, Gregory Bardes
arXiv · arXiv q-fin · 2012
A quantum financial approach to finite games of strategy is addressed, with an extension of Nash's theorem to the quantum financial setting, allowing for an entanglement of games of strategy with two-period financial allocation problems that are expressed in terms of: the consumption plans' optimization problem in pure exchange economies and the finite-state securities market optimization problem, thus addressing, wi…
Carlos Pedro Gonçalves
arXiv · arXiv q-fin · 2010
A resolution of the St. Petersburg paradox is presented. In contrast to the standard resolution, utility is not required. Instead, the time-average performance of the lottery is computed. The final result can be phrased mathematically identically to Daniel Bernoulli's resolution, which uses logarithmic utility, but is derived using a conceptually different argument. The advantage of the time resolution is the elimina…
Ole Peters
arXiv · arXiv q-fin · 2025
This paper presents a comprehensive formalization of the von Neumann-Morgenstern (vNM) expected utility theorem using the Lean 4 interactive theorem prover. We implement the classical axioms of preference-completeness, transitivity, continuity, and independence-enabling machine-verified proofs of both the existence and uniqueness of utility representations. Our formalization captures the mathematical structure of pre…
Li Jingyuan
arXiv · arXiv q-fin · 2023
We focus on a behavioral model, that has been recently proposed in the literature, whose rational can be traced back to the Half-Full/Half-Empty glass metaphor. More precisely, we generalize the Half-Full/Half-Empty approach to the context of positive and negative lotteries and give financial and behavioral interpretations of the Half-Full/Half-Empty parameters. We develop a portfolio selection model based on the Hal…
Francesco Cesarone, Massimiliano Corradini, Lorenzo Lampariello, Jessica Riccioni
arXiv · arXiv q-fin · 2022
We derive a closed-form expression capturing the degree of Relative Risk Aversion (RRA) of investors for non-"fair" lotteries. We argue that our formula is superior to earlier methods that have been proposed, as it is a function of only three variables. Namely, the Treasury yields, the returns and the market capitalization of a specific market index. Our formula, is tested on CAC 40, EURO, S&P 500 and STOXX 600, with…
George Samartzis, Nikitas Pittis
arXiv · arXiv q-fin · 2022
We study the necessary and sufficient conditions under which the Mean-Variance Criterion (MVC) is equivalent to the Maximum Expected Utility Criterion (MEUC), for two lotteries. Based on Chamberlain (1983), we conclude that the MVC is equivalent to the Second-order Stochastic Dominance Rule (SSDR) under any symmetric Elliptical distribution. We then discuss the work of Schuhmacher et al. (2021). Although their theore…
George Samartzis, Nikitas Pittis
arXiv · arXiv q-fin · 2021
An important but understudied question in economics is how people choose when facing uncertainty in the timing of events. Here we study preferences over time lotteries, in which the payment amount is certain but the payment time is uncertain. Expected discounted utility theory (EDUT) predicts decision makers to be risk-seeking over time lotteries. We explore a normative model of growth-optimality, in which decision m…
Yonatan Berman, Mark Kirstein
arXiv · arXiv q-fin · 2015
The prospects of Kahneman and Tversky, Mega Million and Powerball lotteries, St. Petersburg paradox, premature profits and growing losses criticized by Livermore are reviewed under an angle of view comparing mathematical expectations with awards received. Original prospects have been formulated as a one time opportunity. An award value depends on the number of times the game is played. The random sample mean is discu…
Valerii Salov