Credit ratings: how Fitch, Moody`s and S&P rate each country
Baku, July 27 (AZERTAC). Moody`s has given negative outlooks for the sovereign credit ratings of Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. See how different credit ratings agencies rate countries worldwide.
The credit rating agency announced the decision on Tuesday citing "an increased risk of Greece crashing out of the eurozone" and the "widespread panic" it could cause.
The move by Moody`s follows its downgrading last month of the credit ratings of six German banking groups and Austria`s three-largest banks. Greece had their rating slashed to CCC from B- by Fitch only two months after an upgrade following its debt restructuring deal.
Last month India was given a negative outlook by Fitch. The same ratings agency hit Spain with a three notch downgrade from A to BBB, citing "policy missteps at the European level".
In more positive news, Standard & Poor`s has raised the credit ratings of three countries this month. The Philippines was given its highest rating in nine years, with Ukraine and Panama also benefiting from upgrades.
The interactive map below by Thiagu from Chartsbin shows how countries are rated by each of the three ratings agencies as of 26 July. Colours indicate credit grades, from prime (blue) to highly speculative (red). Use the menu in the top left to switch between ratings from the different agencies.
In February, the UK had the outlook on its Aaa Moody`s rating changed to negative in a range of adjustments by the major credit agency including downgrades for Italy, Malta, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia and Spain.
They were widely attacked for failing to warn of the risks posed by certain securities, in particular mortgage-backed securities.
Losing your rating or being downgraded can have a fatal effect on your country`s ability to borrow money on the markets.
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