We identify a close relation between stable distributions and the limiting homomorphisms central to the theory of regular variation. In so doing some simplifications are achieved in the direct analysis of these laws in Pitman and Pitman (2016); stable distributions are themselves linked to homomorphy.

The focus of our attention is the limit distribution of the sum of independent and identically distributed random vectors from which all the extreme summands are removed. The problem is rather trivial if the summands are ordered by their norms. It is of much more interest when the vertices of the convex hull generated by the vectors are taken as the extremes.

The asymptotic behaviour of an occupation-time process associated with alternating renewal processes is investigated in the infinite mean cycle case. The limit theorems obtained extend some asymptotic results proved by Dynkin (1955), Lamperti (1958) and Erickson (1970) for the classical spent lifetime process. Some new phenomena are also presented.

Asymptotic expansions are obtained for finite-dimensional symmetric stable distributions.They are used to prove the existence of continuous transition probability densities of stable and stable-like jump-diffusions, and to construct local multiplicative asymptoticsand global two-sided estimates for these densities. As a consequence, the distribution of the first passage times for stable jump-diffusions is estimated and the integral test for the limsup behaviour of their sample paths as $t\to 0$ is provided. 1991 Mathematics Subject Classification: 60E07, 60G17, 60J35, 47D07.

Let X (1) ≦ X (2) ≦ ·· ·≦ X (N(t)) be the order statistics of the first N(t) elements from a sequence of independent identically distributed random variables, where {N(t); t ≧ 0} is a renewal counting process independent of the sequence of X's. We give a complete description of the asymptotic distribution of sums made from the top kt extreme values, for any sequence kt such that kt → ∞, kt /t → 0 as t → ∞. We discuss applications to reinsurance policies based on large claims.

A shock model in which the time intervals between shocks are in the domain of attraction of a stable law of order less than 1 or relatively stable is considered. Weak limit theorems are established for the cumulative magnitude of the shocks and the first time the cumulative magnitude exceeds z without any assumption on the dependence between the intershock interval and shock magnitude.

Let {(Jn, Xn ), n ≧ 0} be the standard J–X process of Markov renewal theory. Suppose {J n, n ≧ 0} is irreducible, aperiodic and positive recurrent. It is shown using the strong mixing condition, that if converges in distribution, where an, bn > 0 (bn → ∞) are real constants, then the limit law F must be stable. Suppose Q(x) = {PijHi (x)} is the semi-Markov matrix of {(J n X n ), n ≧ 0}. Then the n-fold convolution, Q ∗n (bnx + anbn ), converges in distribution to F(x)Π if and only if converges in distribution to F. Π is the matrix of stationary transition probabilities of {J n , n ≧ 0}. Sufficient conditions on the Hi 's are given for the convergence of the sequence of semi-Markov matrices to F(x)Π, where F is stable.

The least squares estimators β i(N), j = 1, …, p, from N data points, of the autoregressive constants for a stationary autoregressive model are considered when the disturbances have a distribution attracted to a stable law of index α < 2. It is shown that N1/δ(β i(N) – β) converges almost surely to zero for any δ > α. Some comments are made on alternative definitions of the βi (N).

There exist three classes of probability laws that are stable for maxima. A number of well-known distributions lie in the domains of attraction of these laws. This fact is sometimes exploited by fitting the distribution of maxima with one of the stable laws. Such a procedure may well be misguided, however, since distributions exist which produce maxima having any desired distribution and not just a stable type. In this paper partial attraction of maxima is defined and it is shown that all distributions have a non-empty domain of partial attraction of maxima. In fact, there exists a distribution that lies simultaneously in the domain of partial attraction of maxima of all distributions.

The limiting behavior of the number of runs up to time n of a regenerative phenomenon on the positive integers is related to the one of the number of regenerations. Applications are considered in fluctuation theory, and for the GI/G/1 queue.

Let F be a probability measure on the real line and G = Σ C(k)Fk ∗ the probability measure subordinate to F with subordinator C restricted to the nonnegative integers. Let V(x) vary regularly of order p for x→ ∞ and either (1) V(x) F[x, ∞)→ α ≧ 0 or (2) V(x) C[x, ∞)→ γ ≧ 0. If ρ > 1 and F(–∞, 0) = 0, necessary and sufficient in order that V(x) G[x, ∞)→b, is that both (1) and (2) hold for suitable α and γ. For 0 ≦ ρ ≦ 1 the conditions are of different type. For two-sided F a different situation arises and only sufficient conditions are found. An application to renewal moments of negative order is given.

The paper gives a survey of the theory of univariate characteristic functions. These functions were originally introduced as tools in the study of limit theorems but it was later realized that they had an independent mathematical interest. Those parts of the theory which can be found in textbooks are treated only briefly; the main emphasis is placed on more recent developments and areas where active research is still in progress.