Copula functions have become standard practice for pricing multi-name credit derivatives. Marginal default distributions are often chosen by using a simple deterministic intensity function. It is wellknown that this approach only generates default time correlation and, apart from jumps due to default events, does not generate correlation between the conditional default intensities, or the condi...

Abstract. We study default contagion in large homogeneous credit portfolios. Using data from the iTraxx Europe series, two synthetic CDO portfolios are calibrated against their tranche spreads, index CDS spreads and average CDS spreads, all with five year maturity. After the calibrations, which render perfect fits, we investigate the implied expected ordered defaults times, implied default corr...

This paper studies the problem of default correlation. We first introduce a random variable called “timeuntil-default” to denote the survival time of each defaultable entity or financial instrument, and define the default correlation between two credit risks as the correlation coefficient between their survival times. Then we argue why a copula function approach should be used to specify the jo...

The specification of a realistic dependence structure is key to the pricing of multi-name credit derivatives. We value small k th-to-default CDS baskets in the presence of asset correlation and default contagion. Using a first-passage framework, firm values are modeled as correlated geometric Brownian motions with exponential default thresholds. Idiosyncratic links between companies are incorpo...

This paper studies the problem of default correlation. We first introduce a random variable called “timeuntil-default” to denote the survival time of each defaultable entity or financial instrument, and define the default correlation between two credit risks as the correlation coefficient between their survival times. Then we argue why a copula function approach should be used to specify the jo...

The way monoline insurers estimate the FAS 157 credit value adjustments (CVA) on their ABS CDO insurance portfolios vastly overstates the benefits. We propose a simple method that is more accurate, especially when the counterparty default risk is high. The counterparty default recovery rate is also a critical input. Counterparty credit risk is an important topic today with credit crunch affecti...

The aim of this paper is to study the impact of Stock returns volatility of reference entities on credit default swap rates using a new dataset from the Japanese market. The majority of empirical research suggests the inadequacy of multinormal distribution and then the failure of methods based on correlation for measuring the structure of dependency. Using a copula approach, we can model the di...

Concerns have been raised, especially since the global financial crisis, about whether trading in credit default swaps (CDS) increases the credit risk of the reference entities. This study examines this issue by quantifying the impact of CDS trading on the credit risk of firms. We use a unique, comprehensive sample covering 901 CDS introductions on North American corporate issuers between June ...