Predicting and Pricing the Probability of Default

Abstract

In this paper we study how corporate bond defaults can be predicted using financial ratios and how the estimated default probability relates to the Fama-French factors, HML and SMB. We propose a default forecast model that outperforms existing models in correctly classifying both Default and Non-Default firms. Using the default probabilities generated by our model, we find evidences that support the interpretation of HML as a distress factor. Factor loadings are positively related to the firm default probabilities. HML is negatively correlated with changes in the level of aggregate financial distress.

Keywords: Default, Hazard Rate, Distress Risk