Credit default risk is measured by which indicators?

• A. Credit ratings, credit spreads, and loss given default.
• B. Market share and brand equity.
• C. Interest coverage ratio alone.
• D. Historical dividend payments.

Answer: (A)

Credit default risk is best assessed with measures that reflect both how likely a borrower is to miss payments and how much would be lost if that failure occurs. Credit ratings from agencies summarize default probability over a horizon and adjust for risk factors, so a higher rating signals lower default risk. Credit spreads show the extra yield investors require over a risk-free rate; when risk rises, spreads widen, making them a market read on perceived credit risk. Loss given default estimates how much of the exposure could be lost if default happens, capturing the severity of a potential loss and typically incorporating recoveries and collateral.

These indicators work together to give a clear picture of both the likelihood of default and its potential impact, which is why they’re the standard means of assessing credit default risk. Other options are less direct: market share and brand equity pertain to competitive position, not the borrower’s ability to meet debt obligations; the interest coverage ratio looks at servicing debt relative to earnings but doesn’t fully capture default probability or loss severity; historical dividend payments don’t reveal current credit risk.