On optimal joint reflective and refractive dividend strategies in spectrally positive Lévy models

Publication date: January 2017
Source:Insurance: Mathematics and Economics, Volume 72
Author(s): Benjamin Avanzi, José-Luis Pérez, Bernard Wong, Kazutoshi Yamazaki
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 bounded and unbounded payout rates, respectively. In this paper, motivated by the behavior of some dividend paying stock exchange companies, we determine the optimal dividend strategy when both continuous (refractive) and lump sum (reflective) dividends can be paid at any time, and if they are subject to different transaction rates. We consider the general family of spectrally positive Lévy processes. Using scale functions, we obtain explicit formulas for the expected present value of dividends until ruin, with a penalty at ruin. We develop a verification lemma, and show that a two-layer $(a,b)$ strategy is optimal. Such a strategy pays continuous dividends when the surplus exceeds level $a\>0$, and all of the excess over $b\>a$ as lump sum dividend payments. Results are illustrated.