Option-based measures can predict underlying stock returns, due to differences in price discovery and price pressure effects between options and underlying stocks. We investigate stock return predictability by various option price-based measures using REITs. REITs are more transparent and...

Do financial market developments matter for rank-and-file workers? We find that equity options or credit default swaps (CDS) trading on a firm improves employee welfare ratings. The results are robust to alternative welfare outcome measures including a firm’s selection into "Best Companies to...

The credit default swaps (CDS) market provides a trading venue for downside price movement. We find that future stock price crashes are less frequent after the inception of CDS trading on the firm's debt. The causal effect of CDS trading on stock crash risk is supported by multiple approaches,...

We find evidence consistent with previously unrecognized market manipulation by broker-dealers. Specifically, we show that pre-trade hedging, which is distinct from front-running, alters prices at which derivative trades occur. We document that this behavior is intentional by exploiting...