The Economic Content of Indicators of Developing Country Creditworthiness
Summary:
This paper analyzes the economic determinants of developing country creditworthiness indicators for over 60 developing countries for the period from 1980 to 1993. Our results indicate that economic fundamentals--the ratio of non-gold foreign exchange reserves to imports, the ratio of the current account balance to GDP, growth, and inflation explain a large amount of the variation in the credit ratings. All developing country ratings were adversely affected by an increase in international interest rates independently of the domestic economic fundamentals. A country’s regional location and the structure of its exports (such as whether it is primarily an exporter of fuel products or manufactured products) were also important.
Series:
Working Paper No. 1996/009
Subject:
Balance of payments Credit ratings Current account balance Exports External debt Inflation International trade Money Prices
English
Publication Date:
February 1, 1996
ISBN/ISSN:
9781451927283/1018-5941
Stock No:
WPIEA0091996
Pages:
46
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