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Strong and Weak Equilibria for Time-Inconsistent Stochastic Control in Continuous Time

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  • Yu-Jui Huang
  • Zhou Zhou

Abstract

A new definition of continuous-time equilibrium controls is introduced. As opposed to the standard definition, which involves a derivative-type operation, the new definition parallels how a discrete-time equilibrium is defined, and allows for unambiguous economic interpretation. The terms "strong equilibria" and "weak equilibria" are coined for controls under the new and the standard definitions, respectively. When the state process is a time-homogeneous continuous-time Markov chain, a careful asymptotic analysis gives complete characterizations of weak and strong equilibria. Thanks to Kakutani-Fan's fixed-point theorem, general existence of weak and strong equilibria is also established, under additional compactness assumption. Our theoretic results are applied to a two-state model under non-exponential discounting. In particular, we demonstrate explicitly that there can be incentive to deviate from a weak equilibrium, which justifies the need for strong equilibria. Our analysis also provides new results for the existence and characterization of discrete-time equilibria under infinite horizon.

Suggested Citation

  • Yu-Jui Huang & Zhou Zhou, 2018. "Strong and Weak Equilibria for Time-Inconsistent Stochastic Control in Continuous Time," Papers 1809.09243, arXiv.org, revised Aug 2019.
    • Handle: RePEc:arx:papers:1809.09243
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yu‐Jui Huang & Adrien Nguyen‐Huu & Xun Yu Zhou, 2020. "General stopping behaviors of naïve and noncommitted sophisticated agents, with application to probability distortion," Mathematical Finance, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(1), pages 310-340, January.
    2. Ying Hu & Hanqing Jin & Xun Yu Zhou, 2012. "Time-Inconsistent Stochastic Linear--Quadratic Control," Post-Print hal-00691816, HAL.
    3. R. H. Strotz, 1955. "Myopia and Inconsistency in Dynamic Utility Maximization," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 23(3), pages 165-180.
    4. Yu-Jui Huang & Adrien Nguyen-Huu, 2018. "Time-consistent stopping under decreasing impatience," Finance and Stochastics, Springer, vol. 22(1), pages 69-95, January.
    5. repec:dau:papers:123456789/11473 is not listed on IDEAS
    6. Tomas Björk & Mariana Khapko & Agatha Murgoci, 2017. "On time-inconsistent stochastic control in continuous time," Finance and Stochastics, Springer, vol. 21(2), pages 331-360, April.
    7. Tomas Björk & Agatha Murgoci & Xun Yu Zhou, 2014. "Mean–Variance Portfolio Optimization With State-Dependent Risk Aversion," Mathematical Finance, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 24(1), pages 1-24, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ying Hu & Hanqing Jin & Xun Yu Zhou, 2021. "Consistent investment of sophisticated rank‐dependent utility agents in continuous time," Mathematical Finance, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(3), pages 1056-1095, July.
    2. Xue Dong He & Xun Yu Zhou, 2021. "Who Are I: Time Inconsistency and Intrapersonal Conflict and Reconciliation," Papers 2105.01829, arXiv.org.
    3. Marcel Nutz & Yuchong Zhang, 2019. "Conditional Optimal Stopping: A Time-Inconsistent Optimization," Papers 1901.05802, arXiv.org, revised Oct 2019.
    4. Yu-Jui Huang & Zhenhua Wang, 2020. "Optimal Equilibria for Multi-dimensional Time-inconsistent Stopping Problems," Papers 2006.00754, arXiv.org, revised Jan 2021.

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