On the determinants of the implied default barrier

Georges Dionne () and Sadok Laajimi

Journal of Empirical Finance, 2012, vol. 19, issue 3, 395-408

Abstract: Many structural models specify the default barrier, but few have explored its empirical significance and determinants. The effect of liquidity shortage is not well measured, nor is the effect of strategic default well identified. We use the maximum likelihood (ML) approach to estimate the default barrier model and the Merton-KMV model using market values of equities in a sample of 762 public industrial firms. The estimated barrier is below leverage in our sample. The default probability from the two structural models provides similar in-sample fits, but the default barrier framework achieves better out-of-sample forecasts. Our analysis also focuses on the factors that influence the level of the implied default barrier when leverage is endogenous, and shows that endogenous leverage is not the only determinant of the default barrier as predicted by the standard structural credit model. The implied default threshold is positively related to financing costs, and negatively related to liquidity, asset volatility, and firm size. Three strategic default variables (liquidation costs, renegotiation frictions and equity holders’ bargaining power) increase the implied default barrier level. This evidence supports strategic default models.

Keywords: Barrier option; Default barrier; Bankruptcy prediction; Maximum likelihood estimation; Strategic default; Liquidity shortage (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: G32 G33 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2012
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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Related works:
Working Paper: On the determinants of the implied default barrier (2011)
Working Paper: On the Determinants of the Implied Default Barrier (2009)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:empfin:v:19:y:2012:i:3:p:395-408

DOI: 10.1016/j.jempfin.2012.03.004

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