We study whether option-implied jump risk premia can explain the high observed level of credit spreads. We use a structural jump-diffusion firm value model to assess the level of credit spreads generated by option-implied jump risk premia. Prices and returns of equity index and individual...

We study investor activism promoting environmental, social and governance (ESG) improvements using a proprietary dataset. Targets have a higher market share, analyst coverage, stock returns, and liquidity. The engagements lead to ESG rating adjustments. Activism is more likely to succeed when...

Among high Active Share portfolios – whose holdings differ substantially from their benchmark – only those with patient investment strategies (with holding durations of over 2 years) on average outperform, over 2% per year. Funds trading frequently generally underperform, including those...

We show that at-the-money implied volatility of options on futures of 5-year Treasury notes (Treasury ‘yield implied volatility') predicts both the growth rate and volatility of gross domestic product, as well as of other macroeconomic variables, like industrial production, consumption, and...

We introduce a new formula for Active Share that emphasizes that a fund's Active Share is only reduced through overlapping holdings with its benchmark. Next, we relate Active Share to the fund manager's individual stock picking skill, conviction and opportunity. We show why and how to adjust the...

This paper explores the economic role credit rating agencies play in the corporate bond market. We consider three existing theories about multiple ratings: information production, rating shopping and regulatory certification. Using differences in rating composition, default prediction and credit...

We introduce a new measure of active portfolio management, Active Share, which represents the share of portfolio holdings that differ from the benchmark index holdings. We compute Active Share for domestic equity mutual funds from 1980 to 2003. We relate Active Share to fund characteristics such...

Benchmarking, pay for luck, and the large compensation packages given to CEOs in recent years are three major controversial compensation practices. We examine the extent to which variation in the market for CEO talent explains these practices. We find that CEO compensation is benchmarked against...

This paper explores the role played by multiple credit rating agencies (CRAs) in the market for corporate bonds. Moody's, Samp;P and Fitch operate in a competitive setting with market demand for both credit information and the certification value of a high rating. We empirically document the...