The effects of social ratings on firm value

Alexis Cellier and Pierre Chollet
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Alexis Cellier: IRG - Institut de Recherche en Gestion - UPEM - Université Paris-Est Marne-la-Vallée - UPEC UP12 - Université Paris-Est Créteil Val-de-Marne - Paris 12
Pierre Chollet: MRM - Montpellier Research in Management - UPVM - Université Paul-Valéry - Montpellier 3 - UPVD - Université de Perpignan Via Domitia - Groupe Sup de Co Montpellier (GSCM) - Montpellier Business School - UM - Université de Montpellier

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Abstract: This paper examines, in a short-term perspective, the effects of Vigeo social ratings announcements on the firm's shareholder value. From an event study on a large sample of European firms, we show that the announcement of ratings generates a strong positive stock market reaction regardless of whether the rating is good or bad. This finding underlines the relevance of ratings and reveals the value effects of corporate social responsibility (CSR). We also find that the overall rating has no impact on shareholders' wealth. We highlight that specific CSR dimensions drive the value effects. Some are value enhancing and others value destroying. Our study complements the literature on the complex links between socially responsible practices and firm value. It gives arguments to measure properly the benefits and risks associated with non-financial factors, and to integrate them into asset pricing models and allocation processes.

Date: 2016-01
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

Published in Research in International Business and Finance, 2016, 36, pp.656-683. ⟨10.1016/j.ribaf.2015.05.001⟩

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:hal:journl:hal-02009558

DOI: 10.1016/j.ribaf.2015.05.001

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