Informationally advantaged lenders and the credit derivative market: Evidence from Loan only Credit Default Swap (LCDX)

This paper explores the informational role of the Loan Only Credit Default Index (LCDX) on the pricing of syndicated loans. Despite an extensive body of research on credit indices and loan pricing, limited studies have comprehensively assessed the complex relationship between the LCDX and individual loan spreads. Contrary to indices like the CDX, which are largely linked to corporate bonds, the LCDX directly pertains to the syndicated secured loan market, offering valuable insights about the overall credit default market and the cost of credit risk insurance. Preliminary results reveal a pronounced positive correlation between the LCDX spread and the syndicated loan spread, particularly noticeable amongst borrowers with lower credit quality. The paper highlights the LCDX's pivotal role in conveying secondary credit market information, with critical implications for credit risk management and financial regulations.