Stochastic optimization theory of backward stochastic differential equations with jumps and viscosity solutions of Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman equations Original Research Article

In this paper we study stochastic optimal control problems with jumps with the help of the theory of Backward Stochastic Differential Equations (BSDEs) with jumps. We generalize the results of Peng [S. Peng, BSDE and stochastic optimizations, in: J. Yan, S. Peng, S. Fang, L. Wu, Topics in Stochastic Analysis, Science Press, Beijing, 1997 (Chapter 2) (in Chinese)] by considering cost functionals defined by controlled BSDEs with jumps. The application of BSDE methods, in particular, the use of the notion of stochastic backward semigroups introduced by Peng in the above-mentioned work allows a straightforward proof of a dynamic programming principle for value functions associated with stochastic optimal control problems with jumps. We prove that the value functions are the viscosity solutions of the associated generalized Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman equations with integral-differential operators. For this proof, we adapt Peng’s BSDE approach, given in the above-mentioned reference, developed in the framework of stochastic control problems driven by Brownian motion to that of stochastic control problems driven by Brownian motion and Poisson random measure.