Stochastic Perron's method for Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equations

Erhan Bayraktar, Mihai Sirbu

Published 2012-12-10, updated 2013-09-24Version 4

We show that the value function of a stochastic control problem is the unique solution of the associated Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman (HJB) equation, completely avoiding the proof of the so-called dynamic programming principle (DPP). Using Stochastic Perron's method we construct a super-solution lying below the value function and a sub-solution dominating it. A comparison argument easily closes the proof. The program has the precise meaning of verification for viscosity-solutions, obtaining the DPP as a conclusion. It also immediately follows that the weak and strong formulations of the stochastic control problem have the same value. Using this method we also capture the possible face-lifting phenomenon in a straightforward manner.