Mean-field optimal multi-modes switching problem: A balance sheet

Abstract

We study a finite horizon optimal multi-modes switching problem with many nodes. The switching is based on the optimal expected profit and cost yields, moreover both sides of the balance sheet are considered. The profit and cost yields per unit time are respectively assumed to be coupled through a coupling term which is the average of profit and cost yields. The corresponding system of Snell envelopes is highly complex, so we consider the aggregated yields where a mean-field approximation is used for the coupling term. First, the problem is formulated by the mean of the Snell envelope of processes. Then, in terms of backward SDEs, the problem is equivalent to a system of mean-field reflected backward SDEs with interconnected and nonlinear obstacles. More precisely, the driver function depends also on the mean of the unknown process (expected profit or cost yields) which makes the mean-field interaction in the driver nonlinear. The first main result of this paper, is to show the existence of a continuous minimal solution of the system of mean-field reflected backward SDEs, which is done by using the Picard iteration method. The second main result concerns the optimality of the switching strategies which we fully characterize.