What Determines CDS Prices? Evidence from the Estimation of Protection Demand and Supply

This paper examines the determinants of credit default swap (CDS) premiums by applying a limited dependent variable simultaneous equation system to a unique set of time series data for the Japanese credit market. The estimation results indicate that CDS premiums decrease as a result of an increase in the supply of protection due, for example, to fewer opportunities for investment in other assets (e.g., loans). We also find that premiums increase when the demand for protection increases due, for example, to larger short-cover needs. Further, the quantitative impact of factors accounting for the supply and demand of protection is likely to be misestimated unless the simultaneous determination of supply and demand is taken into account. This indicates that it is necessary to include demand and supply factors to understand fluctuations in CDS premiums.