Lower limits and equivalences for convolution tails

Suppose $F$ is a distribution on the half-line $[0,\infty)$. We study the limits of the ratios of tails $\bar{F*F}(x)/\bar{F}(x)$ as $x\to\infty$. We also discuss the classes of distributions ${\mathcal{S}}$, ${\mathcal{S}}(\gamma)$ and ${\mathcal{S}}^*$.Comment: Published at http://dx.doi.org/10.1214/009117906000000647 in the Annals of Probability (http://www.imstat.org/aop/) by the Institute of Mathematical Statistics (http://www.imstat.org

Local asymptotics for the time of first return to the origin of transient random walk

We consider a transient random walk on $Z^d$ which is asymptotically stable, without centering, in a sense which allows different norming for each component. The paper is devoted to the asymptotics of the probability of the first return to the origin of such a random walk at time $n$

Tail asymptotics for the supercritical Galton-Watson process in the heavy-tailed case

As well known, for a supercritical Galton-Watson process $Z_n$ whose offspring distribution has mean $m>1$, the ratio $W_n:=Z_n/m^n$ has a.s. limit, say $W$. We study tail behaviour of the distributions of $W_n$ and $W$ in the case where $Z_1$ has heavy-tailed distribution, that is, \E e^{\lambda Z_1}=\infty for every $\lambda>0$. We show how different types of distributions of $Z_1$ lead to different asymptotic behaviour of the tail of $W_n$ and $W$. We describe the most likely way how large values of the process occur

Tail behaviour of stationary distribution for Markov chains with asymptotically zero drift

We consider a Markov chain on $R^+$ with asymptotically zero drift and finite second moments of jumps which is positive recurrent. A power-like asymptotic behaviour of the invariant tail distribution is proven; such a heavy-tailed invariant measure happens even if the jumps of the chain are bounded. Our analysis is based on test functions technique and on construction of a harmonic function.Comment: 27 page

At the Edge of Criticality: Markov Chains with Asymptotically Zero Drift

In Chapter 2 we introduce a classification of Markov chains with asymptotically zero drift, which relies on relations between first and second moments of jumps. We construct an abstract Lyapunov functions which looks similar to functions which characterise the behaviour of diffusions with similar drift and diffusion coefficient. Chapter 3 is devoted to the limiting behaviour of transient chains. Here we prove converges to $\Gamma$ and normal distribution which generalises papers by Lamperti, Kersting and Klebaner. We also determine the asymptotic behaviour of the cumulative renewal function. In Chapter 4 we introduce a general strategy of change of measure for Markov chains with asymptotically zero drift. This is the most important ingredient in our approach to recurrent chains. Chapter 5 is devoted to the study of the limiting behaviour of recurrent chains with the drift proportional to $1/x$. We derive asymptotics for a stationary measure and determine the tail behaviour of recurrence times. All these asymptotics are of power type. In Chapter 6 we show that if the drift is of order $x^{-\beta}$ then moments of all orders $k\le [1/\beta]+1$ are important for the behaviour of stationary distributions and pre-limiting tails. Here we obtain Weibull-like asymptotics. In Chapter 7 we apply our results to different processes, e.g. critical and near-critical branching processes, risk processes with reserve-dependent premium rate, random walks conditioned to stay positive and reflected random walks. In Chapter 8 we consider asymptotically homogeneous in space Markov chains for which we derive exponential tail asymptotics

On lower limits and equivalences for distribution tails of randomly stopped sums

For a distribution $F^{*\tau}$ of a random sum $S_{\tau}=\xi_1+...+\xi_{\tau}$ of i.i.d. random variables with a common distribution $F$ on the half-line $[0,\infty)$, we study the limits of the ratios of tails $\bar{F^{*\tau}}(x)/\bar{F}(x)$ as $x\to\infty$ (here, $\tau$ is a counting random variable which does not depend on $\{\xi_n\}_{n\ge1}$). We also consider applications of the results obtained to random walks, compound Poisson distributions, infinitely divisible laws, and subcritical branching processes.Comment: Published in at http://dx.doi.org/10.3150/07-BEJ111 the Bernoulli (http://isi.cbs.nl/bernoulli/) by the International Statistical Institute/Bernoulli Society (http://isi.cbs.nl/BS/bshome.htm