Title :
A class of log-optimal utility functions
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Electr. Eng., Princeton Univ., Princeton, NJ, USA
Abstract :
One of the classic observations in investment theory is that maximizing the expected-log-return of a portfolio results in the greatest long-term growth of wealth. The log-optimal portfolio is both competitively optimal and pathwise dominant. Nevertheless, investment researchers and practitioners don´t all latch on to the log-optimal doctrine, even for theoretical guidance. A common alternative is to use a utility function to evaluate an investment strategy. At first glance it seems that any (non-decreasing) utility function would point to the log-optimal portfolio, at least in the limit. This is known not to be the case. In this work we identify sufficient conditions on a utility function that will produce a happy marriage between utility theory and optimal growth-rate of wealth.
Keywords :
investment; utility theory; classic observations; expected log return; investment researchers; investment theory; log optimal doctrine; log optimal utility functions; long term growth; optimal growth rate; utility theory; Investments; Polynomials; Portfolios; Probability distribution; Utility theory; Vectors;
Conference_Titel :
Information Theory and Applications Workshop (ITA), 2012
Conference_Location :
San Diego, CA
Print_ISBN :
978-1-4673-1473-2
DOI :
10.1109/ITA.2012.6181818