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Optimal portfolio choice under loss aversion

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Author Info
A. Berkelaar ()
R. Kouwenberg () (FEW-Econometrie en besliskunde)

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Abstract

Prospect theory and loss aversion play a dominant role in behavioral finance. In this paper we derive closed-form solutions for optimal portfolio choice under loss aversion. When confronted with gains a loss averse investor behaves similar to a portfolio insurer. When confronted with losses, the investor aims at maximizing the probability that terminal wealth exceeds his aspiration level. Our analysis indicates that a representative agent model with loss aversion cannot resolve the equity premium puzzle. We also extend the martingale methodology to allow for more general utility functions and provide a simple approach to incorporate skewed and fat-tailed return distributions.

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Paper provided by Erasmus University Rotterdam, Econometric Institute in its series Econometric Institute Report with number 187.

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Date of creation: 2000
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Handle: RePEc:dgr:eureir:2000187

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Related research
Keywords: optimal asset allocation behavioral finance loss aversion;

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Find related papers by JEL classification:
G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions
G12 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Asset Pricing

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References listed on IDEAS
Please report citation or reference errors to , or , if you are the registered author of the cited work, log in to your RePEc Author Service profile, click on "citations" and make appropriate adjustments.:
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    Other versions:
  18. John Y. Campbell & John Cochrane, 1999. "Force of Habit: A Consumption-Based Explanation of Aggregate Stock Market Behavior," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 107(2), pages 205-251, April. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
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    Other versions:
  20. Merton, Robert C, 1969. "Lifetime Portfolio Selection under Uncertainty: The Continuous-Time Case," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 51(3), pages 247-57, August. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
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Full references

Cited by:
(explanations, Please report citation or reference errors to , or , if you are the registered author of the cited work, log in to your RePEc Author Service profile, click on "citations" and make appropriate adjustments.)

  1. Nicholas Barberis & Wei Xiong, 2006. "What Drives the Disposition Effect? An Analysis of a Long-Standing Preference-Based Explanation," NBER Working Papers 12397, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  2. Erick W. Rengifo & Emanuela Trifan, 2007. "Investors Facing Risk: Loss Aversion and Wealth Allocation Between Risky and Risk-Free Assets," Darmstadt Discussion Papers in Economics 180, Institut für Volkswirtschaftslehre (Department of Economics), Technische Universität Darmstadt (Darmstadt University of Technology). [Downloadable!]
  3. Erick Rengifo & Emanuela Trifan, 2008. "How Investors Face Financial Risk Loss Aversion and Wealth Allocation," Fordham Economics Discussion Paper Series dp2008-01, Fordham University, Department of Economics. [Downloadable!]
  4. Peter Vlaar, 2005. "Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Regulation," DNB Working Papers 063, Netherlands Central Bank, Research Department. [Downloadable!]
  5. Andrew Ang & Geert Bekaert & Jun Liu, 2000. "Why Stocks May Disappoint," NBER Working Papers 7783, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
    Other versions:
  6. Bernard, Carole & Ghossoub, Mario, 2009. "Static Portfolio Choice under Cumulative Prospect Theory," MPRA Paper 15446, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 29 Apr 2009. [Downloadable!]
  7. Mark Grinblatt & Bing Han, 2001. "The Disposition Effect and Momentum," University of California at Los Angeles, Anderson Graduate School of Management 1019, Anderson Graduate School of Management, UCLA. [Downloadable!]
    Other versions:
  8. Arjen Siegmann & André Lucas, 2002. "Explaining Hedge Fund Investment Styles by Loss Aversion," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 02-046/2, Tinbergen Institute. [Downloadable!]
  9. Koedijk, Kees & Kole, Erik & Verbeek, Marno, 2006. "Selecting Copulas for Risk Management," CEPR Discussion Papers 5652, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
    Other versions:
  10. Ulrich Schmidt & Horst Zank, 2005. "What is Loss Aversion?," Journal of Risk and Uncertainty, Springer, vol. 30(2), pages 157-167, January. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
    Other versions:
  11. Mattos, Fabio & Garcia, Philip & Pennings, Joost M.E., 2007. "Insights into Trader Behavior: Risk Aversion and Probability Weighting," 2007 Conference, April 16-17, 2007, Chicago, Illinois 37569, NCCC-134 Conference on Applied Commodity Price Analysis, Forecasting, and Market Risk Management. [Downloadable!]
  12. Hens, Thorsten & Vlcek, Martin, 2005. "Does Prospect Theory Explain the Disposition Effect?," Discussion Papers 2005/18, Department of Finance and Management Science, Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration. [Downloadable!]
  13. Horst Zank, 2007. "On the Paradigm of Loss Aversion," The School of Economics Discussion Paper Series 0710, Economics, The University of Manchester. [Downloadable!]
  14. Enrico G. De Giorgi, 2009. "Goal-Based Investing with Cumulative Prospect Theory and Satisficing Behavior," University of St. Gallen Department of Economics working paper series 2009 2009-22, Department of Economics, University of St. Gallen. [Downloadable!]
  15. Enrico Giorgi & Thorsten Hens, 2006. "Making prospect theory fit for finance," Financial Markets and Portfolio Management, Springer, vol. 20(3), pages 339-360, September. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
    Other versions:
  16. Døskeland, Trond M. & Nordahl, Helge A., 2006. "Optimal Pension Insurance Design," Discussion Papers 2006/14, Department of Finance and Management Science, Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration, revised 21 Jun 2007. [Downloadable!]
  17. A. Berkelaar & R. Kouwenberg, 2000. "From boom til bust," Econometric Institute Report 196, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Econometric Institute. [Downloadable!]
  18. Anderson, Anders E. S., 2004. "One for the Gain, Three for the Loss," SIFR Research Report Series 20, Institute for Financial Research. [Downloadable!]
  19. Menkhoff, Lukas & Schmeling, Maik, 2006. "A Prospect-Theoretical Interpretation of Momentum Returns," Diskussionspapiere der Wirtschaftswissenschaftlichen Fakultät der Universität Hannover dp-335, Universität Hannover, Wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Fakultät. [Downloadable!]
    Other versions:
  20. Thorsten Hens & Martin Vlcek, 2006. "Does Prospect Theory Explain the Disposition Effect?," IEW - Working Papers iewwp262, Institute for Empirical Research in Economics - IEW. [Downloadable!]
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