Arbitrage-Free Credit Pricing Using Default Probabilities and Risk Sensitivities

45 Pages Posted: 10 Jan 2009 Last revised: 1 Nov 2010

See all articles by Andreas Bloechlinger

Andreas Bloechlinger

University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland

Date Written: January 30, 2010

Abstract

The relation between physical probabilities (rating) and risk-neutral probabilities (pricing) is derived in a large market with a quasi-factor structure. Factor sensitivities and default probabilities can be estimated for all kinds of credits on historical rating data. Since factor prices are obtainable from market data, the model allows the pricing of non-marketable credits and structured products thereof. The model explains various empirical observations: Credit spreads of equally rated borrowers differ, spreads are wider than implied by expected losses, and expected returns on CDOs must be greater than their rating matched, single-obligor securities due to the inherent systematic risk.

Keywords: Arbitrage pricing theory (APT), Collateralized debt obligation (CDO), Esscher's change of measure, Physical and risk-neutral default probability, Generalized linear mixed model (GLMM)

JEL Classification: G12, G33

Suggested Citation

Bloechlinger, Andreas, Arbitrage-Free Credit Pricing Using Default Probabilities and Risk Sensitivities (January 30, 2010). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1325701 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1325701

Andreas Bloechlinger (Contact Author)

University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland ( email )

Riggenbachstrasse 16
Olten, Solothurn 4600
Switzerland

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
352
Abstract Views
1,875
Rank
155,804
PlumX Metrics