Comparing Different Information Levels

Abstract

Given a sequence of random variables ${\bf X}=X_1,X_2,\ldots$ suppose the aim is to maximize one's return by picking a `favorable' $X_i$. Obviously, the expected payoff crucially depends on the information at hand. An optimally informed person knows all the values $X_i=x_i$ and thus receives $E (\sup X_i)$. We will compare this return to the expected payoffs of a number of observers having less information, in particular $\sup_i (EX_i)$, the value of the sequence to a person who only knows the first moments of the random variables. In general, there is a stochastic environment (i.e. a class of random variables $\cal C$), and several levels of information. Given some ${\bf X} \in {\cal C}$, an observer possessing information $j$ obtains $r_j({\bf X})$. We are going to study `information sets' of the form $$ R_{\cal C}^{j,k} = \{ (x,y) | x = r_j({\bf X}), y=r_k({\bf X}), {\bf X} \in {\cal C} \}, $$ characterizing the advantage of $k$ relative to $j$. Since such a set measures the additional payoff by virtue of increased information, its analysis yields a number of interesting results, in particular `prophet-type' inequalities.