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What role does the investor-paid rating agency play in China? Competitor or information provider

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  • Huang, Yu-Li
  • Shen, Chung-Hua

Abstract

This paper investigates whether an investor-paid rating agency plays the role of a competitor or an information provider in China. We find that the incumbent issuer-paid rating agencies regard the investor-paid rating agency, the China Bond Rating Company, Ltd. (CBRC), as a competitor. They are more likely to downgrade or less likely to upgrade ratings when the CBRC also covers the issuer. Further, the information quality of the ratings improves for the issuers that CBRC also covers. We also find that the investor-paid agency plays the role of an information provider. CBRC's rating grades and their difference with issuer-paid rating agencies can explain bond yield spreads. We further find that the effects of the improvement in the quality of the information behind the ratings are consistent for CBRC's solicited and unsolicited ratings.

Suggested Citation

  • Huang, Yu-Li & Shen, Chung-Hua, 2019. "What role does the investor-paid rating agency play in China? Competitor or information provider," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 253-272.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:reveco:v:63:y:2019:i:c:p:253-272
    DOI: 10.1016/j.iref.2018.11.007
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    2. Liu, Xiaojian & Chong, Beng Soon & Feng, Xiaozhi, 2023. "Does the market differentiate between investor-paid and issuer-paid ratings in the pricing of asset-backed securities?," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    3. Ke Sun, 2022. "Do Rating Change Announcements Transfer Effective Information? Test on the Effectiveness and Sustainability of Credit Rating in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-15, October.
    4. Liu, Yan, 2023. "Essays on credit rating agencies in China," Other publications TiSEM b54b3315-1185-48b8-aaf8-8, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
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    7. 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; Issuer-paid rating agency; Investor-paid rating agency; Competition; Information provider;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G15 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - International Financial Markets
    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages

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