This paper considers utility indifference valuation of derivatives under model uncertainty and trading constraints, where the utility is formulated as an additive stochastic differential utility of both intertemporal consumption and terminal wealth,
and the uncertain prospects are ranked according to a multiple-priors model of Chen and Epstein (2002). The price is determined by two optimal stochastic control problems (mixed with optimal stopping time in the case of American option) of forward-backward stochastic differential equations. By means of backward stochastic differential equation and partial differential equation methods, we show that both bid and ask prices are closely related to the Black-Scholes risk-neutral price with modified dividend rates. The two prices will actually coincide with each other if there is no trading constraint or the model uncertainty disappears. Finally, two applications to European option and American option are discussed.
This paper studies the valuation and optimal strategy of convertible bonds as a Dynkin game by using the reflected backward stochastic differential equation method and the variational inequality method. We first reduce such a Dynkin game to an optima
l stopping time problem with state constraint, and then in a Markovian setting, we investigate the optimal strategy by analyzing the properties of the corresponding free boundary, including its position, asymptotics, monotonicity and regularity. We identify situations when call precedes conversion, and vice versa. Moreover, we show that the irregular payoff results in the possibly non-monotonic conversion boundary. Surprisingly, the price of the convertible bond is not necessarily monotonic in time: it may even increase when time approaches maturity.
This paper considers exponential utility indifference pricing for a multidimensional non-traded assets model, and provides two linear approximations for the utility indifference price. The key tool is a probabilistic representation for the utility in
difference price by the solution of a functional differential equation, which is termed emph{pseudo linear pricing rule}. We also provide an alternative derivation of the quadratic BSDE representation for the utility indifference price.
This paper introduces a new class of optimal switching problems, where the player is allowed to switch at a sequence of exogenous Poisson arrival times, and the underlying switching system is governed by an infinite horizon backward stochastic differ
ential equation system. The value function and the optimal switching strategy are characterized by the solution of the underlying switching system. In a Markovian setting, the paper gives a complete description of the structure of switching regions by means of the comparison principle.
This paper shows that penalized backward stochastic differential equation (BSDE), which is often used to approximate and solve the corresponding reflected BSDE, admits both optimal stopping representation and optimal control representation. The new f
eature of the optimal stopping representation is that the player is allowed to stop at exogenous Poisson arrival times. The convergence rate of the penalized BSDE then follows from the optimal stopping representation. The paper then applies to two classes of equations, namely multidimensional reflected BSDE and reflected BSDE with a constraint on the hedging part, and gives stochastic control representations for their corresponding penalized equations.
We propose a unified structural credit risk model incorporating both insolvency and illiquidity risks, in order to investigate how a firms default probability depends on the liquidity risk associated with its financing structure. We assume the firm f
inances its risky assets by mainly issuing short- and long-term debt. Short-term debt can have either a discrete or a more realistic staggered tenor structure. At rollover dates of short-term debt, creditors face a dynamic coordination problem. We show that a unique threshold strategy (i.e., a debt run barrier) exists for short-term creditors to decide when to withdraw their funding, and this strategy is closely related to the solution of a non-standard optimal stopping time problem with control constraints. We decompose the total credit risk into an insolvency component and an illiquidity component based on such an endogenous debt run barrier together with an exogenous insolvency barrier.
This article introduces and solves a general class of fully coupled forward-backward stochastic dynamics by investigating the associated system of functional differential equations. As a consequence, we are able to solve many different types of forwa
rd-backward stochastic differential equations (FBSDEs) that do not fit in the classical setting. In our approach, the equations are running in the same time direction rather than in a forward and backward way, and the conflicting nature of the structure of FBSDEs is therefore avoided.
This paper considers exponential utility indifference pricing for a multidimensional non-traded assets model subject to inter-temporal default risk, and provides a semigroup approximation for the utility indifference price. The key tool is the splitt
ing method, whose convergence is proved based on the Barles-Souganidis monotone scheme, and the convergence rate is derived based on Krylovs shaking the coefficients technique. We apply our methodology to study the counterparty risk of derivatives in incomplete markets.
In Liang et al (2009), the current authors demonstrated that BSDEs can be reformulated as functional differential equations, and as an application, they solved BSDEs on general filtered probability spaces. In this paper the authors continue the study
of functional differential equations and demonstrate how such approach can be used to solve FBSDEs. By this approach the equations can be solved in one direction altogether rather than in a forward and backward way. The solutions of FBSDEs are then employed to construct the weak solutions to a class of BSDE systems (not necessarily scalar) with quadratic growth, by a nonlinear version of Girsanovs transformation. As the solving procedure is constructive, the authors not only obtain the existence and uniqueness theorem, but also really work out the solutions to such class of BSDE systems with quadratic growth. Finally an optimal portfolio problem in incomplete markets is solved based on the functional differential equation approach and the nonlinear Girsanovs transformation.
