New approach to stochastic optimal control and applications to economics

This paper provides new insights into the solution of optimal stochastic control problems by means of a system of partial differential equations, which characterize directly the optimal control. This new system is obtained by the application of the stochastic maximum principle at every initial condition, assuming that the optimal controls are smooth enough. The type of problems considered are those where the diffusion coefficient is independent of the control variables, which are supposed to be interior to the control region. The results obtained are applied to the study of the classical consumption–savings model

Optimal asset allocation for aggregated defined benefit pension funds with stochastic interest rates

In this paper we study the optimal management of an aggregated pension fund of defined benefit type, in the presence of a stochastic interest rate. We suppose that the sponsor can invest in a savings account, in a risky stock and in a bond, with the aim of minimizing deviations of the unfunded actuarial liability from zero along a finite time horizon. We solve the problem by means of optimal stochastic control techniques and analyze the influence on the optimal solution of some of the parameters involved in the model

Certainty equivalence principle in stochastic differential games: An inverse problem approach

Producción CientíficaThis paper aims to characterize a class of stochastic differential games, which satisfy the certainty equivalence principle beyond the cases with quadratic, linear, or logarithmic value functions. We focus on scalar games with linear dynamics in the players' strategies and with separable payoff functionals. Our results are based on the resolution of an inverse problem that determines strictly concave utility functions of the players so that the game satisfies the certainty equivalence principle. Besides establishing necessary and sufficient conditions, the results obtained in this paper are also a tool for discovering new closed-form solutions, as we show in two specific applications: in a generalization of a dynamic advertising model and in a game of noncooperative exploitation of a productive asset.Este trabajo se ha hecho con ayuda de los proyectos del Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad, Grant/Award Number: ECO2017-86261-P, ECO2014-56384-P, y MDM 2014-0431, de la Consejería de Educación, Juventud y Deporte de la Comunidad de Madrid, Grant/Award Number: MadEco-CM S2015/HUM-3444, y de la Consejería de Educación de la Junta de Castilla y León VA148G18

Equilibrium strategies in a defined benefit pension plan game

Producción CientíficaWe study the optimal management of an aggregated overfunded pension plan of defined benefit type as a two-player noncooperative differential game. The model’s key fact is to consider the fund surplus as a strategic variable that makes the pension plan more attractive both for current and future participants. We let the worker participants to act collectively as a single player that claims a share of the surplus, and let the sponsoring firm act as the player that cares about the investment of the surplus fund assets. The union’s objective is to maximize the expected discounted utility of the extra benefits claimed. We solve this asymmetric game under two different assumptions on the preferences of the firm: in the first scenario, the firm aims to maximize expected discounted utility derived from fund surplus; while in the second scenario, the firm cares about minimizing the probability that the fund surplus reaches very low values.Este trabajo se ha hecho con ayuda de los proyectos del Ministerio de Economía Industria y Competitividad (Spain), ECO2017-86261-P , ECO2014-56384-P y MDM2014-0431, y de la Comunidad de Madrid MadEco-CM S2015/HUM-3444 y Comunidad de Castilla y León VA148G18

Markov Perfect Nash Equilibrium in stochastic differential games as solution of a generalized Euler Equations System

This paper gives a new method to characterize Markov Perfect Nash Equilibrium in stochastic differential games by means of a set of Generalized Euler Equations. Necessary and sufficient conditions are given

On one-dimensional stochastic control problems: applications to investment models

The paper provides a systematic way for finding a partial differential equation that characterize directly the optimal control, in the framework of one?dimensional stochastic control problems of Mayer, with no constraints on the controls. The results obtained are applied to some significative models in financial economics

New approach to stochastic optimal control and applications to economics

This paper provides new insights into the solution of optimal stochastic control problems by means of a system of partial differential equations, which characterize directly the optimal control. This new system is obtained by the application of the stochastic maximum principle at every initial condition, assuming that the optimal controls are smooth enough. The type of problems considered are those where the diffusion coefficient is independent of the control variables, which are supposed to be interior to the control region. The results obtained are applied to the study of the classical consumption–savings model.

On one-dimensional stochastic control problems: applications to investment models

The paper provides a systematic way for finding a partial differential equation that characterize directly the optimal control, in the framework of one?dimensional stochastic control problems of Mayer, with no constraints on the controls. The results obtained are applied to some significative models in financial economics.Dynamic programming, Stochastic control, Quasilinear parabolic equation, Investment problems

Markov Perfect Nash Equilibrium in stochastic differential games as solution of a generalized Euler Equations System

This paper gives a new method to characterize Markov Perfect Nash Equilibrium in stochastic differential games by means of a set of Generalized Euler Equations. Necessary and sufficient conditions are given.Stochastic differential games, Dynamic programming, Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman equation, Semilinear parabolic equation, Stochastic productive assets

Optimal asset allocation for aggregated defined benefit pension funds with stochastic interest rates.

In this paper we study the optimal management of an aggregated pension fund of defined benefit type, in the presence of a stochastic interest rate. We suppose that the sponsor can invest in a savings account, in a risky stock and in a bond with the aim of minimizing deviations of the unfunded actuarial liability from zero along a finite time horizon. We solve the problem by means of optimal stochastic control techniques and analyze the influence on the optimal solution of some of the parameters involved in the model.Pension funds; Stochastic control; Optimal portfolio; Stochastic interest rate;