Moments of random multiplicative functions and truncated characteristic polynomials

Abstract: We give an asymptotic formula for the $2k$th moment of a sum of multiplicative Steinhaus variables. This was recently computed independently by Harper, Nikeghbali and Radziwi\l\l. We also compute the $2k$th moment of a truncated characteristic polynomial of a unitary matrix. This provides an asymptotic equivalence with the moments of Steinhaus variables. Similar results for multiplicative Rademacher variables are given.