This paper uses risk neutral densities (RNDs) of stock options to investigate the markets perceptions of crash risk in the recent U.S. subprime crisis. RNDs were estimated using the double lognormal method for the S&P 500 market index, Lehman Brothers, Merrill Lynch and Goldman Sachs. We find...

The value premium remains a puzzle despite considerable research effort in accounting for the higher returns earned by value stocks relative to growth stocks. A rational explanation is that value stocks are more risky than growth stocks. We seek to validate the risk argument in a nonparametric...