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Rating-Based Investment Practices and Bond Market Segmentation

Author

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  • Zhihua Chen
  • Aziz A. Lookman
  • Norman Schürhoff
  • Duane J. Seppi

Abstract

This paper documents a new channel for rating-based bond market segmentation, which, in contrast to prior research, is based on nonregulatory investment management practices. A 2005 Lehman Brothers index redefinition provides a quasinatural experiment in which a number of previously high-yield split-rated bonds were mechanically relabeled as investment grade. Although their regulatory standing was unaffected, these bonds had abnormal yield declines of 21 basis points. These valuation changes can be traced to buying by asset-class-sensitive institutional investors for whom these bonds became investable. Reputation, regulation, indexation, and liquidity cannot explain the observed price and trading patterns.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhihua Chen & Aziz A. Lookman & Norman Schürhoff & Duane J. Seppi, 2014. "Rating-Based Investment Practices and Bond Market Segmentation," The Review of Asset Pricing Studies, Society for Financial Studies, vol. 4(2), pages 162-205.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:rasset:v:4:y:2014:i:2:p:162-205.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/rapstu/rau005
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    3. Igor Cunha & Miguel A Ferreira & Rui C Silva, 2022. "Do Credit Rating Agencies Influence Elections? [The economic effects of public financing: evidence from municipal bond ratings recalibration]," Review of Finance, European Finance Association, vol. 26(4), pages 937-969.
    4. Antje Berndt & Rohan Douglas & Darrell Duffie & Mark Ferguson, 2018. "Corporate Credit Risk Premia [Fallen angels and price pressure]," Review of Finance, European Finance Association, vol. 22(2), pages 419-454.
    5. Abad, Pilar & Ferreras, Rodrigo & Robles, M-Dolores, 2019. "Informational role of rating revisions after reputational events and regulation reforms," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 91-103.
    6. Jess N. Cornaggia & Kimberly J. Cornaggia & John E. Hund, 2017. "Credit Ratings Across Asset Classes: A Long-Term Perspective," Review of Finance, European Finance Association, vol. 21(2), pages 465-509.
    7. Larcker, David F. & Watts, Edward M., 2020. "Where's the greenium?," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 69(2).
    8. Abad, Pilar & Díaz, Antonio & Escribano, Ana & Robles, M.-Dolores, 2021. "Crossing boundaries beyond the investment grade: Induced trading by rating-contingent investment constraints," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).
    9. Díaz, Antonio & Escribano, Ana, 2022. "Liquidity dimensions in the U.S. corporate bond market," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 1163-1179.
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    11. Manuel Adelino & Igor Cunha & Miguel A. Ferreira, 2017. "The Economic Effects of Public Financing: Evidence from Municipal Bond Ratings Recalibration," The Review of Financial Studies, Society for Financial Studies, vol. 30(9), pages 3223-3268.
    12. Maul, D. & Schiereck, D., 2017. "The bond event study methodology since 1974," Publications of Darmstadt Technical University, Institute for Business Studies (BWL) 80723, Darmstadt Technical University, Department of Business Administration, Economics and Law, Institute for Business Studies (BWL).
    13. Bonsall, Samuel B. & Gillette, Jacquelyn R. & Pundrich, Gabriel & So, Eric, 2024. "Conflicts of interest in subscriber-paid credit ratings," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 77(1).
    14. Friewald, Nils & Nagler, Florian, 2018. "Over-the-Counter Market Frictions and Yield Spread Changes," CEPR Discussion Papers 13345, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    15. van Zundert, Jeroen, 2018. "Empirical studies on the cross-section of corporate bond and stock markets," Other publications TiSEM 338205fc-a031-4e06-a636-9, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    16. Valentina Bruno & Jess Cornaggia & Kimberly J. Cornaggia, 2016. "Does Regulatory Certification Affect the Information Content of Credit Ratings?," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 62(6), pages 1578-1597, June.
    17. Pegoraro, Stefano & Montagna, Mattia, 2021. "Issuance and valuation of corporate bonds with quantitative easing," Working Paper Series 2520, European Central Bank.
    18. Ferreira, Miguel & Silva, Rui & Cunha, Igor, 2017. "Can Credit Rating Agencies Affect Election Outcomes?," CEPR Discussion Papers 12430, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    19. Robert L. McDonald & Thomas A. Rietz, 2018. "Ratings and Asset Allocation: An Experimental Analysis," NBER Working Papers 25046, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    20. Antje Berndt & Rohan Douglas & Darrell Duffie & Mark Ferguson, 2018. "Corporate Credit Risk Premia [Fallen angels and price pressure]," Review of Finance, European Finance Association, vol. 22(2), pages 419-454.
    21. Dang, Thuy Duong & Hollstein, Fabian & Prokopczuk, Marcel, 2022. "How do corporate bond investors measure performance? Evidence from mutual fund flows," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 142(C).
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    24. Kim, Seonhyeon & Thompson, Ephraim Kwashie & Kim, Changki, 2023. "Credit rating and managerial behavior in investment decision making: Evidence from the Korean market," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Finance, Elsevier, vol. 37(C).

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    JEL classification:

    • 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

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