I present empirical evidence that the TED spread is a priced risk factor in the cross sectional stock returns. Stocks with higher exposure to the change in the TED spread require higher returns, and the return difference between the high sensitivity portfolio and the low sensitivity portfolio is...

Our study examines whether financial distress risk is systematic risk using twelve portfolios sorted by size, book-to-market, and leverage and a portfolio of distressed firms covering an 18-year period. It also tests the explanatory power of the risk factors that best capture default risk. The...