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The Information Content of Ratings: An Analysis of Australian Credit Default Swap Spreads

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  • Jue Wang
  • Jiri Svec
  • Maurice Peat

Abstract

type="main"> We examine the information content of Australian credit rating announcements by measuring the abnormal changes in credit default swap (CDS) spreads. CDS spreads provide a direct view of credit quality and thus should impound information quickly when investors receive new credit risk related information via a rating event. Using an event study methodology, we show that watch downs and rating upgrades contain valuable information even after controlling for sources of contamination. We find that watch downs elicit statistically significant market reactions, while subsequent downgrades are anticipated. Upgrades are associated with a significant but small abnormal reduction in CDS spreads, whereas watch ups appear to contain no new information.

Suggested Citation

  • Jue Wang & Jiri Svec & Maurice Peat, 2014. "The Information Content of Ratings: An Analysis of Australian Credit Default Swap Spreads," Abacus, Accounting Foundation, University of Sydney, vol. 50(1), pages 56-75, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:abacus:v:50:y:2014:i:1:p:56-75
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Robert W Faff & Stephen Gray & Kelvin Jui Keng Tan, 2016. "A contemporary view of corporate finance theory, empirical evidence and practice," Australian Journal of Management, Australian School of Business, vol. 41(4), pages 662-686, November.
    4. Pervaiz Alam & Xiaoling Pu & Barry Hettler & Hai Lin, 2020. "The pricing of accruals quality in credit default swap spreads," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 60(3), pages 1943-1977, September.
    5. Gerald J. Lobo & Luc Paugam & Hervé Stolowy & Pierre Astolfi, 2017. "The Effect of Business and Financial Market Cycles on Credit Ratings: Evidence from the Last Two Decades," Abacus, Accounting Foundation, University of Sydney, vol. 53(1), pages 59-93, March.
    6. Roshanthi Dias, 2017. "The role of managerial risk-taking in the ‘rise and fall’ of the CDS market," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 57, pages 117-145, April.
    7. Barakat, Ahmed & Ashby, Simon & Fenn, Paul, 2018. "The reputational effects of analysts' stock recommendations and credit ratings: Evidence from operational risk announcements in the financial industry," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 1-22.

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