We review the theory of leverage developed in collateral equilibrium models with incomplete markets. We explain how leverage tends to boost asset prices, and create bubbles. We show how leverage can be endogenously determined in equilibrium, and how it depends on volatility. We describe the dynamic feedback properties of leverage, volatility, and asset prices, in what we call the Leverage Cycle...

We empirically investigate predictions from alternative intermediary asset pricing theories. The theories distinguish themselves in their use of intermediary equity or leverage as pricing factors or forecasting variables. We find strong support for a parsimonious dynamic pricing model based on broker-dealer leverage as the return forecasting variable and shocks to broker-dealer leverage as a cr...

We investigate intermediary asset pricing theories empirically and find strong support for intermediary book leverage as the relevant state variable. A parsimonious dynamic pricing model that uses detrended broker-dealer leverage as a price of risk variable, and innovations to broker-dealer leverage as pricing factor is shown to perform well in time series and cross sectional tests of a wide va...

Many stylized facts of leverage, trading, and asset prices follow from a frictionless general equilibrium model that features agents’ heterogeneity in endowments and habit preferences. Our model predicts that aggregate debt increases in good times when stock prices are high, return volatility is low, and levered agents enjoy a “consumption boom.” Our model is consistent with poorer agents borro...

The He and Krishnamurthy models imply that the financial intermediary sector – measured broadly, and not just focused for example on hedge funds – has leverage that rises during crisis. The prediction is due to a mix of general equilibrium and corporate finance arguments. First, in the model, in general equilibrium the intermediary sector must retains the bulk of risk exposure from intermediate...

A home is the single largest purchase that most households make, and it is one that usually requires some debt financing. Because housing debt is such a large component of households’ balance sheets, it is important to understand the financing decision. In this paper, we use household level data from the HILDA survey to relate households’ leverage to their observed characteristics using both gr...