In the Black-Cox model, a firm defaults when its value hits an exponential barrier. Here, we propose an hybrid model that generalizes this framework. The default intensity can take two different values and switches when the firm value crosses a barrier. Of course, the intensity level is higher...

We explore how general economic conditions impact defaults and major credit rating changes by fitting reduced-form Cox intensity models with a broad range of macroeconomic and firm-specific ratings-related variables. For all corporate issuers in the period 1981–2002 we find both types of...