Güttler, André and Peter Raupach, "The Impact of Downward Rating Momentum", Journal of Financial Services Research, Vol. 37, No. 1, (February 2010), pp. 1-23.

Abstract: Rating downgrades are known to make subsequent downgrades more likely. We analyze the impact of this "downward momentum" on credit portfolio risk and bond portfolio management. Using Standard&Poor's ratings from 1996 to 2005, we apply a novel approach to estimate a transition matrix that is sensitive to previous downgrades and contrast it with an insensitive benchmark matrix. First, we find that, under representative economic conditions, investors who rely on insensitive transition matrices underestimate the momentum-sensitive Value-at-Risk (VaR), on average, by 107 basis points. Second, we show that bond portfolio managers should use our downgrade-sensitive probabilities of default as they seem to be better calibrated than momentum-insensitive estimates.

JEL Classification: C41, G24, G32.

Keywords: Rating drift, Downward momentum, Credit portfolio risk, Value-at-Risk, Bond portfolio management, Calibration

Previously titled: The Impact of Downward Rating Momentum on Credit Portfolio Risk

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