A hybrid model based on three-tier approach to predict corporate default

Corporate financial distress is the most unpleasant event that will result in catastrophic issues for its stakeholders. In addition to the huge losses for the business itself, this event can potentially affect the country's economy. Therefore, quick and timely detection of financial distress is essential to support various financial and social investments. In this regard, the present study aimed at providing a combined model of corporate default prediction and classifying firms into three groups: healthy, stressed and distressed. In this study, first, using a library research method, 47 variables or ratios were identified, selected and classified into three groups: fundamental or financial variables, market variables and macroeconomic variables. Then, considering the frequency and successful performance of these ratios in previous studies and by performing statistical tests, potential variables affecting financial distress were identified. In this study, multinomial logistic regression was used to provide a combined model of corporate default prediction. Also, in order to measure corporate default, the Black-Scholes-Merton (BSM) model was used. Findings indicated that 8 variables, including 5 financial variables, 2 market variables and 1 macroeconomic variable were statistically significant in the final model, and in fiscal year 1398, the accuracy of this model was 90% in the group of distressed firms, 85% in the group of stressed firms and 90% in the group of healthy firms.