Barriers and Optimal Investment

Abstract

This paper analyzes the impact of different types of barriers on the decision to invest using a simple framework based on stochastic discount factors. Our intuitive approach proposes an alternative to the real options methodology that does not rely on the “smooth-pasting condition.” An application to MacDonald and Siegel’s canonical investment problem (1986) shows that the standard investment threshold over-estimates the optimal threshold when the lower barrier is absorbing and under-estimates it when the lower barrier is reflecting.investment; uncertainty; irreversibility; barriers; real options