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The Determinants of Credit Ratings: Australian Evidence

Author

Listed:
  • Stephen Gray

    (UQ Business School, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072.)

  • Alexsander Mirkovic

    (UQ Business School, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072.)

  • Vanitha Ragunathan

    (UQ Business School, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072.)

Abstract

We examine the impact that various financial and industry variables have on credit ratings issued for Australian firms by Standard and Poor's. Our ordered probit model indicates that interest coverage and leverage ratios have the most pronounced effect on credit ratings. Profitability variables and industry concentration measures are also important. Financial variables are helpful in discriminating between A- and BBB-rated firms, but are less precise in separating AA- and A-rated firms. We also document a consistent trend towards lower ratings—the standard required to achieve a particular rating is increasing over time.

Suggested Citation

  • Stephen Gray & Alexsander Mirkovic & Vanitha Ragunathan, 2006. "The Determinants of Credit Ratings: Australian Evidence," Australian Journal of Management, Australian School of Business, vol. 31(2), pages 333-354, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ausman:v:31:y:2006:i:2:p:333-354
    DOI: 10.1177/031289620603100208
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    5. Marshall E. Blume & Felix Lim & A. Craig MacKinlay, "undated". "The Declining Credit Quality of US Corporate Debt: Myth or Reality?," Rodney L. White Center for Financial Research Working Papers 03-98, Wharton School Rodney L. White Center for Financial Research.
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    Cited by:

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    2. James A. C. Ryan & Matthew C. Ives & Ian M. Dunham, 2019. "The impact of cost of capital reductions on regulated water utilities in England and Wales: an analysis of isomorphism and stakeholder outcomes," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 23(1), pages 259-287, March.
    3. Muhammad Suhail Rizwan & Asifa Obaid & Dawood Ashraf, 2017. "The Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility on Default Risk: Empirical evidence from US Firms," Business & Economic Review, Institute of Management Sciences, Peshawar, Pakistan, vol. 9(3), pages 36-70, September.
    4. Azmat, Saad & Skully, Michael & Brown, Kym, 2017. "The (little) difference that makes all the difference between Islamic and conventional bonds," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 46-59.
    5. Montserrat Manzaneque-Lizano & Esteban Alfaro-Cortés & Alba María Priego de la Cruz, 2019. "Stakeholders and Long-Term Sustainability of SMEs. Who Really Matters in Crisis Contexts, and When," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(23), pages 1-27, November.
    6. Eleimon Gonis & Salima Paul & Jon Tucker, 2012. "Rating or no rating? That is the question: an empirical examination of UK companies," The European Journal of Finance, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 18(8), pages 709-735, September.
    7. Flávia Cruz de Souza Murcia & Fernando Dal-Ri Murcia & José Alonso Borba, 2013. "The Informational Content of Credit Ratings in Brazil: An Event Study," Brazilian Review of Finance, Brazilian Society of Finance, vol. 11(4), pages 503-526.
    8. Rubina Shaheen & Attiya Yasmin Javid, 2014. "Effect of Credit Rating on Firm Performance and Stock Return; Evidence form KSE Listed Firms," PIDE-Working Papers 2014:104, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics.
    9. 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.
    10. 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.
    11. Afef Feki Krichene & Walid Khoufi, 2016. "On the Nonlinearity of the Financial Ratios-Credit Ratings Relationship," Applied Finance and Accounting, Redfame publishing, vol. 2(2), pages 65-70, August.

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    Keywords

    CREDIT RATINGS; ORDERED PROBIT MODEL;

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