ratings

Ratings agency Moody's has downgraded the credit rating of McGraw-Hill, the parent of the world's largest ratings company, rival Standard and Poor's.

Credit rating agency Moody's Investor Services has downgraded its rating of the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) - Europe's bailout fund - because of increased concerns over the financial health of France.

M&G's co-head of fixed income Jim Leaviss has warned the UK could face losing its AAA rating on 5 December, the day of the Autumn Statement, as the growing budget deficit could force George Osborne to abandon plans for fiscal consolidation.

Moody's will strip the US of its AAA rating if a deficit reduction deal is not struck in Congress, it has warned.

London's FTSE 100 slipped into the red in early trading this morning after Fitch Ratings cut Spain's long-term credit rating and predicted a slump through 2013.

The government received more income than it spent in January, posting the highest surplus for four years following a drive to cut public spending.

Ratings agency Standard & Poor's has downgraded Egypt's credit rating further as the ongoing upheaval in the country continues.

Credit ratings agency Fitch has cut Hungary's long-term foreign and local currency debt to junk status, following a tumultuous week for the country.

Europe's single currency reached a 15-month low against the dollar following a French bond auction this morning which saw almost all of the €8bn of debt targeted being sold.

European regulators may be given new powers to suspend credit ratings of countries seeking or undergoing bailouts to prevent the "negative spillover effects to other countries", according to proposals for tougher regulation issued by the European Commission....