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Salemicus comments on A hypothetical question for investors - Less Wrong Discussion

3 Post author: bokov 03 December 2014 04:39PM

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Comment author: Salemicus 03 December 2014 05:06:55PM *  1 point [-]

Let's say you want to maximise your expected utility. You know the probability density function of the closing price, p(x). Let's also suppose you know your own utility function, U(y). Let's say last night's closing price was x', and you currently hold Z in assets.

Then if yesterday you were all in cash, your expected utility is U(Z) if you stay in cash, and integral x=-infinity to x=infinity of U((Z-2) * (x / x') * p(x)) dx if you switch to stocks. If yesterday you were all in stocks, your expected utility is U(Z-2) if you switch to cash, and integral x=-infinity to x=infinity of U(Z * (x / x') * p(x))dx if you stay in stocks.

So choose the larger utility.

Or, to make it much simpler, let's say you're trying to maximise your expected return the next day. If you're in cash, and integral (Z -2) * (x/x') * p(x)dx > Z, switch to shares, otherwise stay in cash. If you're in shares, and integral Z * (x/x') p(x)dx < Z -2, switch to cash, otherwise stay in stocks.