A general equilibrium model of a multifirm moral-hazard economy with financial markets

We present a general equilibrium model of a moral-hazard economy with many firms and financial markets, where stocks and bonds are traded. Contrary to the principal-agent literature, we argue that optimal contracting in an infinite economy is not about a tradeoff between risk sharing and incentives, but it is all about incentives. Even when the economy is finite, optimal contracts do not depend on principals' risk aversion, but on market prices of risks. We also show that optimal contracting does not require relative performance evaluation, that the second best risk-free interest rate is lower than that of the first best, and that the second-best equity premium can be higher or lower than that of the first best. Moral hazard can contribute to the resolution of the risk-free rate puzzle. Its potential to explain the equity premium puzzle is examined. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.