Optimal stopping with f -expectations: the irregular case

Abstract

We consider the optimal stopping problem with non-linear $f$-expectation (induced by a BSDE) without making any regularity assumptions on the reward process $\xi$. and with general filtration. We show that the value family can be aggregated by an optional process $Y$. We characterize the process $Y$ as the ${\mathcal{E}}^f$-Snell envelope of $\xi$. We also establish an infinitesimal characterization of the value process $Y$ in terms of a Reflected BSDE with $\xi$ as the obstacle. To do this, we first establish a comparison theorem for irregular RBSDEs. We give an application to the pricing of American options with irregular pay-off in an imperfect market model.