Entropy Regularization under Bayesian Drift Uncertainty
Optimization and Control
2026-04-13 v2 Portfolio Management
Abstract
We study entropy-regularized mean-variance portfolio optimization under Bayesian drift uncertainty. Gaussian policies remain optimal under partial information, the value function is quadratic in wealth, and belief-dependent coefficients admit closed-form solutions. The mean control is identical to deterministic Bayesian Markowitz feedback; entropy regularization affects only the policy variance. Additionally, this variance does not affect information gain, and instead provides belief-dependent robustness. Notably, optimal policy variance increases with posterior conviction , forcing greater action randomization when mean position is most aggressive.
Keywords
Cite
@article{arxiv.2602.16862,
title = {Entropy Regularization under Bayesian Drift Uncertainty},
author = {Andy Au},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2602.16862},
year = {2026}
}
Comments
22 pages, 2 figures