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Alpha-robust mean-variance reinsurance-investment strategy

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  • Li, Bin
  • Li, Danping
  • Xiong, Dewen

Abstract

Inspired by the α-maxmin expected utility, we propose a new class of mean-variance criterion, called α-maxmin mean-variance criterion, and apply it to the reinsurance-investment problem. Our model allows the insurer to have different levels of ambiguity aversion (rather than only consider the extremely ambiguity-averse attitude as in the literature). The insurer can purchase proportional reinsurance and also invest the surplus in a financial market consisting of a risk-free asset and a risky asset, whose dynamics is correlated with the insurance surplus. Closed-form equilibrium reinsurance-investment strategy is derived by solving the extended Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman equation. Our results show that the equilibrium reinsurance strategy is always more conservative if the insurer is more ambiguity-averse. When the dependence between insurance and financial risks are weak, the equilibrium investment strategy is also more conservative if the insurer is more ambiguity-averse. However, in order to diversify the portfolio, a more ambiguity-averse insurer may adopt a more aggressive investment strategy if the insurance market is very ambiguous. For an ambiguity-neutral insurer, the investment strategy is identical to the non-robust investment strategy.

Suggested Citation

  • Li, Bin & Li, Danping & Xiong, Dewen, 2016. "Alpha-robust mean-variance reinsurance-investment strategy," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 101-123.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:dyncon:v:70:y:2016:i:c:p:101-123
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jedc.2016.07.001
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    Cited by:

    1. Guan, Guohui & Li, Bin, 2022. "Equilibrium investment and reinsurance strategies under smooth ambiguity with a general second-order distribution," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 143(C).
    2. Guohui Guan & Zongxia Liang & Yilun Song, 2022. "A Stackelberg reinsurance-investment game under $\alpha$-maxmin mean-variance criterion and stochastic volatility," Papers 2212.14327, arXiv.org.
    3. Zhang, Liming & Li, Bin, 2021. "Optimal reinsurance under the α-maxmin mean-variance criterion," Insurance: Mathematics and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 101(PB), pages 225-239.
    4. Cao, Jingyi & Landriault, David & Li, Bin, 2020. "Optimal reinsurance-investment strategy for a dynamic contagion claim model," Insurance: Mathematics and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 206-215.
    5. Christoph Bühren & Fabian Meier & Marco Pleßner, 2023. "Ambiguity aversion: bibliometric analysis and literature review of the last 60 years," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 73(2), pages 495-525, June.
    6. Chen, Lv & Shen, Yang & Su, Jianxi, 2020. "A continuous-time theory of reinsurance chains," Insurance: Mathematics and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 129-146.
    7. Cao, Jingyi & Li, Dongchen & Young, Virginia R. & Zou, Bin, 2022. "Stackelberg differential game for insurance under model ambiguity," Insurance: Mathematics and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 128-145.
    8. Yuchen Li & Zongxia Liang & Shunzhi Pang, 2022. "Continuous-Time Monotone Mean-Variance Portfolio Selection," Papers 2211.12168, arXiv.org, revised Jan 2024.
    9. Xue, Xiaole & Wei, Pengyu & Weng, Chengguo, 2019. "Derivatives trading for insurers," Insurance: Mathematics and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 40-53.
    10. Hu, Duni & Chen, Shou & Wang, Hailong, 2018. "Robust reinsurance contracts with uncertainty about jump risk," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 266(3), pages 1175-1188.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    α-Maxmin utility; Robust reinsurance-investment problem; Mean-variance criterion; Time-consistent equilibrium strategy; Lévy insurance model;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C61 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Mathematical Methods; Programming Models; Mathematical and Simulation Modeling - - - Optimization Techniques; Programming Models; Dynamic Analysis
    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions
    • G22 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Insurance; Insurance Companies; Actuarial Studies

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