Question 1

What types of credit ratings does Morningstar DBRS provide?

Accepted Answer

Morningstar DBRS provides independent credit ratings and opinions for corporate issuers, financial institutions, insurance companies, sovereign and public-sector entities (governments), and structured finance instruments. Within structured finance, research coverage includes asset-backed securities, residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, covered bonds, structured credit transactions, collateralized loan obligations, asset-backed commercial paper, and other securitized products. Morningstar DBRS issues credit ratings using one or more categories, such as public, private, provisional, final(ized), solicited, or unsolicited. Morningstar DBRS credit ratings include but are not limited to Issuer Ratings, Long-Term Obligation Ratings, and Short-Term Obligation Ratings.

Question 2

What is Morningstar DBRS’ credit rating process?

Accepted Answer

Morningstar DBRS credit ratings are determined by credit rating committees. Rating committees make credit rating decisions based on quantitative and qualitative analysis in accordance with the applicable published methodologies, models, and criteria. Rating committees evaluate available information and relevant risk factors through a process that reflects a collective, independent assessment of creditworthiness. The resulting credit ratings are forward-looking opinions about the likelihood that an issuer or security will meet its financial obligations.

Question 3

How can credit rating data be accessed and integrated into existing systems?

Accepted Answer

Morningstar DBRS credit ratings data, RatingsNow, can be delivered via automated feeds (API or SFTP), or through redistribution partners including BlackRock Aladdin, Bloomberg, and FactSet. The ratings data feed can integrate into client platforms and data environments, embedding the feed directly into investment, risk, and reporting workflows. The data feed can be customized by region and sector to align with the client’s investment strategy and monitoring requirements.

Question 4

What asset classes does Morningstar DBRS’ credit research cover?

Accepted Answer

Morningstar DBRS credit research spans multiple market sectors including corporate issuers, financial institutions, insurers, sovereigns and public sector entities (governments), public finance, project finance, and structured finance. Within structured finance, research coverage includes asset-backed securities, residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, covered bonds, structured credit transactions, collateralized loan obligations, asset-backed commercial paper, and other securitized products.

Question 5

What is the difference between a credit rating and credit research?

Accepted Answer

A credit rating is a forward-looking opinion from Morningstar DBRS assessing issuer and debt creditworthiness, expressed through a standardized rating scale (AAA, AA, A, BBB, BB, etc.). Morningstar DBRS currently uses the following rating scales to assign and monitor credit ratings: Long-Term Obligations Rating Scale Commercial Paper and Short-Term Debt Rating Scale Financial Strength Rating Scale Preferred Share Rating Scale (Canadian scale only) National Scale Credit Ratings Expected Loss Rating Scale Credit Fund Rating Scale Credit research is typically published as credit rating reports, commentaries, sector outlooks, surveillance reports, and market insights, and includes information and analysis related to credit fundamentals, market developments, risks, and opportunities.

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About Morningstar’s credit ratings

What types of credit ratings does Morningstar DBRS provide?

What is Morningstar DBRS’ credit rating process?

How can credit rating data be accessed and integrated into existing systems?

What asset classes does Morningstar DBRS’ credit research cover?

What is the difference between a credit rating and credit research?

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