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Ambiguity, Risk and Portfolio Choice under Incomplete Information

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  • Jianjun Miao

    (Department of Economics, Boston University)

Abstract

This paper studies optimal consumption and portfolio choice in a Mertonstyle model with incomplete information when there is a distinction between ambiguity and risk. The latter distinction is afforded by adoption of recursive multiple-priors utility. The fundamental issues are: (i) How does the agent optimally estimate the unobservable processes as new information arrives over time? (ii) What are the effects of ambiguity and incomplete information on behavior? This paper shows that it is optimal to first use any prior to perform Bayesian estimation and then to maximize expected utility with that prior based on the resulting estimates. Finally, the paper shows that a hedging demand arises that is affected by both ambiguity and estimation risk.

Suggested Citation

  • Jianjun Miao, 2009. "Ambiguity, Risk and Portfolio Choice under Incomplete Information," Annals of Economics and Finance, Society for AEF, vol. 10(2), pages 257-279, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:cuf:journl:y:2009:v:10:i:2:p:257-279
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Ambiguity; Recursive multiple-priors utility; Incomplete information; Portfolio choice; Hedging; Estimation risk;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D81 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Criteria for Decision-Making under Risk and Uncertainty
    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions

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