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Credit agency regulation and the impact of credit ratings in the international bond market

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  • David Brookfield
  • Phillip Ormrod

Abstract

The use of credit ratings in financial and other legal documents — both in the USA and Europe —, has led to a situation in which the major rating agencies have become (largely unwilling) participants in the legislative process. This situation has become partly formalized in the US (and is being repeated elsewhere in the European Union, Eastern Europe and Latin America) through the creation of officially 'recognized' agencies whose ratings now carry the imprimatur of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the debate on the necessity for formal legal status to be sustained in the market for bond credit ratings. In this context, the criteria for a credible rating agency are examined and evidence is provided on one element of the criteria which is under-researched: namely, the impact of the ratings in the market place. The influence of rating agencies in international capital markets is assessed through an analysis of the impact of ratings on the yields of bonds, represented by a comprehensive sample of actively traded debt. The sample contains analysis of ratings introductions on both new and seasoned debt and also examines the impact of ratings revisions. It is concluded that official recognition has no market-based role and it is argued that ratings are used by regulators because of the success of the major agencies in performing their market function.

Suggested Citation

  • David Brookfield & Phillip Ormrod, 2000. "Credit agency regulation and the impact of credit ratings in the international bond market," The European Journal of Finance, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 6(4), pages 311-331.
  • Handle: RePEc:taf:eurjfi:v:6:y:2000:i:4:p:311-331
    DOI: 10.1080/13518470050195092
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. A. Seetharaman & Vikas Kumar Sahu & A. S. Saravanan & John Rudolph Raj & Indu Niranjan, 2017. "The Impact of Risk Management in Credit Rating Agencies," Risks, MDPI, vol. 5(4), pages 1-16, September.
    2. Fayez Elayan & Wei Hsu & Thomas Meyer, 2003. "The informational content of credit rating announcements for share prices in a small market," Journal of Economics and Finance, Springer;Academy of Economics and Finance, vol. 27(3), pages 337-356, September.
    3. Clark, Ephraim & Lakshmi, Geeta, 2007. "Assymetric information and the pricing of sovereign eurobonds: India 1990-1992," Global Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 18(1), pages 124-142.
    4. Duff, Angus & Einig, Sandra, 2009. "Credit ratings quality: The perceptions of market participants and other interested parties," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 41(3), pages 141-153.
    5. Dimitar Rafailov, 2020. "Regulation of Credit Rating Agencies - Different Views and Solutions," Izvestia Journal of the Union of Scientists - Varna. Economic Sciences Series, Union of Scientists - Varna, Economic Sciences Section, vol. 9(2), pages 13-22, August.

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