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A renewal theory approach to two-state switching problems with infinite values

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 May 2020

Erik Ekström*
Affiliation:
Uppsala University
Marcus Olofsson*
Affiliation:
Uppsala University
Martin Vannestål*
Affiliation:
Uppsala University
*
*Postal address: Uppsala University, Box 480, 75106 Uppsala, Sweden. Email address: ekstrom@math.uu.se
*Postal address: Uppsala University, Box 480, 75106 Uppsala, Sweden. Email address: ekstrom@math.uu.se
**Since the completion of a first draft of the current paper, our coauthor Martin Vannestål tragically passed away. In sorrow, we dedicate this work to his memory.

Abstract

We study a renewal theory approach to perpetual two-state switching problems with infinite value functions. Since the corresponding value functions are infinite, the problems fall outside the standard class of problems which can be analyzed using dynamic programming. Instead, we propose an alternative formulation of optimal switching theory in which optimality of a strategy is defined in terms of its long-term mean return, which can be determined using renewal theory. The approach is illustrated by examples in connection with trend-following strategies in finance.

Type
Research Papers
Copyright
© Applied Probability Trust 2020

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