This paper finds that systematic default risk, or the event of widespread defaults in the corporate sector, is an important determinant of equity returns. Moreover, the market price of systematic default risk is one order of magnitude higher than the market price of other risk factors. In...

Intro -- Contents -- I. INTRODUCTION -- II. CREDIT RISK TRANSFER INSTRUMENTS: STRUCTURED CREDIT PRODUCTS AND CREDIT DERIVATIVES -- III. INTERLINKAGES ACROSS FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS -- IV. EXPOSURE OF U. K. FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS TO CREDIT DERIVATIVES -- V. REGULATORY AND SUPERVISORY INITIATIVES...

Intro -- Contents -- I. INTRODUCTION -- II. EQUITY RETURNS AND SYSTEMATIC DEFAULT RISK -- III. EXTRACTING SYSTEMATIC DEFAULT RISK MEASURES FROM CREDIT DERIVATIVES PRICES -- IV. IS SYSTEMATIC DEFAULT RISK PRICED IN EQUITY RETURNS? -- V. CONCLUSIONS -- REFERENCES.

The increasing ability to trade credit risk in financial markets has facilitated its dispersion across the financial and other sectors. However, specific risks attached to credit risk transfer (CRT) instruments in a market with still-limited liquidity means that its rapid expansion may actually...