Optimal Stopping under Ambiguity

Frank Riedel

No 390, Center for Mathematical Economics Working Papers from Center for Mathematical Economics, Bielefeld University

Abstract: We consider optimal stopping problems for ambiguity averse decision makers with multiple priors. In general, backward induction fails. If, however, the class of priors is time-consistent, we establish a generalization of the classical theory of optimal stopping. To this end, we develop first steps of a martingale theory for multiple priors. We define minimax (super)martingales, provide a Doob-Meyer decomposition, and characterize minimax martingales. This allows us to extend the standard backward induction procedure to ambiguous, time-consistent preferences. The value function is the smallest process that is a minimax supermartingale and dominates the payoff process. It is optimal to stop when the current payoff is equal to the value function. Moving on, we study the infinite horizon case. We show that the value process satisfies the same backward recursion (Bellman equation) as in the finite horizon case. The finite horizon solutions converge to the infinite horizon solution. Finally, we characterize completely the set of time-consistent multiple priors in the binomial tree. We solve two classes of examples: the so-called independent and indistinguishable case (the parking problem) and the case of American Options (Cox-Ross-Rubinstein model).

Keywords: Optimal stopping; Uncertainty aversion; Ambiguity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2010-12-14
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-bec and nep-upt
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:bie:wpaper:390

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