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Risk neutrality regions

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  • Kannai, Yakar
  • Selden, Larry
  • Kang, Minwook
  • Wei, Xiao

Abstract

An Expected Utility maximizer can be risk neutral over a set of nondegenerate multivariate distributions even though her NM (von Neumann Morgenstern) index is not linear. We provide necessary and sufficient conditions for an individual with a concave NM utility to exhibit risk neutral behavior and characterize the regions of the choice space over which risk neutrality is exhibited. The least concave decomposition of the NM index introduced by Debreu (1976) plays an important role in our analysis as do the notions of minimum concavity points and minimum concavity directions. For the special case where one choice variable is certain, the analysis of risk neutrality requires modification of the Debreu decomposition. The existence of risk neutrality regions is shown to have important implications for the classic consumption–savings and representative agent equilibrium asset pricing models.

Suggested Citation

  • Kannai, Yakar & Selden, Larry & Kang, Minwook & Wei, Xiao, 2016. "Risk neutrality regions," Journal of Mathematical Economics, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 75-89.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:mateco:v:62:y:2016:i:c:p:75-89
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jmateco.2015.10.010
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    References listed on IDEAS

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