Dynamic convex duality in constrained utility maximization

ABSTRACT

In this paper, we study a constrained utility maximization problem following the convex duality approach. After formulating the primal and dual problems, we construct the necessary and sufficient conditions for both the primal and dual problems in terms of forward and backward stochastic differential equations (FBSDEs) plus some additional conditions. Such formulation then allows us to explicitly characterize the primal optimal control as a function of the adjoint process coming from the dual FBSDEs in a dynamic fashion and vice versa. We also find that the optimal wealth process coincides with the adjoint process of the dual problem and vice versa. Finally we solve three constrained utility maximization problems, which contrasts the simplicity of the duality approach we propose and the technical complexity of solving the primal problem directly.     

An Inexact Modified Subgradient Algorithm for Primal-Dual Problems via Augmented Lagrangians

We consider a primal optimization problem in a reflexive Banach space and a duality scheme via generalized augmented Lagrangians. For solving the dual problem (in a Hilbert space), we introduce and analyze a new parameterized Inexact Modified Subgradient (IMSg) algorithm. The IMSg generates a primal-dual sequence, and we focus on two simple new choices of the stepsize. We prove that every weak accumulation point of the primal sequence is a primal solution and the dual sequence converges weakly to a dual solution, as long as the dual optimal set is nonempty. Moreover, we establish primal convergence even when the dual optimal set is empty. Our second choice of the stepsize gives rise to a variant of IMSg which has finite termination.     

Ergodic,primal convergence in dual subgradient schemes for convex programming,II: the case of inconsistent primal problems

Consider the utilization of a Lagrangian dual method which is convergent for consistent convex optimization problems. When it is used to solve an infeasible optimization problem, its inconsistency will then manifest itself through the divergence of the sequence of dual iterates. Will then the sequence of primal subproblem solutions still yield relevant information regarding the primal program? We answer this question in the affirmative for a convex program and an associated subgradient algorithm for its Lagrange dual. We show that the primal–dual pair of programs corresponding to an associated homogeneous dual function is in turn associated with a saddle-point problem, in which—in the inconsistent case—the primal part amounts to finding a solution in the primal space such that the Euclidean norm of the infeasibility in the relaxed constraints is minimized; the dual part amounts to identifying a feasible steepest ascent direction for the Lagrangian dual function. We present convergence results for a conditional \(\varepsilon \)-subgradient optimization algorithm applied to the Lagrangian dual problem, and the construction of an ergodic sequence of primal subproblem solutions; this composite algorithm yields convergence of the primal–dual sequence to the set of saddle-points of the associated homogeneous Lagrangian function; for linear programs, convergence to the subset in which the primal objective is at minimum is also achieved.     

Backward stochastic partial differential equations related to utility maximization and hedging

We study the utility maximization problem, the problem of minimization of the hedging error and the corresponding dual problems using dynamic programming approach. We consider an incomplete financial market model, where the dynamics of asset prices are described by an ℝ^d-valued continuous semimartingale. Under some regularity assumptions, we derive the backward stochastic PDEs for the value functions related to these problems, and for the primal problem, we show that the strategy is optimal if and only if the corresponding wealth process satisfies a certain forward SDE. As examples we consider the mean-variance hedging problem and the cases of power, exponential, logarithmic utilities, and corresponding dual problems. __________ Translated from Sovremennaya Matematika i Ee Prilozheniya (Contemporary Mathematics and Its Applications), Vol. 45, Martingale Theory and Its Application, 2007.     

Goal-oriented r-adaptivity based on the evaluation of the physical and material residual

This contribution is concerned with goal–oriented r-adaptivity based on energy minimization principles for the primal and the dual problem. We obtain a material residual of the primal and of the dual problem, which are indicators for non–optimal finite element meshes. For goal–oriented r-adaptivity we have to optimize the mesh with respect to the dual solution, because the error of a local quantity of interest depends on the error in the corresponding dual solution. We use the material residual of the primal and dual problem in order to obtain a procedure for mesh optimization with respect to a local quantity of interest. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Robust least square semidefinite programming with applications

In this paper, we consider a least square semidefinite programming problem under ellipsoidal data uncertainty. We show that the robustification of this uncertain problem can be reformulated as a semidefinite linear programming problem with an additional second-order cone constraint. We then provide an explicit quantitative sensitivity analysis on how the solution under the robustification depends on the size/shape of the ellipsoidal data uncertainty set. Next, we prove that, under suitable constraint qualifications, the reformulation has zero duality gap with its dual problem, even when the primal problem itself is infeasible. The dual problem is equivalent to minimizing a smooth objective function over the Cartesian product of second-order cones and the Euclidean space, which is easy to project onto. Thus, we propose a simple variant of the spectral projected gradient method (Birgin et al. in SIAM J. Optim. 10:1196–1211, 2000) to solve the dual problem. While it is well-known that any accumulation point of the sequence generated from the algorithm is a dual optimal solution, we show in addition that the dual objective value along the sequence generated converges to a finite value if and only if the primal problem is feasible, again under suitable constraint qualifications. This latter fact leads to a simple certificate for primal infeasibility in situations when the primal feasible set lies in a known compact set. As an application, we consider robust correlation stress testing where data uncertainty arises due to untimely recording of portfolio holdings. In our computational experiments on this particular application, our algorithm performs reasonably well on medium-sized problems for real data when finding the optimal solution (if exists) or identifying primal infeasibility, and usually outperforms the standard interior-point solver SDPT3 in terms of CPU time.     

Optimization architecture for joint multi-path routing and scheduling in wireless mesh networks

In Wireless Mesh Networks (WMN), the optimal routing of data depends on the link capacities which are determined by link scheduling. The optimal performance of the network, therefore, can only be achieved by joint routing and scheduling optimization. Although the joint single-path routing and scheduling optimization problem has been extensively studied, its multi-path counterpart within wireless mesh networks has not yet been fully investigated. In this paper, we present an optimization architecture for joint multi-path QoS routing and the underlying wireless link scheduling in wireless mesh networks. By employing the contention matrix to represent the wireless link interference, we formulate a utility maximization problem for the joint multi-path routing and MAC scheduling and resolve it using the primal–dual method. Since the multi-path routing usually results in the non-strict concavity of the primal objective function, we first introduce the Proximal Optimization Algorithm to get around such difficulty. We then propose an algorithm to solve the routing subproblem and the scheduling subproblem via the dual decomposition. Simulations demonstrate the efficiency and correctness of our algorithm.     

Minimax linear programming problem

In this paper, we consider the following minimax linear programming problem: min z = max_{1 ≤ j ≤ n}{C_jX_j}, subject to Ax = g, x ≥ 0. It is well known that this problem can be transformed into a linear program by introducing n additional constraints. We note that these additional constraints can be considered implicitly by treating them as parametric upper bounds. Based on this approach we develop two algorithms: a parametric algorithm and a primal—dual algorithm. The parametric algorithm solves a linear programming problem with parametric upper bounds and the primal—dual algorithm solves a sequence of related dual feasible linear programming problems. Computation results are also presented, which indicate that both the algorithms are substantially faster than the simplex algorithm applied to the enlarged linear programming problem.     

An analysis of some dual problems in multiobjective optimization (I)

In this work we study the duality for a general multiobjective optimization problem. Considering, first, a scalar problem, different duals using the conjugacy approach are presented. Starting from these scalar duals, we introduce six different multiobjective dual problems to the primal one, one depending on certain vector parameters. The existence of weak and, under certain conditions, strong duality between the primal and the dual problems is shown. Afterwards, some inclusion results for the image sets of the multiobjective dual problems (D ₁), (D _α) and (D_FL ) are derived. Moreover, we verify that the efficiency sets within the image sets of these problems coincide, but the image sets themselves do not.     

Approximating the nondominated set of an MOLP by approximately solving its dual problem

The geometric duality theory of Heyde and Löhne (2006) defines a dual to a multiple objective linear programme (MOLP). In objective space, the primal problem can be solved by Benson’s outer approximation method (Benson 1998a,b) while the dual problem can be solved by a dual variant of Benson’s algorithm (Ehrgott et al. 2007). Duality theory then assures that it is possible to find the (weakly) nondominated set of the primal MOLP by solving its dual. In this paper, we propose an algorithm to solve the dual MOLP approximately but within specified tolerance. This approximate solution set can be used to calculate an approximation of the weakly nondominated set of the primal. We show that this set is a weakly ε-nondominated set of the original primal MOLP and provide numerical evidence that this approach can be faster than solving the primal MOLP approximately.     

Primal and dual alternating direction algorithms for ℓ 1-ℓ 1-norm minimization problems in compressive sensing

In this paper, we propose, analyze and test primal and dual versions of the alternating direction algorithm for the sparse signal reconstruction from its major noise contained observation data. The algorithm minimizes a convex non-smooth function consisting of the sum of ? ₁-norm regularization term and ? ₁-norm data fidelity term. We minimize the corresponding augmented Lagrangian function alternatively from either primal or dual forms. Both of the resulting subproblems admit explicit solutions either by using a one-dimensional shrinkage or by an efficient Euclidean projection. The algorithm is easily implementable and it requires only two matrix-vector multiplications per-iteration. The global convergence of the proposed algorithm is established under some technical conditions. The extensions to the non-negative signal recovery problem and the weighted regularization minimization problem are also discussed and tested. Numerical results illustrate that the proposed algorithm performs better than the state-of-the-art algorithm YALL1.     

Convergent Lagrangian heuristics for nonlinear minimum cost network flows

We consider the separable nonlinear and strictly convex single-commodity network flow problem (SSCNFP). We develop a computational scheme for generating a primal feasible solution from any Lagrangian dual vector; this is referred to as “early primal recovery”. It is motivated by the desire to obtain a primal feasible vector before convergence of a Lagrangian scheme; such a vector is not available from a Lagrangian dual vector unless it is optimal. The scheme is constructed such that if we apply it from a sequence of Lagrangian dual vectors that converge to an optimal one, then the resulting primal (feasible) vectors converge to the unique optimal primal flow vector. It is therefore also a convergent Lagrangian heuristic, akin to those primarily devised within the field of combinatorial optimization but with the contrasting and striking advantage that it is guaranteed to yield a primal optimal solution in the limit. Thereby we also gain access to a new stopping criterion for any Lagrangian dual algorithm for the problem, which is of interest in particular if the SSCNFP arises as a subproblem in a more complex model. We construct instances of convergent Lagrangian heuristics that are based on graph searches within the residual graph, and therefore are efficiently implementable; in particular we consider two shortest path based heuristics that are based on the optimality conditions of the original problem. Numerical experiments report on the relative efficiency and accuracy of the various schemes.     

Strictly feasible solutions and strict complementarity in multiple objective linear optimization

Recently, Luc defined a dual program for a multiple objective linear program. The dual problem is also a multiple objective linear problem and the weak duality and strong duality theorems for these primal and dual problems have been established. Here, we use these results to prove some relationships between multiple objective linear primal and dual problems. We extend the available results on single objective linear primal and dual problems to multiple objective linear primal and dual problems. Complementary slackness conditions for efficient solutions, and conditions for the existence of weakly efficient solution sets and existence of strictly primal and dual feasible points are established. We show that primal-dual (weakly) efficient solutions satisfying strictly complementary conditions exist. Furthermore, we consider Isermann’s and Kolumban’s dual problems and establish conditions for the existence of strictly primal and dual feasible points. We show the existence of primal-dual feasible points satisfying strictly complementary conditions for Isermann’s dual problem. Also, we give an alternative proof to establish necessary conditions for weakly efficient solutions of multiple objective programs, assuming the Kuhn–Tucker (KT) constraint qualification. We also provide a new condition to ensure the KT constraint qualification.     

A primal dual modified subgradient algorithm with sharp Lagrangian

We apply a modified subgradient algorithm (MSG) for solving the dual of a nonlinear and nonconvex optimization problem. The dual scheme we consider uses the sharp augmented Lagrangian. A desirable feature of this method is primal convergence, which means that every accumulation point of a primal sequence (which is automatically generated during the process), is a primal solution. This feature is not true in general for available variants of MSG. We propose here two new variants of MSG which enjoy both primal and dual convergence, as long as the dual optimal set is nonempty. These variants have a very simple choice for the stepsizes. Moreover, we also establish primal convergence when the dual optimal set is empty. Finally, our second variant of MSG converges in a finite number of steps.     

Optimal Consumption and Portfolio with Ambiguity to Markovian Switching

This paper considers the problem of maximizing expected utility from consumption and terminal wealth under model uncertainty for a general semimartingale market, where the agent with an initial capital and a random endowment can invest. To find a solution to the investment problem we use the martingale method. We first prove that under appropriate assumptions a unique solution to the investment problem exists. Then we deduce that the value functions of primal problem and dual problem are convex conjugate functions. Furthermore we consider a diffusion-jump-model where the coefficients depend on the state of a Markov chain and the investor is ambiguity to the intensity of the underlying Poisson process. Finally, for an agent with the logarithmic utility function, we use the stochastic control method to derive the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellmann (HJB) equation. And the solution to this HJB equation can be determined numerically. We also show how thereby the optimal investment strategy can be computed.     

Efficient algorithms for buffer space allocation

This paper describes efficient algorithms for determining how buffer space should be allocated in a flow line. We analyze two problems: a primal problem, which minimizes total buffer space subject to a production rate constraint; and a dual problem, which maximizes production rate subject to a total buffer space constraint. The dual problem is solved by means of a gradient method, and the primal problem is solved using the dual solution. Numerical results are presented. Profit optimization problems are natural generalizations of the primal and dual problems, and we show how they can be solved using essentially the same algorithms.     

Towards Strong Duality in Integer Programming

We consider in this paper the Lagrangian dual method for solving general integer programming. New properties of Lagrangian duality are derived by a means of perturbation analysis. In particular, a necessary and sufficient condition for a primal optimal solution to be generated by the Lagrangian relaxation is obtained. The solution properties of Lagrangian relaxation problem are studied systematically. To overcome the difficulties caused by duality gap between the primal problem and the dual problem, we introduce an equivalent reformulation for the primal problem via applying a pth power to the constraints. We prove that this reformulation possesses an asymptotic strong duality property. Primal feasibility and primal optimality of the Lagrangian relaxation problems can be achieved in this reformulation when the parameter p is larger than a threshold value, thus ensuring the existence of an optimal primal-dual pair. We further show that duality gap for this partial pth power reformulation is a strictly decreasing function of p in the case of a single constraint. Dedicated to Professor Alex Rubinov on the occasion of his 65th birthday. Research supported by the Research Grants Council of Hong Kong under Grant CUHK 4214/01E, and the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grants 79970107 and 10571116.     

New algorithms for convex cost tension problem with application to computer vision

Motivated by various applications to computer vision, we consider the convex cost tension problem, which is the dual of the convex cost flow problem. In this paper, we first propose a primal algorithm for computing an optimal solution of the problem. Our primal algorithm iteratively updates primal variables by solving associated minimum cut problems. We show that the time complexity of the primal algorithm is $O(K?T(n,m))$, where $K$ is the range of primal variables and $T(n,m)$ is the time needed to compute a minimum cut in a graph with $n$ nodes and $m$ edges. We then develop an improved version of the primal algorithm, called the primal–dual algorithm, by making good use of dual variables in addition to primal variables. Although its time complexity is the same as that of the primal algorithm, we can expect a better performance in practice. We finally consider an application to a computer vision problem called the panoramic image stitching.     

A Class of Subdifferential Inclusions for Elastic Unilateral Contact Problems

We consider a class of stationary subdifferential inclusions in a reflexive Banach space. We reformulate the problem in terms of a variational inequality with multivalued term and prove an existence result using the Kakutani-Fan-Glicksberg fixed point theorem. This approach allows to consider, in a natural way, a dual variational formulation of the problem. Next, we study the link between the primal and dual formulations and provide an equivalence result. Then, we consider a new mathematical model which describes the contact of an elastic body with a foundation. We apply the abstract formalism to derive the primal and the dual variational formulations of the problem, in terms of displacement and stress, respectively. Finally, we present existence and equivalence results in the study of this contact model.     

On a Modified Subgradient Algorithm for Dual Problems via Sharp Augmented Lagrangian*

We study convergence properties of a modified subgradient algorithm, applied to the dual problem defined by the sharp augmented Lagrangian. The primal problem we consider is nonconvex and nondifferentiable, with equality constraints. We obtain primal and dual convergence results, as well as a condition for existence of a dual solution. Using a practical selection of the step-size parameters, we demonstrate the algorithm and its advantages on test problems, including an integer programming and an optimal control problem. *Partially Supported by 2003 UniSA ITEE Small Research Grant Ero2. Supported by CAPES, Brazil, Grant No. 0664-02/2, during her visit to the School of Mathematics and Statistics, UniSA.