Is the Credit Spread Puzzle a Myth?
Georgetown McDonough School of Business Research Paper
University of Connecticut School of Business Research Paper No. 18-28
67 Pages Posted: 22 Oct 2018 Last revised: 7 Dec 2018
Date Written: October 1, 2018
Abstract
Structural models of default can identify asset value dynamics and the location of the default boundary from either (observable) credit spreads or (latent) default probabilities. The latter approach uses historical default rates as proxies, which provide such low statistical power that assumptions regarding asset value dynamics (e.g., geometric Brownian motion) typically go untested. In contrast, calibration via credit spreads offers much more power, and clearly detects jumps in (risk-neutral) asset value dynamics. A large market price of risk on jumps is required to match historical default rates, thus reaffirming a "credit spread puzzle" for investment-grade but not high-yield bonds.
Keywords: credit spread puzzle, structural models, tail risk
JEL Classification: C23, G12, G13
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation