S&P Global Plans Custom Credit-Ratings Scale for China

(Bloomberg) -- S&P Global Ratings is studying a credit-ratings scale tailored for China as part of its application to secure a license to rate bonds in the country, according to a document on its website.

The New York-based firm is developing a special ratings system and methodology given the size and diversification of China’s domestic bond market, S&P said in the posting. Moody’s Investors Service has also applied for a license in China, according to a document on its website, which made no mention of using a unique ratings scale for China.

China opened the door for international ratings companies last year as a way to speed up reform and foster competition. S&P and Moody’s both set up wholly-owned units in China in June.

Fitch Ratings is also in the process of applying for a license to operate independently there and will ensure that it keep its standards consistent with international best practice, a spokesperson said this week.

S&P and Moody’s have applied to rate financial, non-financial, structured and panda bonds, according to their application documents.

The Wall Street Journal reported on S&P’s plan earlier.

--With assistance from Narae Kim and Tongjian Dong.

To contact Bloomberg News staff for this story: Lianting Tu in Hong Kong at ltu4@bloomberg.net;Jing Zhao in Beijing at jzhao231@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Neha D'silva at ndsilva1@bloomberg.net, Chan Tien Hin, Finbarr Flynn

©2018 Bloomberg L.P.

With assistance from Editorial Board