Rating upgrades outnumber downgrades for the first time since 2000
Risk of new liquidity providers such as hedge funds and private equity is an important credit concern for corporate issuers
Ratings upgrades especially strong among global banking and finance companies
Migration data reveal substantial rating stability, Fitch says
Ratings agency outlines methodology for assigning credit ratings to hedge funds
Absence of severe credit stresses prevails for third straight year
Outlook appears less positive with more issuers on review for downgrades
Regulators encouraged that many agencies have adopted policies consistent with the IOSCO code
Corporate leverage expected to increase of the next 12 months
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