Does It Really Hurt? An Empirical Investigation of the
Effects of Downgradings and Negative Watches on
European Bond Spreads

Abstract

Who feels the most pain when credit rating agencies announce a downgrading or negative watch? Does it hurt more or less, depending on the issuer’s original rating, the currency of the issue, or the economic activity of the issuer? Thanks to an alternative methodology, not relying on CARs but on Perron’s structural break test, this article aims to highlight the effect of the rating actions of the three main agencies (Moody’s, Standard and Poor’s, and Fitch Ratings) on European bond markets. A logit model is used to sort out the variables influencing the probability of reaction to a rating action. The authors then measure the magnitude of the reaction according to the significant variables. And they find, in many cases, it does not hurt at all!