Survey: Most Investors Prefer Their Research To Rating Agencies

Three out of five investors say they view investment research they conduct themselves to be more valuable than that provided by rating agencies, a survey by the Bond Market Association and the Association of Corporate Treasurers has found. The survey of mainly U.K. investors and issuers found that rating agencies still have problems with inconsistent methodologies and process transparency. Two-thirds of issuers said lack of rating competition among rating agencies was a major concern. Moody's and Standard & Poor's were named the two top ratings agencies of choice.