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Credit risk and asymmetric information: A simplified approach

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  • Lindset, Snorre
  • Lund, Arne-Christian
  • Persson, Svein-Arne

Abstract

We present a simple model for risky, corporate debt. Debtholders and equityholders have incomplete information about the financial state of the debt issuing company. Information is incomplete because it is delayed for all agents, and it is asymmetrically distributed between debtholders and equityholders. We solve for the equityholders' optimal default policy and for the credit spreads required by debtholders. Delayed information accelerates the equityholders' optimal decision to default. Interestingly, this effect is small, implying only a small impact on credit spreads. Asymmetric information, however, has a major impact on credit spreads. Our model predicts high credit spreads for short-term debt, as observed empirically in credit markets.

Suggested Citation

  • Lindset, Snorre & Lund, Arne-Christian & Persson, Svein-Arne, 2014. "Credit risk and asymmetric information: A simplified approach," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 39(C), pages 98-112.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:dyncon:v:39:y:2014:i:c:p:98-112
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jedc.2013.11.006
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    Cited by:

    1. Liu, Bo & Liu, Yang & Peng, Juan & Yang, Jinqiang, 2017. "Optimal capital structure and credit spread under incomplete information," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 596-611.
    2. Shanshan Jiang & Hong Fan & Min Xia, 2018. "Credit Risk Contagion Based on Asymmetric Information Association," Complexity, Hindawi, vol. 2018, pages 1-11, July.
    3. Helberg, Stig & Lindset, Snorre, 2014. "How do asset encumbrance and debt regulations affect bank capital and bond risk?," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 44(C), pages 39-54.
    4. Zhao, Zhiming & Li, Shasha & Tang, Huiling, 2021. "Write-down bonds, credit risk and imperfect information," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 57(C).
    5. Zhangxi Lin & Andrew B. Whinston & Shaokun Fan, 2015. "Harnessing Internet finance with innovative cyber credit management," Financial Innovation, Springer;Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, vol. 1(1), pages 1-24, December.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Default policy; Credit spreads; Incomplete information;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G12 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Asset Pricing; Trading Volume; Bond Interest Rates
    • G33 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Bankruptcy; Liquidation

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