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Yuval Peres
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The hypothesis implies that $M_k=[e^{\sum_{n=1}^k X_n}]$ is a supermartingale, with $M_0=1$. Then the optional stopping theorem for positive supermartingales implies the requested inequality. (see e.g. Williams' book "Probability with martingales"). Note that no moment conditions on the stopping time $\tau$ are needed, just that it is an almost surely finite stopping time. Alternatively, look up "Wald's third identity"and apply it to the independent variables $e^{X_n}/[\mathbb{E}e^{X_n}]$ and the given stopping time. Note that the case of a general stopping time follows from the case of a bounded stopping time via Fatou's lemma.

Yuval Peres
  • 14.2k
  • 1
  • 28
  • 49