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Stock price reactions to ESG news: the role of ESG ratings and disagreement

Author

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  • George Serafeim

    (Harvard Business School)

  • Aaron Yoon

    (Northwestern University)

Abstract

We investigate whether environmental, social, and governance (ESG) ratings predict future ESG news and the associated market reactions. We find that the consensus rating predicts future news, but its predictive ability diminishes for firms with large disagreement between raters. The relation between news and market reaction is moderated by the consensus rating. In the presence of high disagreement between raters, the relation between news and market reactions weakens, while the rating with the most predictive power predicts future stock returns. Overall, while rating disagreement hinders the incorporation of value-relevant ESG news into prices, ratings predict future news and proxy for market expectations of future news.

Suggested Citation

  • George Serafeim & Aaron Yoon, 2023. "Stock price reactions to ESG news: the role of ESG ratings and disagreement," Review of Accounting Studies, Springer, vol. 28(3), pages 1500-1530, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:reaccs:v:28:y:2023:i:3:d:10.1007_s11142-022-09675-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s11142-022-09675-3
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    Cited by:

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    2. Jian Zhou & Xiaodong Lei & Jianglong Yu, 2024. "ESG rating divergence and corporate green innovation," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(4), pages 2911-2930, May.
    3. Huang, Kuo-Jui & Bui, Dien Giau & Hsu, Yuan-Teng & Lin, Chih-Yung, 2024. "The ESG washing in banks: Evidence from the syndicated loan market," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 142(C).
    4. Li, Li & Zhang, Du & Li, Rongrong, 2024. "ESG rating disagreement and corporate innovation: Evidence from China," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 62(PA).
    5. Sudha Mathew & Sheeja Sivaprasad, 2024. "An empirical analysis of corporate sustainability bonds," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(4), pages 3299-3316, May.
    6. Yuan, Mingqing, 2024. "Beyond green bonds: Stock market reactions to ESG bond announcements and issuances in Japan," MPRA Paper 120943, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    7. Guo, Kun & Bian, Yuan & Zhang, Dayong & Ji, Qiang, 2024. "ESG performance and corporate external financing in China: The role of rating disagreement," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 69(C).
    8. Michele Azzone & Emilio Barucci & Davide Stocco, 2024. "Asset management with an ESG mandate," Papers 2403.11622, arXiv.org.
    9. Achilles, Catrina & Limbach, Peter & Wolff, Michael & Yoon, Aaron, 2024. "Inside the blackbox of firm environmental efforts: Evidence from emissions reduction initiatives," CFR Working Papers 24-05, University of Cologne, Centre for Financial Research (CFR).
    10. Xing Zhang & Mingcan Ji & Shujuan Wang, 2024. "Can Environmental, Social, and Governance Ratings Promote Green Innovation in Chinese Heavy Polluters? Perspectives from “Greening” Behaviors," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-23, March.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Market reaction; ESG rating; Ratings disagreement; ESG news;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G14 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Information and Market Efficiency; Event Studies; Insider Trading
    • M14 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Corporate Culture; Diversity; Social Responsibility
    • M41 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - Accounting

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