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Uncertain tone, asset volatility and credit default swap spreads

Author

Listed:
  • Doshi, Hitesh
  • Patel, Saurin
  • Ramani, Srikanth
  • Sooy, Matthew

Abstract

We examine the relationship between uncertain linguistic tone and credit default swap (CDS) spreads. Using an event study approach, we first show that uncertain linguistic tone in 10-Q/K filings is positively associated with CDS spread changes incremental to positive and negative tone and incremental to the response implied by equity market reactions to the same information. We further demonstrate that the relationship of uncertain tone to CDS spreads manifests largely through its impact on asset volatility. We show that this effect is driven by firms with high leverage and is stronger among firms with shorter relative to longer maturities. Our findings contribute to growing research into credit market reactions to non-quantitative information by demonstrating a positive relationship between credit market responses and uncertainty disclosure language, and that this relationship is mediated by investors’ implied asset volatility estimates.

Suggested Citation

  • Doshi, Hitesh & Patel, Saurin & Ramani, Srikanth & Sooy, Matthew, 2023. "Uncertain tone, asset volatility and credit default swap spreads," Journal of Contemporary Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 19(3).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:jocaae:v:19:y:2023:i:3:s1815566923000309
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jcae.2023.100380
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Textual Analysis; Default Risk; Uncertainty; Tone; Accounting Disclosure;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D81 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Criteria for Decision-Making under Risk and Uncertainty
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • G12 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Asset Pricing; Trading Volume; Bond Interest Rates
    • G14 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Information and Market Efficiency; Event Studies; Insider Trading
    • M41 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - Accounting

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