A dynamic maximum principle for the optimization of recursive utilities under constraints

Abstract

This paper examines the continuous-time portfolio-consumption problem of an agent with a recursive utility in the presence of nonlinear constraints on the wealth. Using backward stochastic differential equations, we state a dynamic maximum principle which generalizes the characterization of optimal policies obtained by Duffie and Skiadas [J. Math Econ. 23, 107-131 (1994)] in the case of a linear wealth. From this property, we derive a characterization of optimal wealth and utility processes as the unique solution of a forward-backward system. Existence of an optimal policy is also established via a penalization method.