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Credit Rating Agencies, Information Asymmetry and US Bond Liquidity

Author

Listed:
  • Stefano Lovo

    (HEC Paris - Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales)

  • Philippe Raimbourg

    (UP1 - Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, PRISM Sorbonne - Pôle de recherche interdisciplinaire en sciences du management - UP1 - Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne)

  • Federica Salvadè

    (PSB - Paris School of Business - HESAM - HESAM Université - Communauté d'universités et d'établissements Hautes écoles Sorbonne Arts et métiers université)

Abstract

Do rating announcements reduce information asymmetries? We investigate the effect of rating disclosures on the volatility and liquidity of the US bond market. Although rating agencies' decisions often are anticipated by credit spread changes, we show that in the case of no regulatory change their release can reduce volatility and the bid-ask spread. This reduction is stronger when the rating agency announcement has been anticipated by the market, namely, after downgrades, whereas upgrades trigger mixed reaction. These findings are consistent with the predictions of a simple sequential trade model with event uncertainty, and noise and informed traders.

Suggested Citation

  • Stefano Lovo & Philippe Raimbourg & Federica Salvadè, 2022. "Credit Rating Agencies, Information Asymmetry and US Bond Liquidity," Working Papers hal-03890565, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:wpaper:hal-03890565
    DOI: 10.2139/ssrn.4056558
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