In? mid-2009, Rite Aid had? CCC-rated, 7?-year bonds outstanding with a yield to maturity of 17.3%. At the? time, similar maturity Treasuries had a yield of 4%.
Suppose the market risk premium is 5% and you believe Rite? Aid's bonds have a beta of 0.34.
The expected loss rate of these bonds in the event of default is 55%.
a. What annual probability of default would be consistent with the yield to maturity of these bonds in? mid-2009?
b. In? mid-2015, Rite-Aid's bonds had a yield of 6.8%?, while similar maturity Treasuries had a yield of 1.6%.
What probability of default would you estimate? now?