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Loss Aversion and Ruinous Optimal Wagering in the Markowitz Model of Non-Expected Utility

Author

Listed:
  • David Alan Peel

    (University of Lancaster Dept.Economics)

  • David Law

    (Bangor)

Abstract

The purpose in this note is to demonstrate that the non-expected utility model of Markowitz implies that agents can obtain maximum expected utility from wagering all of their wealth on actuarialy unfair high probability outcomes. In order to remove this property it is necessary to assume that loss aversion tends to infinity as stake size as a proportion of wealth approaches unity.

Suggested Citation

  • David Alan Peel & David Law, 2016. "Loss Aversion and Ruinous Optimal Wagering in the Markowitz Model of Non-Expected Utility," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 36(2), pages 688-695.
    • Handle: RePEc:ebl:ecbull:eb-15-00620
    as

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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Daniel Kahneman & Amos Tversky, 2013. "Prospect Theory: An Analysis of Decision Under Risk," World Scientific Book Chapters, in: Leonard C MacLean & William T Ziemba (ed.), HANDBOOK OF THE FUNDAMENTALS OF FINANCIAL DECISION MAKING Part I, chapter 6, pages 99-127, World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd..
    2. Harry Markowitz, 1952. "The Utility of Wealth," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 60(2), pages 151-151.
    3. David A. Peel & David Law, 2008. "Further Analysis of the Markowitz Model of Utility with a Small Degree of Probability Distortion," Journal of Gambling Business and Economics, University of Buckingham Press, vol. 2(3), pages 71-83, December.
    4. Milton Friedman & L. J. Savage, 1948. "The Utility Analysis of Choices Involving Risk," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 56(4), pages 279-279.
    5. Abdellaoui, Mohammed & Barrios, Carolina & Wakker, Peter P., 2007. "Reconciling introspective utility with revealed preference: Experimental arguments based on prospect theory," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 138(1), pages 356-378, May.
    6. Conlisk, John, 1993. "The Utility of Gambling," Journal of Risk and Uncertainty, Springer, vol. 6(3), pages 255-275, June.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Markowitz Model of Utility; Loss Aversion; Stake as a Proportion of Wealth;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D8 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty

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