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Rating changes revisited: New evidence on short-term ESG momentum

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  • Cauthorn, Thomas
  • Dumrose, Maurice
  • Eckert, Julia
  • Klein, Christian
  • Zwergel, Bernhard

Abstract

Environmental, social and governance (ESG) ratings are mainstream in sustainable finance. This paper provides important evidence on the effects of ESG rating changes on companies’ stock performance. We contribute to the ESG rating change literature by replicating the calendar-time portfolio analysis for US stocks from Shanaev and Ghimire (2022), which found economically significant results. We find contradictory results, which are robust to the omnipresent rating heterogeneity problem. More precisely, we find that rating changes do not significantly affect stock performance in the short-term. Four methodological mistakes in the original study explain the differences in the results.

Suggested Citation

  • Cauthorn, Thomas & Dumrose, Maurice & Eckert, Julia & Klein, Christian & Zwergel, Bernhard, 2023. "Rating changes revisited: New evidence on short-term ESG momentum," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 54(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finlet:v:54:y:2023:i:c:s1544612323000776
    DOI: 10.1016/j.frl.2023.103703
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Xiao, Xiang & Ge, Ge & Yu, Ziqin, 2024. "Inhibition or inducement: ESG rating changes and earnings management – Based on the perspective of external supervision," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Calendar-time portfolio analysis; ESG rating; Portfolio management; Sustainable finance;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C18 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Methodolical Issues: General
    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions
    • G12 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Asset Pricing; Trading Volume; Bond Interest Rates
    • G23 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Non-bank Financial Institutions; Financial Instruments; Institutional Investors
    • G24 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Investment Banking; Venture Capital; Brokerage
    • M14 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Corporate Culture; Diversity; Social Responsibility

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