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Rating Shopping and Rating Inflation: Empirical Evidence from Israel

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  • Inna Bakalyar

    (Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Department of Economics, P.O. Box 65, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel)

  • Koresh Galil

    (Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Department of Economics, P.O. Box 65,Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel)

Abstract

The collapse of structured bond ratings during the 2007-2008 financial crisis called attention to the possibility of rating inflation due to lowered rating standards and rating shopping. Nevertheless, little empirical evidence has been offered for this prospect. The Israeli corporate credit rating market serves as solid ground for investigating this matter. In this study, we use data on corporate bond ratings assigned by two local rating agencies affiliated with S&P and Moody’s during the period 2004-2009. We show that while one agency (Midroog) systematically assigned higher ratings, the ratings of the other agency (S&P-Maalot) were inflated due to rating shopping. These conclusions are based on several findings: the presence of selection bias in dual ratings, the superior accounting features of firms rated by S&P-Maalot relative to those similarly rated by Midroog, and the greater tendency of single ratings by S&P-Maalot to be downgraded. We confirm the predictions of recent theoretical studies that rating inflation may occur even when the value of the rating agencies derives from their reputation.

Suggested Citation

  • Inna Bakalyar & Koresh Galil, 2011. "Rating Shopping and Rating Inflation: Empirical Evidence from Israel," Working Papers 1102, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:bgu:wpaper:1102
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Efraim Benmelech & Jennifer Dlugosz, 2010. "The Credit Rating Crisis," NBER Chapters, in: NBER Macroeconomics Annual 2009, Volume 24, pages 161-207, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    2. Norden, Lars & Weber, Martin, 2004. "Informational efficiency of credit default swap and stock markets: The impact of credit rating announcements," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 28(11), pages 2813-2843, November.
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