 Geometric-sum moment-generating function

For a geometric distribution count on the positive integers, independent of independent and identically distributed random variables $X_i$, the moment-generating function of $S={\sum }_{i=1}^N{X}_i$ is the displayed expression. Condition on the count and sum a geometric series. For real $t$, the finite domain requires $M_X(t)<\infty$ and $(1-p)M_X(t)<1$. Positive summands always permit $t\le 0$, even when no positive exponential moment exists; this gives a Laplace transform of a nonnegative random variable. The aggregate has no mass at zero when all summands are strictly positive.