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Journal of Banking & Finance Vol. 34 No. 11 2010

Leads and lags in sovereign credit ratings

Rasha Alsakka1; Owain ap Gwilym

1 Bangor University

Abstract

This paper analyses lead–lag relationships in sovereign ratings across five agencies, and finds evidence of interdependence in rating actions. Upgrade (downgrade) probabilities are much higher, and downgrade (upgrade) probabilities are much lower for a sovereign issuer with a recent upgrade (downgrade) by another agency. S&P tends to demonstrate the least dependence on other agencies, and Moody’s tends to be the first mover in upgrades. Rating actions by Japanese agencies tend to lag those of the larger agencies, although there is some evidence that they lead Moody’s downgrades.

DOI
10.1016/j.jbankfin.2010.05.001
Volume
34
Issue
11
Pages
2614-2626
Language
en
Sources
openalex crossref bibtex:phds-export.bib

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