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An agent wishes to solve his optimisation problem: $ \mbox{max}_{\theta} \ \ \mathbb{E}U(\theta S_1 + (w - \theta) + Y)$, where $S_1$ is a random variable, $Y$ a contingent claim and $U(x) = x - \frac{1}{2}\epsilon x^2$.

My problem is - how to I 'get rid' of '$\mathbb{E}$', to get something I can work with? Thanks

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    what do you mean with 'get rid' of expectation? do you or your agent know the distribution of $S_1$ and $Y$?2011-10-19
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    Apologies, on rereading that isn't clear at all. The question is Q6 from here: http://www.dpmms.cam.ac.uk/study/II/FinancialModels/2010-2011/sfmX1_11.pdf I'm not sure how to proceed - the only similar examples I've seen before have been able to calculate what the expectation actually is, and then proceed to maximise it, but I'm not sure how to2011-10-19
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    Have you tried to substitute $U$ in this expression and open the brackets using the linearity of the expectation? The shape of $U$ gives a guess that to solve that problem you may should have to find the maximum of a parabola.2011-10-19
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    Thanks - got it out now. I think, because of a poor stats background, I keep assuming there's something more complicated and statsy to be done. I appreciate your help.2011-10-20

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Expanding the comment by Ilya: $$\mathbb{E}\,U(\theta S_1 + (w - \theta) + Y) =\mathbb{E} (\theta S_1 + (w - \theta) + Y) - \frac{\epsilon}{2} \mathbb{E} \left((\theta S_1 + (w - \theta) + Y)^2\right) $$ is a quadratic polynomial in $\theta $ with negative leading coefficients. Its unique point of maximum is found by setting the derivative to $0$.