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Main Authors: Dizon, N. D., Huang, Q. Y., Chuong, T. D., Li, G., Jeyakumar, V.
Format: Preprint
Published: 2026
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Online Access:https://arxiv.org/abs/2602.20660
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author Dizon, N. D.
Huang, Q. Y.
Chuong, T. D.
Li, G.
Jeyakumar, V.
author_facet Dizon, N. D.
Huang, Q. Y.
Chuong, T. D.
Li, G.
Jeyakumar, V.
contents This paper investigates the minimization of the expectation of piecewise polynomial loss functions over Wasserstein balls. This optimization problem often appears as a key sub-problem of distributionally robust optimization problems. We establish the asymptotic convergence of a hierarchy of semi-definite programming (SDP) relaxations, providing a framework for approximating the optimal values of these inherently infinite-dimensional optimization problems. A central foundational contribution is the development of a new lifted positivity certificate: we demonstrate that piecewise polynomials positive over Archimedean basic semi-algebraic sets admit a structured system of sum-of-squares (SOS) representations. Furthermore, we prove that the proposed hierarchy achieves finite convergence under suitable conditions when the defining polynomials are convex. The practical utility and versatility of this approach are demonstrated via numerical experiments in revenue estimation and portfolio optimization.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2602_20660
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Convergent Lifted Lasserre Hierarchy of SDPs for Minimizing Expectation of Piecewise Polynomial Loss over Wasserstein Balls
Dizon, N. D.
Huang, Q. Y.
Chuong, T. D.
Li, G.
Jeyakumar, V.
Optimization and Control
This paper investigates the minimization of the expectation of piecewise polynomial loss functions over Wasserstein balls. This optimization problem often appears as a key sub-problem of distributionally robust optimization problems. We establish the asymptotic convergence of a hierarchy of semi-definite programming (SDP) relaxations, providing a framework for approximating the optimal values of these inherently infinite-dimensional optimization problems. A central foundational contribution is the development of a new lifted positivity certificate: we demonstrate that piecewise polynomials positive over Archimedean basic semi-algebraic sets admit a structured system of sum-of-squares (SOS) representations. Furthermore, we prove that the proposed hierarchy achieves finite convergence under suitable conditions when the defining polynomials are convex. The practical utility and versatility of this approach are demonstrated via numerical experiments in revenue estimation and portfolio optimization.
title Convergent Lifted Lasserre Hierarchy of SDPs for Minimizing Expectation of Piecewise Polynomial Loss over Wasserstein Balls
topic Optimization and Control
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2602.20660