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The impact of ESMA regulatory identifiers on the quality of ratings

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  • Klusak, Patrycja
  • Alsakka, Rasha
  • ap Gwilym, Owain

Abstract

This paper investigates the impact of the introduction of ESMA credit rating identifiers on the quality of ratings. These identifiers form part of the disclosure requirements placed upon credit rating agencies (CRAs) since 2012 under a new EU regulatory regime and have not featured in any prior empirical literature. Rating informativeness is gauged from bond market data. Using a rich dataset of sovereign rating actions by the three major CRAs for 70 countries during the period 2006–2016, we find that the ESMA requirement for identifiers yields varying outcomes across downgrades and upgrades. The rating quality associated with downgrades by Moody's improves, whereas upgrades by S&P, Moody's and Fitch are of lower quality. These results are consistent with greater conservatism in rating policies after the regulatory reforms. ESMA's additional focus on analyst location does not reveal any consistent difference in the quality of ratings.

Suggested Citation

  • Klusak, Patrycja & Alsakka, Rasha & ap Gwilym, Owain, 2019. "The impact of ESMA regulatory identifiers on the quality of ratings," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finana:v:66:y:2019:i:c:s1057521918307798
    DOI: 10.1016/j.irfa.2019.06.004
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    1. Meier, Samira & Rodriguez Gonzalez, Miguel & Kunze, Frederik, 2021. "The global financial crisis, the EMU sovereign debt crisis and international financial regulation: lessons from a systematic literature review," International Review of Law and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 65(C).
    2. Sahibzada, Irfan Ullah & Rizwan, Muhammad Suhail & Qureshi, Anum, 2022. "Impact of sovereign credit ratings on systemic risk and the moderating role of regulatory reforms: An international investigation," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 145(C).
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    4. Ahmed Saleh & Ahmed Aboud & Yasser Eliwa, 2023. "IFRS 8 and the cost of capital in Europe," International Journal of Finance & Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 28(3), pages 3198-3231, July.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Rating agency regulation; ESMA identifiers; Quality of ratings; Analyst location;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G15 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - International Financial Markets
    • G24 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Investment Banking; Venture Capital; Brokerage

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