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Optimal pricing by a risk-averse seller

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  • Tomer Siedner

Abstract

We consider the basic setup of one seller, one buyer, and one good, where the seller is risk averse, and characterize the mechanism that maximizes the seller's expected utility. In contrast to the risk-neutral case, where a single deterministic price is optimal, we show that in the risk averse case the optimal mechanism consists of a continuum of lotteries.

Suggested Citation

  • Tomer Siedner, 2019. "Optimal pricing by a risk-averse seller," Discussion Paper Series dp725, The Federmann Center for the Study of Rationality, the Hebrew University, Jerusalem.
    • Handle: RePEc:huj:dispap:dp725
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hart, Sergiu & Nisan, Noam, 2017. "Approximate revenue maximization with multiple items," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 172(C), pages 313-347.
    2. Sergiu Hart & Philip J. Reny, 2017. "The Better Half of Selling Separately," Papers 1712.08973, arXiv.org, revised Oct 2018.
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    12. Sergiu Hart & Noam Nisan, 2013. "The Menu-Size Complexity of Auctions," Discussion Paper Series dp637, The Federmann Center for the Study of Rationality, the Hebrew University, Jerusalem.
    13. McAfee, R. Preston & McMillan, John, 1987. "Auctions with a stochastic number of bidders," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 43(1), pages 1-19, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Maya Bar-Hillel & Cass R. Sunstein, 2019. "Baffling bathrooms: On navigability and choice architecture," Discussion Paper Series dp726, The Federmann Center for the Study of Rationality, the Hebrew University, Jerusalem.

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