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Predicting issuer credit ratings using a semiparametric method

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  • Hwang, Ruey-Ching
  • Chung, Huimin
  • Chu, C.K.

Abstract

This paper proposes a prediction method based on an ordered semiparametric probit model for credit risk forecast. The proposed prediction model is constructed by replacing the linear regression function in the usual ordered probit model with a semiparametric function, thus it allows for more flexible choice of regression function. The unknown parameters in the proposed prediction model are estimated by maximizing a local (weighted) log-likelihood function, and the resulting estimators are analyzed through their asymptotic biases and variances. A real data example for predicting issuer credit ratings is used to illustrate the proposed prediction method. The empirical result confirms that the new model compares favorably with the usual ordered probit model.

Suggested Citation

  • Hwang, Ruey-Ching & Chung, Huimin & Chu, C.K., 2010. "Predicting issuer credit ratings using a semiparametric method," Journal of Empirical Finance, Elsevier, vol. 17(1), pages 120-137, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:empfin:v:17:y:2010:i:1:p:120-137
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    Cited by:

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    2. Ruey-Ching Hwang & Chih-Kang Chu, 2013. "Forecasting forward defaults: a simple hazard model with competing risks," Quantitative Finance, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 14(8), pages 1467-1477, August.
    3. Arundina, Tika & Azmi Omar, Mohd. & Kartiwi, Mira, 2015. "The predictive accuracy of Sukuk ratings; Multinomial Logistic and Neural Network inferences," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 34(C), pages 273-292.
    4. Mustafa Pamuk & Matthias Schumann, 2023. "Opening a New Era with Machine Learning in Financial Services? Forecasting Corporate Credit Ratings Based on Annual Financial Statements," IJFS, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-20, July.
    5. Jaspreet Kaur & Madhu Vij & Ajay Kumar Chauhan, 2023. "Signals influencing corporate credit ratings—a systematic literature review," DECISION: Official Journal of the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, Springer;Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, vol. 50(1), pages 91-114, March.
    6. Cheng Few Lee, 2020. "Financial econometrics, mathematics, statistics, and financial technology: an overall view," Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, Springer, vol. 54(4), pages 1529-1578, May.
    7. Parisa Golbayani & Ionuc{t} Florescu & Rupak Chatterjee, 2020. "A comparative study of forecasting Corporate Credit Ratings using Neural Networks, Support Vector Machines, and Decision Trees," Papers 2007.06617, arXiv.org.
    8. Sermpinis, Georgios & Tsoukas, Serafeim & Zhang, Ping, 2018. "Modelling market implied ratings using LASSO variable selection techniques," Journal of Empirical Finance, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 19-35.
    9. Golbayani, Parisa & Florescu, Ionuţ & Chatterjee, Rupak, 2020. "A comparative study of forecasting corporate credit ratings using neural networks, support vector machines, and decision trees," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 54(C).
    10. Afef Feki Krichene & Walid Khoufi, 2016. "On the Nonlinearity of the Financial Ratios-Credit Ratings Relationship," Applied Finance and Accounting, Redfame publishing, vol. 2(2), pages 65-70, August.
    11. Shi, Baofeng & Chi, Guotai & Li, Weiping, 2020. "Exploring the mismatch between credit ratings and loss-given-default: A credit risk approach," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 420-428.
    12. Ruey-Ching Hwang & Huimin Chung & C. K. Chu, 2016. "A Two-Stage Probit Model for Predicting Recovery Rates," Journal of Financial Services Research, Springer;Western Finance Association, vol. 50(3), pages 311-339, December.
    13. Lin, Yi-Chen & Hwang, Ruey-Ching & Deng, Wen-Shuenn, 2015. "Heterogeneity in the relationship between subjective well-being and its determinants over the life cycle: A varying-coefficient ordered probit approach," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 372-386.
    14. Ruey-Ching Hwang & Chih-Kang Chu & Kaizhi Yu, 2021. "Predicting the Loss Given Default Distribution with the Zero-Inflated Censored Beta-Mixture Regression that Allows Probability Masses and Bimodality," Journal of Financial Services Research, Springer;Western Finance Association, vol. 59(3), pages 143-172, June.
    15. Doumpos, Michael & Niklis, Dimitrios & Zopounidis, Constantin & Andriosopoulos, Kostas, 2015. "Combining accounting data and a structural model for predicting credit ratings: Empirical evidence from European listed firms," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 599-607.
    16. Hirk, Rainer & Vana, Laura & Hornik, Kurt, 2022. "A corporate credit rating model with autoregressive errors," Journal of Empirical Finance, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 224-240.
    17. Doumpos, Michalis & Figueira, José Rui, 2019. "A multicriteria outranking approach for modeling corporate credit ratings: An application of the Electre Tri-nC method," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 166-180.
    18. Balios, Dimitris & Thomadakis, Stavros & Tsipouri, Lena, 2016. "Credit rating model development: An ordered analysis based on accounting data," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 38(C), pages 122-136.

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