On the Numerical Solution of Mertonian Control Problems: A Survey of the Markov Chain Approximation Method for the Working Economist

Simon Ellersgaard*

*Corresponding author for this work

Abstract

Analytic solutions to HJB equation in mathematical finance are relatively hard to come by, which stresses the need for numerical procedures. In this paper we provide a self-contained exposition of the finite-horizon Markov chain approximation method as championed by Kushner and Dupuis. Furthermore, we provide full details as to how well the algorithm fares when we deploy it in the context of Merton type optimisation problems. Assorted issues relating to implementation and numerical accuracy are thoroughly reviewed, including multidimensionality and the positive probability requirement, the question of boundary conditions, and the choice of parametric values.

Original languageEnglish
JournalComputational Economics
Volume54
Issue number3
Pages (from-to)1179-1211
Number of pages33
ISSN0927-7099
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2019

Keywords

  • Finite difference approximation
  • HJB equation
  • Merton problem

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'On the Numerical Solution of Mertonian Control Problems: A Survey of the Markov Chain Approximation Method for the Working Economist'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this