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I am looking to model the probability of a single issuer upgrading or downgrading it's credit rating at some time using historical data. I have done research and everything I have found so far are for multiple issuers. I am very very new to quant finance, but have a PhD background in mathematical physics so I am familiar with most of the simulation and modelling techniques used in this field. I feel like this can be modeled via Monte Carlo or Random Trees. Can someone refer me to any models for single issuer credit rating upgrading or downgrading?

Thank you!

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traditional credit rating uses a set of macro and micro factors (country of incorporation political stability, economy, etc. ) and assigns subratings via a set a scorecards, based on the company's specifics, the final rating being an analyst consensus and essentially an aggregation of the subratings.

this is updated when some inputs change (e.g. new annual statement), analysts meet and discuss. c.f. Moody's methodology papers here, note each methodology paper is slightly different, by industry type, etc.

now, quantitatively, the traditional approach is to model the 'distance to default' as the difference between assets and liabilities (based on if liabilities > assets, the company will default), and asset volatility (typically mapped from equity vol for publicly traded firms), then map that to a probability of default based on a database of historical defaults with the corresponding balance sheet metrics.

recommend the reading expected default frequency methodology summary

an additional note is that in practice at rating agencies and banks alike, pressing the trigger for a downgrade is much easier as soon as something is wrong. risk practitioners often praise being "conservative", and on the other hand, any upgrade has to be justified by several quarters/years of improved performance, hence much slower to actually happen.

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  • $\begingroup$ Thank you so much this is very helpful! $\endgroup$
    – MQuant
    Jul 13, 2020 at 13:43

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