Compared to the past literature on prediction markets that uses small-scale observational field data or experiments, this present research examines the efficiency of such markets by studying catastrophe (CAT) bonds. We collect actual catastrophe loss data, match them with the defined trigger events of each CAT bond contract, and then employ an empirical pricing framework to obtain the excess CAT premiums in order to represent the market-based forecasts. Our results indeed show that market-based forecasts have more significant predictive content for future CAT losses than professional forecasts that use natural catastrophe risk models. Although the predictive information for CAT events is specialized and complex, our evidence supports that CAT bond markets are successful prediction markets that efficiently aggregate information about future CAT losses. Our resultsalso highlight that actual CAT losses in future periods can explain the excess CAT bond spreads in the primary market and provide support for market efficiency when pricing CAT risk.

We examine whether and how board connections affect the firm's corporate social responsibilities (CSR). Grounded in the agency, resource dependence, and social network theory, our research predicts and finds that board connectedness is positively associated with CSR performance. This result is robust to a quasi-natural experiment, alternative measurement specifications, and an instrumental variable approach. Our findings suggest firms that operate in a complex business environment or require more advising (i.e. where demand for information is greater) benefit more from a well-networked board. Also, firms that are poorly governed, have high stock return volatility, low market capitalization, or low institutional ownership tend to benefit more from the well-connected board when the cost of acquiring information is higher. In addition, we show that independent directors’ abilities to gather information and resources from their networks can facilitate the transmission of information. Collectively, our study documents the informational advantage of a network as the predominant channel that allows a well-connected board to improve a firm’s CSR performance.