Rating upgrades outnumber downgrades for the first time since 2000
Rating changes have been less frequent for sovereign issuers than for corporate issuers
Larger continue to display superior loan granularity when compared with smaller institutions
Biggest challenge is falling home prices
The event raises some concerns about controls at BMO
Emerging market economies becoming exporters of capital
Outlook appears less positive with more issuers on review for downgrades
No bond or loan issuers defaulted in February or March, Moody’s says
New ratings will more closely reflect financial strength
Moody’s Investors Service announced that it is considering refinements to its use of “joint default analysis” as part of its bank rating methodology. “Having consulted with market participants, Moody’s is assessing ways of applying more qualitative judgment to modify formulaic external support assumptions and their effect on bank ratings under JDA,” it explained. Moody’s said […]