A fundamental alternative for stochastic optimization problems named focus programming is proposed based on the focus theory of choice. Different from the existing approaches such as chance-constrained programming and two-stage stochastic programming which are based on expected utility theory,...

We combine a dynamic programming approach (stochastic optimal control) with a multi-stage stochastic programming approach (MSP) in order to solve various problems in personal finance and pensions. Stochastic optimal control produces an optimal policy that is easy to understand and implement....

Generalising the idea of the classical EM algorithm that is widely used for computing maximum likelihood estimates, we propose an EM-Control (EM-C) algorithm for solving multi-period finite time horizon stochastic control problems. The new algorithm sequentially updates the control policies in...

The expected present value of dividends is one of the classical stability criteria in actuarial risk theory. In this context, numerous papers considered threshold (refractive) and barrier (reflective) dividend strategies. These were shown to be optimal in a number of different contexts for...

This paper considers the problem of European option pricing in the presence of proportional transaction costs when the price of the underlying follows a jump diffusion process. Using an approach that is based on maximization of the expected utility of terminal wealth, we transform the option...

This paper investigates the optimal asset-liability management problems for two managers subject to relative performance concerns in the presence of stochastic inflation and stochastic volatility. The objective of the two managers is to maximize the expected utility of their relative terminal...

We develop and implement methods for determining whether relaxing sparsity constraints on portfolios improves the investment opportunity set for risk-averse investors. We formulate a new estimation procedure for sparse second-order stochastic spanning based on a greedy algorithm and Linear...

We consider the general class of spectrally positive Lévy risk processes, which are appropriate for businesses with continuous expenses and lump sum gains whose timing and sizes are stochastic. Motivated by the fact that dividends are paid periodically in real life, we study periodic dividend...

This paper is composed of two related parts. In the first, we present a dynamic programming procedure for finding optimal policies for a class of sequential search problems that includes the well-known secretary problem. In the second, we propose a stochastic model of choice behavior for this...

Modern Algorithmic Trading ("Algo") allows institutional investors and traders to liquidate or establish big security positions in a fully automated or low-touch manner. Most existing academic or industrial Algos focus on how to "slice" a big parent order into smaller child orders over a given...