Analyst consensus revisions and credit rating actions

Li Yao, Purdue University

Abstract

I study the association between revisions in analysts’ consensus earnings forecasts and credit rating actions. Controlling for other information in the market, downwardly (upwardly) revised analyst consensus is associated with a higher likelihood of credit rating downgrades (upgrades) relative to rating affirmations; this association robustly exists in firms whose ex ante credit ratings are investment-grade. Rating actions are at best weakly associated, economically and statistically, with subsequent revisions in analyst consensus. The incremental relevance of analyst consensus revisions with respect to rating actions increases, especially in the case of impending rating downgrades, when firms voluntarily facilitate a more transparent information environment. Intertemporal evidence casts doubt on the view that credit rating agencies possess an informational advantage after Reg FD, but this evidence also provides some support to the argument that in recent years, credit rating agencies may have improved their credit analyses.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Watts, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Accounting

COinS