Is the situation described in this article due just to a difference of opinion between rating agencies and investors about the creditworthiness of the firms issuing these$$ bonds? Might there be another reason the rating agencies have come to different conclusions about these$$ bonds?

Part $5$

A$.$

Credit rating agencies are not paid for their ratings so investors do not trust their ratings on smaller firms to be accurate.

B$.$

Credit rating agencies are paid by the firms whose bonds they are rating. This can lead to inflated ratings to attract customers.

C$.$

Credit rating agencies are part of the federal government and investors believe the government overestimates creditworthiness.

D$.$

Credit rating agencies base their rating on a$$ bond's interest rate risk while investors focus on default risk.