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The path to impairment: do credit-rating agencies anticipate default events of structured finance transactions?

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  • Matthias Bodenstedt
  • Daniel R�sch
  • Harald Scheule

Abstract

The global financial crisis (GFC) has led to a general discussion of the accuracy and declining standards of credit-rating agency ratings. Substantial criticism has been directed towards the securitisation market, which has been identified as one of the main sources of the crisis. This study focuses on the ability of rating agencies to adjust their ratings prior to impairments of structured finance transactions. We develop a new measure that quantifies a rating agency's performance in advance of defaults. By analysing a large number of impaired transactions rated by Moody's Investors Service, we find that rating quality deteriorated during the GFC. Furthermore, we identify tranche-specific and macroeconomic factors that explain differences in Moody's performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Matthias Bodenstedt & Daniel R�sch & Harald Scheule, 2013. "The path to impairment: do credit-rating agencies anticipate default events of structured finance transactions?," The European Journal of Finance, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 19(9), pages 841-860, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:eurjfi:v:19:y:2013:i:9:p:841-860
    DOI: 10.1080/1351847X.2011.636831
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    Cited by:

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    2. Guneren Genc, Elif & Deniz Basar, Ozlem, 2019. "Comparison of Country Ratings of Credit Rating Agencies with MOORA Method," Business and Economics Research Journal, Uludag University, Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, vol. 10(2), pages 391-404, April.

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