Dynamic Equilibrium Limit Order Book Model and Optimal Execution Problem

Abstract: In this paper we propose a dynamic model of Limit Order Book (LOB). The main feature of our model is that the shape of the LOB is determined endogenously by an expected utility function via a competitive equilibrium argument. Assuming zero resilience, the resulting equilibrium density of the LOB is random, nonlinear, and time inhomogeneous. Consequently, the liquidity cost can be defined dynamically in a natural way. We next study an optimal execution problem in our model. We verify that the value function satisfies the Dynamic Programming Principle, and is a viscosity solution to the corresponding Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equation which is in the form of an integro-partial-differential quasi-variational inequality. We also prove the existence and analyze the structure of the optimal strategy via a verification theorem argument, assuming that the PDE has a classical solution.