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The Optimal Equilibrium for Time-Inconsistent Stopping Problems -- the Discrete-Time Case

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  • Yu-Jui Huang
  • Zhou Zhou

Abstract

We study an infinite-horizon discrete-time optimal stopping problem under non-exponential discounting. A new method, which we call the iterative approach, is developed to find subgame perfect Nash equilibria. When the discount function induces decreasing impatience, we establish the existence of an equilibrium through fixed-point iterations. Moreover, we show that there exists a unique optimal equilibrium, which generates larger value than any other equilibrium does at all times. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time a dominating subgame perfect Nash equilibrium is shown to exist in the literature of time-inconsistency.

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  • Yu-Jui Huang & Zhou Zhou, 2017. "The Optimal Equilibrium for Time-Inconsistent Stopping Problems -- the Discrete-Time Case," Papers 1707.04981, arXiv.org, revised Dec 2018.
    • Handle: RePEc:arx:papers:1707.04981
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    Cited by:

    1. Gad, Kamille Sofie Tågholt & Matomäki, Pekka, 2020. "Optimal variance stopping with linear diffusions," Stochastic Processes and their Applications, Elsevier, vol. 130(4), pages 2349-2383.
    2. Yu-Jui Huang & Zhou Zhou, 2017. "Optimal Equilibria for Time-Inconsistent Stopping Problems in Continuous Time," Papers 1712.07806, arXiv.org, revised Oct 2018.
    3. Christensen, Sören & Lindensjö, Kristoffer, 2020. "On time-inconsistent stopping problems and mixed strategy stopping times," Stochastic Processes and their Applications, Elsevier, vol. 130(5), pages 2886-2917.

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