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Does competition affect ratings quality? Evidence from Canadian corporate bonds

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  • Bae, Kee-Hong
  • Driss, Hamdi
  • Roberts, Gordon S.

Abstract

This paper investigates the effect of competition among credit rating agencies on ratings quality. Specifically, we study how the ratings quality of a small local rating agency (DBRS) responds to competition from a large global rating agency (S&P) in rating Canadian corporate bonds. We find that DBRS's ratings become more favorable and less informative about the credit quality of Canadian bonds in response to increased competition from S&P. Our evidence supports the view that reputation concerns are not an effective disciplinary mechanism for small rating agencies facing competitive pressure from their larger peers.

Suggested Citation

  • Bae, Kee-Hong & Driss, Hamdi & Roberts, Gordon S., 2019. "Does competition affect ratings quality? Evidence from Canadian corporate bonds," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 605-623.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:corfin:v:58:y:2019:i:c:p:605-623
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2019.07.009
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    Cited by:

    1. Attig, Najah & Driss, Hamdi & El Ghoul, Sadok, 2021. "Credit ratings quality in uncertain times," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
    2. van Breemen, Vivian M. & Fabozzi, Frank J. & Vink, Dennis, 2022. "Intensified competition and the impact on credit ratings in the RMBS market," Working Paper Series 2691, European Central Bank.
    3. Attig, Najah & Driss, Hamdi & El Ghoul, Sadok, 2020. "Rating standards around the world: A puzzle?," Emerging Markets Review, Elsevier, vol. 45(C).
    4. Agoraki, Maria-Eleni & Gounopoulos, Dimitrios & Kouretas, Georgios P., 2021. "Market expectations and the impact of credit rating on the IPOs of U.S. banks," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 189(C), pages 587-610.
    5. Vu, Huong & Alsakka, Rasha & ap Gwilym, Owain, 2022. "Does competition improve sovereign credit rating quality?," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).
    6. Xiangyun Zhou, 2021. "Can the dual-rating regulation improve the rating quality of Chinese corporate bonds?," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(12), pages 1-15, December.
    7. Xing Liu & Lingxuan Yang & Yu Liu, 2023. "Does reputation matter? Evidence on spatial competition in China's bond market," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 63(S1), pages 1533-1570, April.
    8. Chandan Sharma & Archana Singh & Rajan Yadav, 2023. "Impact of Competition in Credit Rating Industry: Evidence From India," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(1), pages 21582440221, January.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Credit rating; Competition; Ratings inflation; Canadian rating agency;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D43 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - Oligopoly and Other Forms of Market Imperfection
    • G24 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Investment Banking; Venture Capital; Brokerage
    • G28 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Government Policy and Regulation
    • L14 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Transactional Relationships; Contracts and Reputation
    • L15 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Information and Product Quality

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