Moody`s warns it may downgrade its Spanish bond rating
Baku, July 29 (AZERTAC). Moody`s has warned it may downgrade the credit rating of Spanish government bonds, saying last week`s second rescue package for Greece had done little to ease debt concerns in the eurozone.
The rating agency said it was reviewing Spain`s current Aa2 grade, adding that if it was downgraded, it would probably be by just one level, to Aa3.
Moody`s added that the Spanish economy remained "subdued".
The Spanish government has now called an early general election.
The announcement was made just hours after Moody`s made its credit rating warning, and will see Spain go to the polls on 20 November.
Explaining the decision, Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said he wished to "project political and economic certainty" over the months ahead.
However, it could be benefit the opposition conservative Popular Party, as it is ahead of the ruling Socialist Party in the polls.
The government could have waited until March of next year to hold the general election.
In explaining why it was reviewing Spain`s credit rating, Moody`s highlighted the fact that as part of the second bail-out deal for Greece, private bondholders were being invited to participate.
The private bondholders, such as banks, are being asked to exchange their current Greek bonds for ones which pay a lower rate of interest over a longer term.
Moody`s said this set a "precedent", adding that it had "signalled a clear shift in risk for bondholders of countries with high debt burdens or large budget deficits".
However, if Spain is downgraded to Aa3, this remains a healthy investment grade.
Moody`s also said five Spanish banks could have their credit ratings downgraded because of the same concerns.
These include the largest two lenders, Banco Santander and Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA).
Other news in this section
