INTM524040 - Thin capitalisation: practical guidance: the use of credit ratings: investment grade and non-investment grade credit ratings

Range of credit ratings

As is evident from the table below, the credit ratings of two of the ratings agencies have a wide range. The rating agencies distinguish between investment grade and non-investment grade ratings.

Investment Grade (Prime)

Standard and Poor바카라 사이트s ѴǴǻ바카라 사이트s Note
AAA (Superior) Aaa (Exceptional) The highest debt rating assigned. The borrower바카라 사이트s capacity to repay debt is extremely strong under a variety of economic conditions.
AA+ Aa1 -
AA (Excellent) Aa2 The capacity of the borrower to repay debt is very strong under a variety of economic conditions.
AA- Aa3 -
A+ A1 -
A (Good) A2 The borrower has strong capacity to repay debt but is susceptible to adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic operations.
A- A3 -
BBB+ Baa1 -
BBB (Adequate) Baa2 The borrower has adequate capacity to repay debt but adverse economic conditions or circumstances are likely to lead to risk of default.
BBB- Baa3 -

Non-Investment grade (non-prime or speculative grade; also 바카라 사이트junk bonds바카라 사이트)

Standard and Poor바카라 사이트s ѴǴǻ바카라 사이트s Note
BB+ Ba1 Regarded as predominantly speculative, BB+ being the least speculative and C the most.
BB (May be adequate) Ba2 Regarded as predominantly speculative, BB+ being the least speculative and C the most.
BB- Ba3 Regarded as predominantly speculative, BB+ being the least speculative and C the most.
B+ B1 Regarded as predominantly speculative, BB+ being the least speculative and C the most.
B (Vulnerable) B2 Regarded as predominantly speculative, BB+ being the least speculative and C the most.
B- B3 Regarded as predominantly speculative, BB+ being the least speculative and C the most.
CCC (Extremely vulnerable) Caa Regarded as predominantly speculative, BB+ being the least speculative and C the most.
CC Ca Regarded as predominantly speculative, BB+ being the least speculative and C the most.
C C Regarded as predominantly speculative, BB+ being the least speculative and C the most.
D - In default or with payments in arrears.
NR (Not rated: S&P has not been requested to rate the borrower바카라 사이트s capacity to meet obligations.) - -