Explanation

Notching is the correct answer because it refers to the methodology used by credit rating agencies to adjust bond issue ratings relative to the issuer's corporate credit rating.

Key Concepts:

1. Notching: This is the practice of adjusting a specific bond issue's rating up or down from the issuer's corporate credit rating based on factors such as:

   • Seniority of the debt (senior vs. subordinated)
   • Security/collateral backing
   • Structural features
   • Recovery prospects in default

2. Cross-default: This is a covenant provision in bond agreements, not a rating methodology. It allows bondholders to declare a default if the issuer defaults on other debt obligations.

3. Structural subordination: This refers to the legal structure where debt at an operating subsidiary level is senior to debt at the holding company level, affecting recovery prospects but not being the methodology itself.

Why Notching is Correct:

• Rating agencies use notching to reflect differences in expected recovery rates for different debt instruments issued by the same company
• For example, senior secured debt might be rated higher (notched up) than unsecured debt
• Subordinated debt might be rated lower (notched down) than senior unsecured debt
• The degree of notching depends on the agency's assessment of recovery prospects

Example:

If a company has a corporate credit rating of BBB, its senior secured bonds might be rated BBB+ (one notch up), while its subordinated bonds might be rated BBB- (one notch down).