Bank Rating Changes and Bank Stock Returns—Puzzling Evidence from the Emerging Markets

Author/Editor:

Anthony J. Richards ; David Deddouche

Publication Date:

November 1, 1999

Electronic Access:

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Disclaimer: This Working Paper should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF.The views expressed in this Working Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy. Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to further debate

Summary:

This paper examines the performance of emerging market bank stocks around the time of rating changes by major international agencies. The data suggest that downgrades on average have followed periods of negative cumulative abnormal returns for banks, although upgrades have not followed periods of positive returns. More important, stock prices either do not respond to rating changes or respond in the opposite direction to what would be expected if announcements conveyed value-relevant information. The paper concludes that there are limits to the extent that supervisors in emerging markets can rely on market participants to monitor the safety and soundness of banks.

Series:

Working Paper No. 1999/151

Subject:

Asset prices Banking Bond ratings Emerging and frontier financial markets Financial institutions Financial markets Prices Stock markets Stocks

English

Publication Date:

November 1, 1999

ISBN/ISSN:

9781451857016/1018-5941

Stock No:

WPIEA1511999

Pages:

28

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