Optimal Dividends and Capital Injections in the Dual Model with Diffusion

Abstract:     
The dual model with diffusion is appropriate for companies with continuous expenses that are offset by stochastic and irregular gains. Examples include research-based or commission-based companies. In this context, Avanzi and Gerber (2008) showed how to determine the expected present value of dividends, if a barrier strategy is followed. In this paper, we further include capital injections and allow for (proportional) transactions costs both on dividends and capital injections.

We determine the optimal dividend and (unconstrained) capital injection strategy when jumps are hyperexponential. This strategy happens to be either a dividend barrier strategy without capital injections, or another dividend barrier strategy with forced injections when the surplus is null to prevent ruin. The latter is also shown to be the optimal dividend and capital injection strategy, if ruin is not allowed to occur. Both the choice to inject capital or not and the level of the optimal barrier depend on the parameters of the model.

In all cases, we determine the optimal dividend barrier and show its existence and uniqueness. We also provide closed form representations of the value functions when the optimal strategy is applied. These results can be used to approximate the optimal strategies' parameters and value functions when jumps follow an arbitrary distribution. Examples are provided.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 28

Keywords: dual model, diffusion, dividends, capital injections, HJB equation

JEL Classification: C44, C61, G24, G32, G35

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