Optimal replication of random claims by ordinary integrals with applications in finance

Abstract: By the classical Martingale Representation Theorem, replication of random vectors can be achieved via stochastic integrals or solutions of stochastic differential equations. We introduce a new approach to replication of random vectors via adapted differentiable processes generated by a controlled ordinary differential equation. We found that the solution of this replication problem exists and is not unique. This leads to a new optimal control problem: find a replicating process that is minimal in an integral norm. We found an explicit solution of this problem. Possible applications to portfolio selection problems and to bond pricing models are suggested.