Moody's US credit warning spooks world markets
(AP)
European Business News
AP - European and U.S. Stock markets fell sharply Tuesday after worse than expected German industrial production data and a warning from a leading credit ratings agency that the U.S. Government needs to get its public finances in shape soon. Source: Yahoo! News: Business - European Economy[/URL]
Moody's puts U.S. On review for possible downgrade
Moody's credit-rating service says it is putting the U.S. Government on review for a possible downgrade because of the rising possibility the debt limit will not be raised on a timely basis. Ref. USAToday
S&P warns that chance of downgrading U.S. Credit rating is 50 percent:
All three major credit rating agencies have now threatened the United States' coveted status as the world's most secure economy. Its AAA rating identifies U.S. Treasury bonds as one of the world's safest investments - and has helped the nation borrow at extraordinarily cheap rates. Ref. Source 2
Moody's Investors Service says the United States will retain its AAA credit rating after President Obama signed a bill to raise the federal debt ceiling.
Moody's assigned a negative outlook on the top-notch rating, echoing comments by Obama that the new deal was only a "first step" toward a long-term debt solution.
Still in question is the rating assigned by Standard & Poor's, which last month warned lawmakers of a possible downgrade.
The AAA rating enables nations to borrow funds at lower costs because their governments are considered stable and their bonds safe. Ref. CNN