Dual control Monte-Carlo method for tight bounds of value function in regime switching utility maximization

In this paper, we study the dual control approach for the optimal asset allocation problem in a continuous-time regime-switching market. We find the lower and upper bounds of the value function that is a solution to a system of fully coupled nonlinear partial differential equations. These bounds can be tightened with additional controls to the dual process. We suggest a Monte-Carlo algorithm for computing the tight lower and upper bounds and show the method is effective with a variety of utility functions, including power, non-HARA and Yaari utilities. The latter two utilities are beyond the scope of any current methods available in finding the value function. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.