The 2024 Moskowitz Prize Honorable Mention paper Do Commercial Ties Influence ESG Ratings? Evidence from Moody's and S&P, will be presented by co-authors Yun Lou and Liandong Zhang. Yun and Liandong will give an overview of the research which investigates concerns raised by regulators and academics about the reliability of ESG ratings. Looking specifically at Moody's and S&P, this study provides the first evidence that conflicts of interest arising from commercial ties among rating agencies lead to bias in ESG ratings. The 30-minute presentation will be followed by 30 minutes of open Q&A and will be moderated by Meeta Kothare, Professor of Practice in the McCombs School of Business and the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin.

When: Friday May 30, 2025, 10:00 AM CDT.

Be sure to read the research brief ahead of the event and come prepared to discuss.