Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Philipp Matros Author-X-Name-First: Philipp Author-X-Name-Last: Matros Author-Name: Johannes Vilsmeier Author-X-Name-First: Johannes Author-X-Name-Last: Vilsmeier Title: Measuring Option Implied Degree of Distress in the US Financial Sector Using the Entropy Principle Abstract: We estimate time series of option implied Probabilities of Default (PoDs) for 19 major US financial institutions from 2002 to 2012. These PoDs are estimated as mass points of entropy based risk neutral densities and subsequently corrected for maturity dependence. The ob- tained time series are evaluated with regard to their consistency and predictive power and their properties are compared to Credit Default Swap Spreads (CDS). Moreover, we also derive an indicator for the systemic risk in the US nancial sector. We find that the PoDs are superior to CDS in identifying the high risk banks prior to the Lehman crisis. Length: 46 pages Creation-Date: 2012-08 File-URL: http://www.bgpe.de/texte/DP/123_MatrosVilsmeier.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf File-Function: First version, 2012 Number: 123 Classification-JEL: C14, C32, G01, G21 Keywords: Entropy Principle, Risk Neutral Density, Probability of Default, Financial Stability Indicator, Credit Default Swaps Handle: RePEc:bav:wpaper:123_MatrosVilsmeier