ESG and corporate credit spreads

Barth F, Huebel B, Scholz H (2022)

Publication Language: English

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2022

Journal

The Journal of Risk Finance Emerald

Book Volume: 23

Pages Range: 169-190

Journal Issue: 2

URI: https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JRF-03-2021-0045

DOI: 10.1108/JRF-03-2021-0045

Abstract

Purpose The authors investigate the implications of environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices of firms for the pricing of their credit default swaps (CDS). In doing so, the authors compare European and US firms and consider nonlinear and indirect effects. This complements the previous literature focusing on linear and direct effects using bond yields and credit ratings of US firms. Design/methodology/approach For this purpose, the authors apply fixed effects regressions on a comprehensive panel data set of US and European firms. Further, nonlinear and indirect effects are investigated utilizing quantile regressions and a path analysis. Findings The evidence indicates that higher ESG ratings mitigate credit risks of US and European firms from 2007 to 2019. The risk mitigation effect is U-shaped across ESG quantiles, which is consistent with opposing effects of growing stakeholder influence capacity and diminishing marginal returns on ESG investments. The authors further reveal a mediating indirect volatility channel that substantially amplifies the direct effect of ESG on credit risk. A one-standard-deviation improvement in ESG ratings is estimated to reduce CDS spreads of low, medium and high ESG firms by approximately 4%, 8% and 3%, respectively. Originality/value This is the first study to examine whether credit markets reflect regional differences between Europe and the US with regard to the ESG-CDS-relationship. In addition, this paper contributes to the existing literature by investigating differences in the response of CDS spreads across ESG quantiles and to study potential indirect channels connecting ESG and CDS spreads using structural credit risk variables.

Authors with CRIS profile

Hendrik Scholz Lehrstuhl für Betriebswirtschaftslehre, insbesondere Finanzierung und Banken

Related research project(s)

None - None

Involved external institutions

HUK-COBURG Haftpflicht-Unterstützungs-Kasse kraftfahrender Beamter Deutschlands auf Gegenseitigkeit in Coburg a. G. DE Germany (DE) QPLIX GmbH DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Barth, F., Huebel, B., & Scholz, H. (2022). ESG and corporate credit spreads. The Journal of Risk Finance, 23(2), 169-190. https://dx.doi.org/10.1108/JRF-03-2021-0045

MLA:

Barth, Florian, Benjamin Huebel, and Hendrik Scholz. "ESG and corporate credit spreads." The Journal of Risk Finance 23.2 (2022): 169-190.

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