Markov approximation for controlled Hawkes Jump-Diffusions with general kernels

Abstract: We present a Markov approximation for jump-diffusions whose jump part consists in a Hawkes process with intensity driven by a general (possibly non-monotone) kernel. Under minimal integrability conditions, the kernel can be approximated by a linear combination of exponential functions. This implies that Hawkes jump-diffusions can be approximated with Markov jump-diffusions. We illustrate the usefulness of this approximation by applying it to a class of stochastic control problems.