Merton (1974) suggested a structural model for default prediction which allows using timely information from the equity market. The literature describes several specifications to the application of the model, including methods presumably used by practitioners. However, recent studies demonstrate...

The collapse of structured bond ratings during the 2007-2008 financial crisis called attention to the possibility of rating inflation due to lowered rating standards and rating shopping. Nevertheless, little empirical evidence has been offered for this prospect. The Israeli corporate credit...

This paper uses a sample of 335 firms participating in strategic alliances in order to re-examine the value creation through strategic alliances. We show that the immediate positive response of stock markets to new strategic alliances is followed by negative abnormal returns. Twenty days after...

This study proposes models that can be used as shorthand analysis tools for CDS spreads and CDS spread changes. For this purpose we examine the determinants of CDS spreads and spread changes on a broad database of 718 US firms during the period from early 2002 to early 2013. Contrary to previous...

This work examines the information value of local Israeli credit rating announcements. This matter is also important to other small markets, in which a debt issuer may take advantage of a “rating shopping” process or choose to avoid a rating procedure altogether, because the agencies do not...

Prior literature documents rating agencies adopting more stringent rating criteria over time. Following earlier research on this puzzling phenomenon, our main contribution is the hypothesis that rising rating accuracy explains some of the observed patterns. We present empirical evidence...

Prior literature documents rating agencies adopting more stringent rating criteria over time. Following earlier research on this puzzling phenomenon, our main contribution is the hypothesis that rising rating accuracy explains some of the observed patterns. We present empirical evidence...