Does competition improve sovereign credit rating quality?  

Huong Vu, Rasha Alsakka*, Owain ap Gwilym

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The market for sovereign ratings has been dominated by two agencies but credible new entrants have emerged. Decreasing market concentration has potentially significant implications for the quality of sovereign ratings. Using a global dataset from S&P, Moody’s, Fitch and DBRS for 2000-2016, we find that S&P and Moody’s ratings are higher (lower) in periods following increases in Fitch (DBRS) market share. Evidence suggests that DBRS employs a relatively lenient rating policy to proceed in this market but increased regulatory pressure on rating agencies weakens any tendency to inflate ratings to gain market share. We also find that sovereign rating strategies vary across the economic cycle. Our findings offer wide-ranging implications for market participants, policy makers and the rating industry.
Original languageEnglish
Article number101478
Number of pages19
JournalJournal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money
Volume76
Early online date6 Dec 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022

Keywords

  • Sovereign rating quality
  • competition
  • catering
  • reputation

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