IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/dyncon/v29y2005i8p1313-1329.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Necessity of the transversality condition for stochastic models with bounded or CRRA utility

Author

Listed:
  • Kamihigashi, Takashi

Abstract

This paper shows that the standard transversality condition (STVC) is necessary for optimality for stochastic models with bounded or constant-relative-risk-aversion (CRRA) utility under fairly general conditions. We consider an infinite-horizon stochastic maximization problem that takes a general form of multi-sector growth model with a single consumption good. We establish three results: (i) the STVC is necessary if utility is bounded; (ii) the STVC is necessary if utility is logarithmic; and (iii) the STVC is necessary in the case of non-logarithmic CRRA utility as long as lifetime utility is finite at the optimum. These results apply to various stochastic growth models, including real business cycle models with endogenous labor supply. Since unbounded utility functions that do not belong to the CRRA class are rather rare in applications, our results provide a fairly complete set of solutions regarding necessity of the STVC in practice.
(This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)

Suggested Citation

  • Kamihigashi, Takashi, 2005. "Necessity of the transversality condition for stochastic models with bounded or CRRA utility," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 29(8), pages 1313-1329, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:dyncon:v:29:y:2005:i:8:p:1313-1329
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165-1889(04)00094-6
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to look for a different version below or search for a different version of it.

    Other versions of this item:

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Zilcha, Itzhak, 1976. "Characterization by prices of optimal programs under uncertainty," Journal of Mathematical Economics, Elsevier, vol. 3(2), pages 173-183, July.
    2. K. Shell, 1968. "Applications of Pontryagin's Maximum Principle of Economics," Working papers 16, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Department of Economics.
    3. Robert J. Barro, 2013. "Inflation and Economic Growth," Annals of Economics and Finance, Society for AEF, vol. 14(1), pages 121-144, May.
    4. Martinez-Garcia, Maria Pilar, 2003. "The general instability of balanced paths in endogenous growth models: the role of transversality conditions," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 27(4), pages 599-618, February.
    5. Foldes, Lucien, 1978. "Martingale conditions for optimal saving: discrete time," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 3231, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    6. Skiba, A K, 1978. "Optimal Growth with a Convex-Concave Production Function," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 46(3), pages 527-539, May.
    7. Benveniste, L. M. & Scheinkman, J. A., 1982. "Duality theory for dynamic optimization models of economics: The continuous time case," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 27(1), pages 1-19, June.
    8. Michel, Philippe, 1990. "Some Clarifications on the Transversality Condition," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 58(3), pages 705-723, May.
    9. King, Robert G. & Rebelo, Sergio T., 1999. "Resuscitating real business cycles," Handbook of Macroeconomics, in: J. B. Taylor & M. Woodford (ed.), Handbook of Macroeconomics, edition 1, volume 1, chapter 14, pages 927-1007, Elsevier.
    10. Takashi Kamihigashi, 2002. "A simple proof of the necessity of the transversality condition," Economic Theory, Springer;Society for the Advancement of Economic Theory (SAET), vol. 20(2), pages 427-433.
    11. Kamihigashi, Takashi, 2003. "Necessity of transversality conditions for stochastic problems," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 109(1), pages 140-149, March.
    12. William A. Brock & Leonard J. Mirman, 2001. "Optimal Economic Growth And Uncertainty: The Discounted Case," Chapters, in: W. D. Dechert (ed.), Growth Theory, Nonlinear Dynamics and Economic Modelling, chapter 1, pages 3-37, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    13. Takashi Kamihigashi, 2000. "A simple proof of Ekeland and Scheinkman's result on the necessity of a transversality condition," Economic Theory, Springer;Society for the Advancement of Economic Theory (SAET), vol. 15(2), pages 463-468.
    14. W. A. Brock, 1970. "On Existence of Weakly Maximal Programmes in a Multi-Sector Economy," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 37(2), pages 275-280.
    15. Kamihigashi, Takashi, 2001. "Necessity of Transversality Conditions for Infinite Horizon Problems," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 69(4), pages 995-1012, July.
    16. Benhabib, Jess & Farmer, Roger E.A., 1999. "Indeterminacy and sunspots in macroeconomics," Handbook of Macroeconomics, in: J. B. Taylor & M. Woodford (ed.), Handbook of Macroeconomics, edition 1, volume 1, chapter 6, pages 387-448, Elsevier.
    17. Ivar Ekeland & José Alexandre Scheinkman, 1986. "Transversality Conditions for Some Infinite Horizon Discrete Time Optimization Problems," Mathematics of Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 11(2), pages 216-229, May.
    18. Halkin, Hubert, 1974. "Necessary Conditions for Optimal Control Problems with Infinite Horizons," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 42(2), pages 267-272, March.
    19. Alvarez, Fernando & Stokey, Nancy L., 1998. "Dynamic Programming with Homogeneous Functions," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 82(1), pages 167-189, September.
    20. HALKIN, Hubert, 1974. "Necessary conditions for optimal control problems with infinite horizons," LIDAM Reprints CORE 193, Université catholique de Louvain, Center for Operations Research and Econometrics (CORE).
    21. Takekuma, Shin-Ichi, 1992. "Optimal Growth under Uncertainty: A Complete Characterization of Weakly Maximal Programs, 不確実性下の最適成長：弱極大計画の完全特徴付け," Hitotsubashi Journal of Economics, Hitotsubashi University, vol. 33(2), pages 169-182, December.
    22. Martin L. Weitzman, 1973. "Duality Theory for Infinite Horizon Convex Models," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 19(7), pages 783-789, March.
    23. Foldes, Lucien, 1978. "Martingale conditions for optimal saving-discrete time," Journal of Mathematical Economics, Elsevier, vol. 5(1), pages 83-96, March.
    24. Olson, Lars J., 1989. "Stochastic growth with irreversible investment," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 47(1), pages 101-129, February.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Takashi Kamihigashi, 2015. "Multiple interior steady states in the Ramsey model with elastic labor supply," International Journal of Economic Theory, The International Society for Economic Theory, vol. 11(1), pages 25-37, March.
    2. Karim Azizi & Nicolas Canry & Jean-Bernard Chatelain & Bruno Tinel, 2013. "Government Solvency, Austerity and Fiscal Consolidation in the OECD: A Keynesian Appraisal of Transversality and No Ponzi Game Conditions," Working Papers hal-00818474, HAL.
    3. Takashi Kamihigashi, 2015. "A Simple No-Bubble Theorem for Deterministic Sequential Economies," Discussion Paper Series DP2015-38, Research Institute for Economics & Business Administration, Kobe University.
    4. Takashi Kamihigashi, 2006. "Transversality Conditions and Dynamic Economic Behavior," Discussion Paper Series 180, Research Institute for Economics & Business Administration, Kobe University.
    5. Jean-Bernard Chatelain & Kirsten Ralf, 2012. "The Failure Of Financial Macroeconomics And What To Do About It," Manchester School, University of Manchester, vol. 80, pages 21-53, September.
    6. Takashi Kamihigashi, 2016. "A Simple Optimality-Based No-Bubble Theorem for Deterministic Sequential Economies," Discussion Paper Series DP2016-22, Research Institute for Economics & Business Administration, Kobe University.
    7. Takashi Kamihigashi, 2017. "Regime-Switching Sunspot Equilibria in a One-Sector Growth Model with Aggregate Decreasing Returns and Small Externalities," Studies in Economic Theory, in: Kazuo Nishimura & Alain Venditti & Nicholas C. Yannelis (ed.), Sunspots and Non-Linear Dynamics, chapter 0, pages 125-146, Springer.
    8. Gourieroux, C. & Jasiak, J. & Monfort, A., 2020. "Stationary bubble equilibria in rational expectation models," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 218(2), pages 714-735.
    9. Takashi Kamihigashi, 2016. "A Generalization of Fatou's Lemma for Extended Real-Valued Functions on σ-Finite Measure Spaces: With an Application to Infinite-Horizon Optimization in Discrete Time," Discussion Paper Series DP2016-37, Research Institute for Economics & Business Administration, Kobe University, revised Jan 2017.
    10. Adam, Klaus & Merkel, Sebastian, 2019. "Stock price cycles and business cycles," Working Paper Series 2316, European Central Bank.
    11. Tapan Mitra & Santanu Roy, 2022. "Propensity to consume and the optimality of Ramsey–Euler policies," Economic Theory, Springer;Society for the Advancement of Economic Theory (SAET), vol. 73(1), pages 55-89, February.
    12. Takashi Kamihigashi, 2015. "A Simple No-Bubble Theorem for Deterministic Dynamic Economies," Discussion Paper Series DP2015-24, Research Institute for Economics & Business Administration, Kobe University.
    13. Travis D. Nesmith, 2005. "Solving stochastic money-in-the-utility-function models," Finance and Economics Discussion Series 2005-52, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (U.S.).
    14. Fu, Wentao & Le Riche, Antoine, 2021. "Endogenous growth model with Bayesian learning and technology selection," Mathematical Social Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 58-71.
    15. Jean-Bernard Chatelain & Bruno Tinel & Karim Azizi & Nicolas Canry, 2012. "Are the No-Ponzi Game and the Transversality Conditions Relevant for Public Debt? A Keynesian Appraisal," Université Paris1 Panthéon-Sorbonne (Post-Print and Working Papers) hal-00686788, HAL.
    16. Vasilev, Aleksandar, 2015. "The welfare effect of at income tax reform: the case of Bulgaria. Technical Appendix," EconStor Research Reports 124168, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics.
    17. Takashi Kamihigashi, 2015. "A Simple No-Bubble Theorem," Discussion Paper Series DP2015-03, Research Institute for Economics & Business Administration, Kobe University.
    18. Kamihigashi, Takashi, 2018. "A Simple optimality-based no-bubble theorem for deterministic sequential economies with strictly monotone preferences," Mathematical Social Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 36-41.
    19. Mitra, Tapan & Roy, Santanu, 2017. "Optimality of Ramsey–Euler policy in the stochastic growth model," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 172(C), pages 1-25.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Kamihigashi, Takashi, 2003. "Necessity of transversality conditions for stochastic problems," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 109(1), pages 140-149, March.
    2. Ravi Kashyap, 2016. "Solving the Equity Risk Premium Puzzle and Inching Towards a Theory of Everything," Papers 1604.04872, arXiv.org, revised Sep 2019.
    3. Takashi Kamihigashi, 2003. "Necessity of the Transversality Condition for Stochastic Models with CRRA Utility," Discussion Paper Series 137, Research Institute for Economics & Business Administration, Kobe University.
    4. Mitra, Tapan & Roy, Santanu, 2017. "Optimality of Ramsey–Euler policy in the stochastic growth model," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 172(C), pages 1-25.
    5. Buiter, Willem H. & Sibert, Anne C., 2007. "Deflationary Bubbles," Macroeconomic Dynamics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 11(4), pages 431-454, September.
    6. Tapan Mitra & Santanu Roy, 2022. "Propensity to consume and the optimality of Ramsey–Euler policies," Economic Theory, Springer;Society for the Advancement of Economic Theory (SAET), vol. 73(1), pages 55-89, February.
    7. Montrucchio, Luigi & Privileggi, Fabio, 2001. "On Fragility of Bubbles in Equilibrium Asset Pricing Models of Lucas-Type," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 101(1), pages 158-188, November.
    8. Takashi Kamihigashi, 2002. "A simple proof of the necessity of the transversality condition," Economic Theory, Springer;Society for the Advancement of Economic Theory (SAET), vol. 20(2), pages 427-433.
    9. Dapeng Cai & Takashi Gyoshin Nitta, 2012. "Transversality Conditions for Stochastic Higher-Order Optimality: Continuous and Discrete Time Problems," Papers 1203.3869, arXiv.org.
    10. Takashi Kamihigashi, 2017. "Regime-Switching Sunspot Equilibria in a One-Sector Growth Model with Aggregate Decreasing Returns and Small Externalities," Studies in Economic Theory, in: Kazuo Nishimura & Alain Venditti & Nicholas C. Yannelis (ed.), Sunspots and Non-Linear Dynamics, chapter 0, pages 125-146, Springer.
    11. Willem H. Buiter, 2003. "Helicopter Money: Irredeemable Fiat Money and the Liquidity Trap," NBER Working Papers 10163, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    12. Takashi Kamihigashi, 2006. "Transversality Conditions and Dynamic Economic Behavior," Discussion Paper Series 180, Research Institute for Economics & Business Administration, Kobe University.
    13. David N. DeJong & Emilio Espino, 2007. "The Cyclical Behavior of Equity Turnover," Working Paper 294, Department of Economics, University of Pittsburgh, revised Jun 2010.
    14. Feichtinger, Gustav & Grass, Dieter & Kort, Peter M. & Seidl, Andrea, 2021. "On the Matthew effect in research careers," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 123(C).
    15. Takashi Kamihigashi, 2015. "A Simple No-Bubble Theorem for Deterministic Dynamic Economies," Discussion Paper Series DP2015-24, Research Institute for Economics & Business Administration, Kobe University.
    16. repec:dau:papers:123456789/3682 is not listed on IDEAS
    17. Grüne, Lars & Semmler, Willi & Stieler, Marleen, 2015. "Using nonlinear model predictive control for dynamic decision problems in economics," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 112-133.
    18. Takashi Kamihigashi, 2015. "A Simple No-Bubble Theorem for Deterministic Sequential Economies," Discussion Paper Series DP2015-38, Research Institute for Economics & Business Administration, Kobe University.
    19. Robert S. Chirinko & Daniel J. Wilson, 2023. "Fiscal Foresight and Perverse Distortions to Firm Behavior: Anticipatory Dips and Compensating Rebounds," Working Paper Series 2021-15, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco.
    20. Cuong Van & Raouf Boucekkine & Cagri Saglam, 2007. "Optimal Control in Infinite Horizon Problems: A Sobolev Space Approach," Economic Theory, Springer;Society for the Advancement of Economic Theory (SAET), vol. 32(3), pages 497-509, September.
    21. Kamihigashi, Takashi & Roy, Santanu, 2007. "A nonsmooth, nonconvex model of optimal growth," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 132(1), pages 435-460, January.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • C61 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Mathematical Methods; Programming Models; Mathematical and Simulation Modeling - - - Optimization Techniques; Programming Models; Dynamic Analysis
    • D90 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - General
    • G12 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Asset Pricing; Trading Volume; Bond Interest Rates

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:dyncon:v:29:y:2005:i:8:p:1313-1329. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/jedc .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.