Long-run analysis is often based on perfect foresight equilibrium relationships arbitrarily augmented to incorporate stochastic shocks. This paper examines whether perfect foresight models admit interpretations as limits of stochastic economies and reflect long-run behavior and policy effects....

The authors investigate why 75 percent of U.S. households do not hold stocks despite the equity premium and predictions of expected-utility models. The question is relevant for privatization, asset pricing, and tax progressivity issues. They show that risk aversion per se, heterogeneity of...

Despite increased stockholding opportunities, standard expected-utility models overpredict household participation and stock holdings. It has been suggested that departures from expected utility could resolve both puzzles. We investigate three measurable departures: (i) Kreps-Porteus...