Market Selection and Welfare in a Multi-asset Economy

B-Tier
Journal: Review of Finance
Year: 2013
Volume: 17
Issue: 3
Pages: 1179-1237

Authors (3)

Yurii Fedyk (not in RePEc) Christian Heyerdahl-Larsen (Indiana University) Johan Walden (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

0.670 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We analyze the performance of irrational investors, who mistake expected returns of assets in a multi-asset economy. Mistakes by probabilistically unsophisticated investors that a priori seem small lead to severe underperformance compared with rational investors, under general conditions. Our results contrast with previous studies of single-asset economies, which find modest underperformance by irrational investors. In a calibration, an irrational investor who mistakes expected returns by 20% loses almost 95% of his consumption and wealth in about 25 years. The welfare cost of this underperformance is significant, about 40% of the total wealth in the economy. Copyright 2013, Oxford University Press.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:oup:revfin:v:17:y:2013:i:3:p:1179-1237
Journal Field
Finance
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-02-02