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J. Michael Harrison

Bio: J. Michael Harrison is an academic researcher from Stanford University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Queueing theory & Heavy traffic approximation. The author has an hindex of 45, co-authored 86 publications receiving 15644 citations. Previous affiliations of J. Michael Harrison include University of Florida & University of Bristol.


Papers
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a general stochastic model of a frictionless security market with continuous trading is developed, where the vector price process is given by a semimartingale of a certain class, and the general Stochastic integral is used to represent capital gains.

2,851 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors consider a common stock that pays dividends at a discrete sequence of future times: t = 1,2, taking all other prices and the random process that determines future dividends as exogenously given, they can ask what will be the price ofthe stock?
Abstract: Consider a common stock that pays dividends at a discrete sequence of future times: t = 1,2, Taking all other prices and the random process that determines future dividends as exogenously given, we can ask what will be the price ofthe stock? In a world with a complete set of contingency claims markets, in which every investor can buy and sell without restriction, the answer is given by arbitrage. Let dtixt) denote the dividend that will be paid at time t if contingency Xj prevails, and let Ptixt) denote the current {t = 0) price ofa one dollar claim payable at time t if contingency Xt prevails. Then the current stock price must be 2(2;t,i3t(x«)dt(xf). Furthermore, in such a world it makes no difference whether markets reopen after initial trading. If markets were to reopen, investors would be content to maintain the positions they obtained initially (cf. Arrow, 1968). The situation becomes more complicated if markets are imperfect or incomplete or both. Ownership ofthe stock implies not only ownership of a dividend stream but also the right to sell that dividend stream at a future date. Investors may be unable initially to achieve positions with which they will be forever content, and thus the current stock price may be affected by whether or not markets will reopen in the future. If they do reopen, a speculative phenomenon may appear. An investor may buy the stock now so as to sell it later for more than he thinks it is actually worth, thereby reaping capital gains. This possibility of speculative profits will then be reflected in the current price. Keynes (1931, Ch. 12) attributes primary importance to this phenomenon (and goes on to suggest that it might be better if markets never reopened).

1,499 citations

Book
01 Jan 1985
TL;DR: Brownian Motion as discussed by the authors : Brownian Motion is a model of buffered flow, and it can be used to control flow system performance, as shown in Fig. 1 : Optimal Control of Brownain Motion.
Abstract: Brownian Motion. Stochastic Models of Buffered Flow. Further Analysis of Brownian Motion. Stochastic Calculus. Regulated Brownian Motion. Optimal Control of Brownain Motion. Optimizing Flow System Performance. Appendixes. Index.

1,368 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, it was shown that the model is complete if and only if there exists a unique martingale measure, i.e., the model can be represented as a stochastic integral with respect to the discounted price process.

473 citations


Cited by
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a simple discrete-time model for valuing options is presented, which is based on the Black-Scholes model, which has previously been derived only by much more difficult methods.

5,864 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Convergence of Probability Measures as mentioned in this paper is a well-known convergence of probability measures. But it does not consider the relationship between probability measures and the probability distribution of probabilities.
Abstract: Convergence of Probability Measures. By P. Billingsley. Chichester, Sussex, Wiley, 1968. xii, 253 p. 9 1/4“. 117s.

5,689 citations

Book
18 Dec 1992
TL;DR: In this paper, an introduction to optimal stochastic control for continuous time Markov processes and to the theory of viscosity solutions is given, as well as a concise introduction to two-controller, zero-sum differential games.
Abstract: This book is intended as an introduction to optimal stochastic control for continuous time Markov processes and to the theory of viscosity solutions. The authors approach stochastic control problems by the method of dynamic programming. The text provides an introduction to dynamic programming for deterministic optimal control problems, as well as to the corresponding theory of viscosity solutions. A new Chapter X gives an introduction to the role of stochastic optimal control in portfolio optimization and in pricing derivatives in incomplete markets. Chapter VI of the First Edition has been completely rewritten, to emphasize the relationships between logarithmic transformations and risk sensitivity. A new Chapter XI gives a concise introduction to two-controller, zero-sum differential games. Also covered are controlled Markov diffusions and viscosity solutions of Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equations. The authors have tried, through illustrative examples and selective material, to connect stochastic control theory with other mathematical areas (e.g. large deviations theory) and with applications to engineering, physics, management, and finance. In this Second Edition, new material on applications to mathematical finance has been added. Concise introductions to risk-sensitive control theory, nonlinear H-infinity control and differential games are also included.

3,885 citations

Book ChapterDOI
01 Jan 2011
TL;DR: Weakconvergence methods in metric spaces were studied in this article, with applications sufficient to show their power and utility, and the results of the first three chapters are used in Chapter 4 to derive a variety of limit theorems for dependent sequences of random variables.
Abstract: The author's preface gives an outline: "This book is about weakconvergence methods in metric spaces, with applications sufficient to show their power and utility. The Introduction motivates the definitions and indicates how the theory will yield solutions to problems arising outside it. Chapter 1 sets out the basic general theorems, which are then specialized in Chapter 2 to the space C[0, l ] of continuous functions on the unit interval and in Chapter 3 to the space D [0, 1 ] of functions with discontinuities of the first kind. The results of the first three chapters are used in Chapter 4 to derive a variety of limit theorems for dependent sequences of random variables. " The book develops and expands on Donsker's 1951 and 1952 papers on the invariance principle and empirical distributions. The basic random variables remain real-valued although, of course, measures on C[0, l ] and D[0, l ] are vitally used. Within this framework, there are various possibilities for a different and apparently better treatment of the material. More of the general theory of weak convergence of probabilities on separable metric spaces would be useful. Metrizability of the convergence is not brought up until late in the Appendix. The close relation of the Prokhorov metric and a metric for convergence in probability is (hence) not mentioned (see V. Strassen, Ann. Math. Statist. 36 (1965), 423-439; the reviewer, ibid. 39 (1968), 1563-1572). This relation would illuminate and organize such results as Theorems 4.1, 4.2 and 4.4 which give isolated, ad hoc connections between weak convergence of measures and nearness in probability. In the middle of p. 16, it should be noted that C*(S) consists of signed measures which need only be finitely additive if 5 is not compact. On p. 239, where the author twice speaks of separable subsets having nonmeasurable cardinal, he means "discrete" rather than "separable." Theorem 1.4 is Ulam's theorem that a Borel probability on a complete separable metric space is tight. Theorem 1 of Appendix 3 weakens completeness to topological completeness. After mentioning that probabilities on the rationals are tight, the author says it is an

3,554 citations