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Blurred stars: Mutual fund ratings in the shadow of conflicts of interest

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  • Zeng, Yamin
  • Yuan, Qingbo
  • Zhang, Junsheng

Abstract

Using unique data on trading commission payments to mutual fund rating companies (MFRCs) by mutual funds in China, this paper investigates whether the conflicts of interest arising from trading commission payments bias MFRCs’ mutual fund star ratings and hence affect their informativeness. We find the rating of a mutual fund is more optimistic when the MFRC either (i) receives trading commission fees from the mutual fund or (ii) can potentially receive fees in the future. The paper further shows that the usefulness of ratings in terms of predicting a fund’s future performance is negatively impacted by conflicts of interest. There is also evidence that investors can see through the problem, responding less enthusiastically (in terms of fund flows) to the ratings of conflicted MFRCs. We further find that the introduction of a rating qualification system that aims to improve mutual fund rating quality exacerbates the rating bias.

Suggested Citation

  • Zeng, Yamin & Yuan, Qingbo & Zhang, Junsheng, 2015. "Blurred stars: Mutual fund ratings in the shadow of conflicts of interest," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 284-295.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbfina:v:60:y:2015:i:c:p:284-295
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbankfin.2015.08.029
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    Cited by:

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    2. Pornanong Budsaratragoon & Boonlert Jitmaneeroj, 2021. "Fund Ratings of Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) Funds: A Precautionary Note," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-25, July.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Mutual fund rating; Conflicts of interest; Trading commission payment; Rating qualification;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G24 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Investment Banking; Venture Capital; Brokerage
    • G28 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Government Policy and Regulation

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