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Asymptotically optimal prior-free clock auctions

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  • Loertscher, Simon
  • Marx, Leslie M.

Abstract

Clock auctions have a number of properties that make them attractive for practical purposes. They are weakly group strategy-proof, make bidding truthfully an obviously dominant strategy, and preserve trading agents' privacy. However, optimal reserve prices and stopping rules depend on the details of underlying distributions, and so clock auctions have proved challenging to implement in a prior-free, asymptotically optimal way. In this paper, we develop a prior-free clock auction that is asymptotically optimal by exploiting a relationship between hazard rates and the spacings between order statistics. Extensions permit price discrimination among heterogeneous groups, minimum revenue thresholds, and quantity caps.

Suggested Citation

  • Loertscher, Simon & Marx, Leslie M., 2020. "Asymptotically optimal prior-free clock auctions," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 187(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jetheo:v:187:y:2020:i:c:s002205312030034x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jet.2020.105030
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    Cited by:

    1. Philippe Choné & Laurent Linnemer & Thibaud Vergé, 2021. "Double Marginalization and Vertical Integration," CESifo Working Paper Series 8971, CESifo.
    2. Loertscher, Simon & Marx, Leslie M., 2023. "Asymptotically optimal prior-free asset market mechanisms," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 137(C), pages 68-90.
    3. Simon Loertscher & Leslie M. Marx, 2021. "Coordinated Effects in Merger Review," Journal of Law and Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 64(4), pages 705-744.
    4. Pasha Andreyanov & Grigory Franguridi, 2021. "Nonparametric inference on counterfactuals in first-price auctions," Papers 2106.13856, arXiv.org, revised Jun 2022.
    5. Kenneth Hendricks & Thomas Wiseman, 2021. "How To Sell (or Procure) in a Sequential Auction," Papers 2110.13121, arXiv.org.
    6. Marek Pycia & Peter Troyan, 2021. "A theory of simplicity in games and mechanism design," ECON - Working Papers 393, Department of Economics - University of Zurich.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Asymptotic optimality; Estimating virtual types; Spacings;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C72 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Noncooperative Games
    • D44 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - Auctions
    • L13 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Oligopoly and Other Imperfect Markets

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