Fitch: Downgrade risk doubled in first half of 2012

The number of companies, governments and other institutions facing downgrades doubled in the first half of 2012, according to Fitch Ratings.

It gave 19.8% of companies under its watch a negative outlook in the first half of this year, most of which are located in the troubled eurozone area, the Telegraph reports. Six eurozone countries had their ratings lowered by Fitch, including Spain's by five notches and Greece down four. The number of international public finance organisations at risk of a downgrade over 12 to 18 months also doubled to 48.3% from 22.4% during the first six months of the year. Financial institutions and banks fared little better, with the number on negative outlook climbing to 19.3% from 10.7%. F...