Since they were introduced in the early 1900’s, sovereign credit ratings have had a turbulent history. Moody’s and other ratings agencies were taken by surprise after the Great Depression caused 21 out of 58 nations to default on their international bonds between 1930 and 1935. From 1960 to 2020, 147 governments have defaulted at least once on their domestic or foreign currency debt. In this article, we will take a look at where to find sovereign ratings, how they’re calculated, and the effects these ratings have on international investments.
Where to Find Sovereign Ratings
The most significant sovereign ratings are published by the three major credit rating agencies - Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s and Fitch. While there are also a number of smaller boutiques that offer ratings, these three agencies have the most influence over market decision makers. Investors can find sovereign ratings from these three ratings agencies on their websites. The three most popular sovereign ratings firms include:
Standard & Poor’s Sovereign Ratings Moody’s Investor Services Sovereign Ratings Fitch Ratings Sovereign Ratings
Other less popular sovereign ratings firms include:
Dagong Global Credit Ratings Co., Ltd. AM Best Ratings Euler Hermes Country Risk Ratings
How Sovereign Ratings are Calculated
Ratings agencies use a variety of quantitative and qualitative methods to calculate sovereign ratings. But in a 1996 paper entitled “Determinants and Impact of Sovereign Credit Ratings,” Richard Cantor and Frank Packer used a regression analysis to narrow the process down to six critical factors that explain more than 90% of the variation in credit ratings.
The Effects of Sovereign Ratings
Sovereign ratings have many effects on countries around the world. Several studies have shown that better sovereign ratings are associated with lower credit spreads. In turn, these lower spreads equate to lower financing costs for countries issuing bonds. Cantor and Packer estimated in the aforementioned report that a single notch downgrade can raise these spreads by as much as 25%. The effects of these higher spreads and financing costs can include:
Inflation Risk: Central banks that print more currency to cover current and future debts risk causing inflation, which itself can lead to a number of economic problems.Political Instability: Countries that are unwilling or unable to print more currency may undergo austerity measures to cut their costs, which can result in civil unrest.Fewer Options: Central banks facing high borrowing costs may not find it as economical to provide stimulus packages or other growth incentives during difficult times.
However, other researchers remain skeptical. A study by Martín González Rozada and Eduardo Levy Yeyati, entitled “Global Factors and Emerging Market Spreads,” found that sovereign ratings reflect the changes in spreads instead of anticipating them. But in either case, sovereign ratings represent a useful tool for international investors to determine a country’s investment quality.
Key Takeaway Points
Sovereign credit ratings have become increasingly popular as countries seek to tap the bond markets and investors look for opportunities.These ratings are calculated by companies like Standard and Poor’s or Moody’s based on a number of different criteria.Better sovereign ratings can reduce inflation risk, ensure political stability, and make it cheaper to borrow money when needed
