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What drives differences of opinion in sovereign ratings? The roles of information disclosure and political risk

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  • Huong Vu
  • Rasha Alsakka
  • Owain Gwilym

Abstract

This paper investigates the causes of split sovereign ratings across S&P, Moody's, and Fitch for 64 countries from 1997 to 2011. We identify that split sovereign ratings are not symmetric, with S&P tending to be the most conservative agency. We find that opaque sovereigns are more likely to receive split ratings. Political risk plays a highly significant role in explaining split ratings and dominates economic and financial indicators. Out‐of‐sample model performance is enhanced by capturing political risk. Government information disclosure affects split ratings between Moody's and Fitch in emerging countries. The study implies an incentive for governments to reduce political uncertainty and to enhance transparency.

Suggested Citation

  • Huong Vu & Rasha Alsakka & Owain Gwilym, 2017. "What drives differences of opinion in sovereign ratings? The roles of information disclosure and political risk," International Journal of Finance & Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 22(3), pages 216-233, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:ijfiec:v:22:y:2017:i:3:p:216-233
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    Cited by:

    1. 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).
    2. Afonso, António & Tovar Jalles, João & Venâncio, Ana, 2022. "Do financial markets reward government spending efficiency?," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).
    3. Kang, Helen & Gray, Sidney J., 2019. "Country-specific risks and geographic disclosure aggregation: Voluntary disclosure behaviour by British multinationals," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 51(3), pages 259-276.
    4. Abad, Pilar & Alsakka, Rasha & ap Gwilym, Owain, 2018. "The influence of rating levels and rating convergence on the spillover effects of sovereign credit actions," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 40-57.
    5. Nguyen, Phuc Lam Thy & Alsakka, Rasha & Mantovan, Noemi, 2023. "The impact of sovereign credit ratings on voters’ preferences," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
    6. Yingting Yi & Jiangshui Luo & Michael Wübbenhorst, 2020. "Research on political instability, uncertainty and risk during 1953–2019: a scientometric review," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 123(2), pages 1051-1076, May.
    7. Kraemer, Moritz & Klusak, Patrycja & Vu, Huong, 2020. "First-mover disadvantage - The sovereign ratings mousetrap," CEPS Papers 26352, Centre for European Policy Studies.
    8. Xu Gong & Boqiang Lin, 2022. "Predicting the volatility of crude oil futures: The roles of leverage effects and structural changes," International Journal of Finance & Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 27(1), pages 610-640, January.

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