The Ratings Game

Andrew Fight (Author)

9780471491347, Wiley

Hardback, published 24 November 2000

283 pages
23.8 x 15.8 x 2.3 cm, 0.567 kg

"The book deals admirably with these problems, explaining thedebates involved and detailing ratings companies' excuses with theright level of cynicism." (Investment Adviser, 19th February2001)

"...This is a comprehensive guide to ratings agencies."(Portfolio International, February 2001)

What are credit rating agencies? Many people paying for ratings andratings reports do not fully understand what they are buying andhow these agencies really work. Ratings agencies wield immensepower over the fate of individual corporations, countries, andwhole economies, yet their workings are remarkably opaque. Manyevents over the past decade, such as the Asian crisis and thedemise of certain financial institutions have highlighted some ofthe limitations of ratings agencies, and raised questions as totheir accountability and the level of service they provide.
In this comprehensive account of the workings of the ratingagencies,Andrew Fight explains the role played by ratings agencies,how ratings are obtained, the methodologies through whichorganisations are assessed and the wider consequences of thesedecisions.

Preface.

The World of Ratings.

The Rating Agencies.

Methodologies and Characteristics.

Rating Agencies in the Economic Environment.

Quis Custodiet Ipsos Custodes.

The Future.

Glossary.

Sources.

Index.

Subject Areas: Finance & accounting [KF]