Sovereign Credit Rating Mismatches

We study the factors behind ratings mismatches in sovereign credit ratings from different agencies, for the period 1980‑‑2015. Using random effects ordered and simple probit approaches, we find that structural balances and the existence of a default in the last ten years were the least significant v...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: António Afonso, André Albuquerque
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Coimbra University Press 2018-07-01
Series:Notas Económicas
Subjects:
Online Access:https://impactum-journals.uc.pt/notaseconomicas/article/view/5961
Description
Summary:We study the factors behind ratings mismatches in sovereign credit ratings from different agencies, for the period 1980‑‑2015. Using random effects ordered and simple probit approaches, we find that structural balances and the existence of a default in the last ten years were the least significant variables. In addition, the level of net debt, budget balances, GDP per capita and the existence of a default in the last five years were found to be the most relevant variables for rating mismatches across agencies. For speculative‑‑grade ratings, a default in the last two or five years decreases the rating difference between S&P and Fitch. For the positive rating difference between S&P and Moody’s, and for investment‑‑grade ratings, an increase in external debt leads to a smaller rating gap between the two agencies.
ISSN:0872-4733
2183-203X