Abstract
To evaluate the default probability and the default correlation are two important issues for pricing the collateralized debt obligation (CDO). In this paper, we provide a complete pricing procedure for CDO tranches. First, we use a KMV model to construct the default probability of each obligor. We then apply copula functions, which are now widely used in financial research, to consdier the default correlation between obligors. For the empirical studey of Taiwan data, we employ a pricing model proposed by Laurent and Gregory (2003) to evaluate CDO tranches. It can be seen that the credit risk premium of a CDO tranche would be affected by the default probability, the recovery rate and the default correlation between obligors. These empirical results are consistent with the general consensus.