Welcome to Francis Academic Press

Academic Journal of Business & Management, 2025, 7(6); doi: 10.25236/AJBM.2025.070606.

A Study on the Impact of Rating Divergence on Corporate Bond Yields —— Evidence from China's Capital Market

Author(s)

Chengrun Zhang

Corresponding Author:
Chengrun Zhang
Affiliation(s)

Business School, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China

Abstract

Does rating divergence impact corporate bond yields? This is a question worth exploring. Based on the bond data of 3,294 listed companies on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges from 2022 to 2024, this paper analyzes bonds of different risk levels. Using a two-sample t-test, it verifies whether rating divergence affects corporate bond yields and the extent of that impact. The study reveals that bonds with rating divergence have higher yields. Due to information asymmetry and lack of transparency, such bonds carry uncertainty and associated risks. Investors demand extra compensation for the risks arising from rating divergence. It’s also found that the degree of rating divergence impacts bond yields and is positively correlated with them. In other words, the greater the divergence, the higher the yields. By clarifying the relationship between rating divergence and bond yields, the study stresses the importance of properly addressing divergent bonds and credit rating consistency. It offers vital insights for bond issuers, investors, and the entire capital market. Additionally, it helps enhance the transparency of corporate bond markets and provides significant reference value for intended users of related information.

Keywords

Rating Divergence; Credit Rating Agency (CRA); Bond Yield; Capital Market

Cite This Paper

Chengrun Zhang. A Study on the Impact of Rating Divergence on Corporate Bond Yields —— Evidence from China's Capital Market. Academic Journal of Business & Management (2025), Vol. 7, Issue 6: 37-44. https://doi.org/10.25236/AJBM.2025.070606.

References

[1] Baker, H. K., & Mansi, S. A. (2002). Assessing Credit Rating Agencies by Bond Issuers and Institutional Investors. Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, 29(9–10), 1367–1398. 

[2] Dimitrov, V., Palia, D., & Tang, L. (2015). Impact of the Dodd-Frank Act on Credit Ratings. Journal of Financial Economics, 115(3), 505–520. 

[3] Kladakis, G., Chen, L., & Bellos, S. K. (2020). Bank Asset and Informational Quality. Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, 69, 101256. 

[4] Zhang, C., Liu, D., & Chen, X. (2020). Can Disclosing Green Information Reduce the Financing Cost of Green Corporate Bonds? ——Considering the Moderating Effect of Property Rights Nature. Financial and Accounting Monthly, (12), 93-99.  

[5] Yan, W., Zhao, Y., & Meng, D. (2023). The Impact of ESG Ratings on the Financial Performance of Listed Companies. Journal of Nanjing Audit University, 20(06), 71-80.  

[6] Zhang, Z., & Zhou, C. (2022). Do Credit Rating Agencies Have the Ability to Mine Forward-Looking Information? Journal of Finance and Economics, (03), 16-28.  

[7] Wang, R., Wang, W., & Song, S. (2025). ESG Rating Discrepancy and Corporate Financing Constraints ——Impact Effects, Transmission Channels, and Heterogeneous Characteristics. Journal of Finance (Journal of Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics), (05), 55-66. 

[8] Chen, S., Guo, W., & Li, H. (2025). The Impact of ESG Rating Discrepancy on Corporate Green Technological Innovation. Journal of Xi'an University of Finance and Economics, 1-15. 

[9] Wu, M., & Lv, X. (2025). An Empirical Study on the Impact of Credit Ratings on Financing Costs of Corporate Bonds of Different Sizes. Commercial Exhibition Economy, (09), 143-146.