Abstract
We discuss a simple, exactly solvable model of stochastic
stock dynamics that incorporates regime switching between healthy and
distressed regimes. Using this model, which is analytically tractable, we
discuss a way of extracting expected returns for stocks from realized CDS
spreads, essentially, the CDS market sentiment about future stock returns. This
alpha/signal could be useful in a cross-sectional (statistical arbitrage)
context for equities trading.