On A Class Of Rank-Based Continuous Semimartingales

Abstract: Using the theory of Dirichlet forms we construct a large class of continuous semimartingales on an open domain $E \subset \mathbb{R}^d$, which are governed by rank-based, in addition to name-based, characteristics. Using the results of Baur et al. [Potential Analysis, 38(4):1233-1258,2013] we obtain a strong Feller property for this class of diffusions. As a consequence we are able to establish the nonexistence of triple collisions and obtain a simplified formula for the dynamics of its rank process. We also establish conditions under which the process is ergodic. Our main motivation is Stochastic Portfolio Theory (SPT), where rank-based diffusions of this type are used to model financial markets. We show that three main classes of models studied in SPT -- Atlas models, generalized volatility-stabilized models and polynomial models -- are special cases of our framework.