DTF.com.au - Credit Rating Scale News

Credit Rating Scale News

‘Let ’em eat research!’ Friday, July 30, 2010 @ 7:56AMWe wonder if Don Buchholz has as much contempt for his own employees at SWS Group Inc. in Dallas as he does for the faculty at the University of North Texas in Denton. If so, we feel fortunate not to work for either one.
State Street Upgraded to Neutral Friday, July 30, 2010 @ 5:17AMBased on strong organic growth fueled by efficient cost control and favorable global asset management trends, we are upgrading our recommendation on State Street to Neutral from Underperform.
GrainCorp to Buy AWB for A$803 Million to Supply Asia Friday, July 30, 2010 @ 2:45AMGrainCorp Ltd. agreed to buy AWB Ltd. for A$803 million ($723 million) to become Australia’s top wheat exporter, taking on Cargill Inc. and Viterra Inc. in supplying Asia, the biggest buyer of the grain.
Agencies boost Ukraine's sovereign rating Friday, July 30, 2010 @ 2:06AMStandard & Poor's Ratings Services said on Friday that it had raised its long-term sovereign foreign currency ratings on Ukraine by one notch to 'B+' from 'B' and the long-term sovereign local currency rating to 'BB-' from 'B+' in view of the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) approval of Kyiv's new credit program.
Regulatory Reform: What Impact Will It Have On Commercial Real Estate? Wednesday, July 28, 2010 @ 5:42PMThe Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, signed into law by President Obama last week, is a cornerstone of Congress and the Administration’s financial regulatory reform agenda, creating the most sweeping changes in U.S. financial...
A.M. Best Assigns Ratings to Old Line Bank and Old Line Bancshares, Inc. Wednesday, July 28, 2010 @ 2:59PMOLDWICK, N.J.----A.M. Best Co. has assigned a financial strength rating of “a-” and an issuer credit rating of “a-” to Old Line Bank. A.M. Best also has assigned an ICR of “bbb+” to Old Line Bancshares, Inc. .
Fitch Downgrades ProLogis' IDR to 'BB'; Outlook Negative Wednesday, July 28, 2010 @ 2:13PMNEW YORK----Fitch Ratings has downgraded the Issuer Default Rating and outstanding credit ratings of ProLogis as follows:
Ex-regulators get set to lobby on new financial rules Wednesday, July 28, 2010 @ 2:12PMCorporations are recruiting former regulators to help negotiate an avalanche of anticipated federal rules.
Regulatory Reform: Too Late to Shore Up Weak Banking System According to Weiss Ratings Wednesday, July 28, 2010 @ 12:20PMBank of America, Citibank, Wells Fargo and Many Others Still Vulnerable
Regulatory Reform: Too Late to Shore Up Weak Banking System According to Weiss Ratings Wednesday, July 28, 2010 @ 12:08PMJUPITER, FL--(Marketwire - 07/28/10) - The financial regulatory reform signed into law by President Obama last week may be too late to shore up a banking system that has already been severely weakened by excessive risk-taking and inadequate capital, according to new ratings just released by Weiss Ratings on the nation's banks and thrifts. Among 7,851 institutions reviewed by Weiss, only 911 ...
Analysts give boost to Wynn Resorts Friday, July 23, 2010 @ 2:50PMWynn Resorts Ltd. of Las Vegas received a boost this week when key debt ratings were lifted by Fitch Ratings and Moody's Investors Service.
Campaign 2010: Baker 'not surprised' by $1B budget problem Friday, July 23, 2010 @ 2:37PMRepublican gubernatorial candidate Charles Baker on Thursday called a newly disclosed need for $1 billion in spending cuts and other solutions in the three-week old state spending plan the natural outgrowth of what he called Gov. Deval Patrick’s refusal to manage spending proactively.
GE Board of Directors Authorizes Increase in Dividend and Extension of Share-Repurchase Program Friday, July 23, 2010 @ 11:25AMFAIRFIELD, Conn.----The Board of Directors of General Electric Company today raised the Company’s quarterly dividend 20% from $0.10 per outstanding share of the Company’s common stock to $0.12 per outstanding share of the Company's common stock.
Moody's says it might downgrade Hungarian debt Friday, July 23, 2010 @ 10:30AMBUDAPEST (AFP) - Moody's credit rating agency warned on Friday that it might downgrade Hungarian sovereign debt, citing looming problems for the economy and the level of public overspending.
Fitch Affirms Central Mortgage's U.S. Residential Servicer Ratings Friday, July 23, 2010 @ 9:41AMNEW YORK----Fitch Ratings has affirmed the U.S. residential mortgage primary servicer ratings for Central Mortgage Company as follows:
Hungary put on notice for credit rating cuts Friday, July 23, 2010 @ 7:59AM(AP:LONDON) Hungary was warned Friday that it may have its credit rating cut following the recent breakdown of the country's talks with the International Monetary Fund and the European Union.
S&P, Moody's revise Hungarian outlook to negative Friday, July 23, 2010 @ 7:48AMS+P revised its outlook for Hungary's sovereign rating to negative. It could lower Hungary's sovereign rating if government policies are unlikely to result in a meaningful decline in public debt as a percentage of GDP over the medium term or if the political commitment to pursue growth-supportive policies weakens.
Fitch Affirms Honolulu Board of Water Supply, Hawaii's Wtr Sys Rev Bonds at 'AA+' Thursday, July 22, 2010 @ 3:54PMSAN FRANCISCO----As part of its continuous surveillance efforts, Fitch Ratings affirms its long-term, unenhanced 'AA+' rating on the following Honolulu Board of Water Supply bonds:
American Express Reports Second Quarter EPS of $0.84, up Significantly from a Year Ago Thursday, July 22, 2010 @ 3:11PMNEW YORK----American Express Company today reported second-quarter net income of $1 billion, up from $337 million a year ago. Diluted per share net income was $0.84, up from $0.09 a year ago.
Fitch Downgrades 1 & Affirms 1 Amresco-IFC SBA Transaction Thursday, July 22, 2010 @ 2:04PMCHICAGO----Fitch Ratings takes the following rating actions on Amresco-IFC SBA loan backed adjustable rate certificates and assigns Rating Outlooks as indicated:
Growth from infra to keep credit demand buoyant: S&P Thursday, July 22, 2010 @ 1:40PMBanks in India continue to witness good demand for loans on demand for funds for large scale investment in infrastructure projects, acquisitions by companies, and a resurgent demand for working capital and capital expenditure, a study by Standard & Poor’s (S&P’s) said.
Fitch Affirms Pacific Life's CMBS Servicer Ratings Thursday, July 22, 2010 @ 1:36PMCHICAGO----Fitch Ratings affirms Pacific Life Insurance Company's commercial mortgage-backed securities servicer ratings as follows:
Fitch Affirms TMS Business Loan Backed Certificates, Series 1999-1; Assigns Stable Outlooks Thursday, July 22, 2010 @ 1:33PMNEW YORK----Fitch Ratings affirms and assigns Rating Outlooks to the following classes in The Money Store Business Loan Backed Certificates, series 1999-1:
G.M. Buys a Subprime Lender for $3.5 Billion Thursday, July 22, 2010 @ 1:30PMG.M. said it hoped to increase sales to consumers with lower credit ratings with the purchase of AmeriCredit.
Indian banking sector's growth to remain high: S&P Thursday, July 22, 2010 @ 8:08AMDespite intense competition and high inflationary pressures, India's banking sector will continue to show high growth owing to the country's strong economic expansion, credit rating agency Standard & Poor's (S&P) said today.
Accuride Plans High-Yield Debt as Junk-Bond Sales Surge: New Issue Alert Thursday, July 22, 2010 @ 6:14AMAccuride Corp., the Evansville, Indiana-based maker of wheels for trucks and trailers, is marketing debt as high-yield, high-risk issuance surpassed $1.7 billion for the second time in a month.
European Stock-Index Futures Fall on Bernanke Comments; Syngenta May Move Thursday, July 22, 2010 @ 2:04AMEuropean stock-index futures retreated after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke said the economic outlook remains “unusually uncertain” without unveiling additional stimulus measures. Asian shares fell, while U.S. futures fluctuated.
Budget committee holds line on utility transfers Thursday, July 22, 2010 @ 12:28AMA policy established in 2009 for the coming fiscal year to cap financial transfers from public utilities to the general fund at 50 percent will have to wait, according to statements made at Thursday’s Budget Committee meeting and by City Council President Lonnie Mixon this week.
Prof. Dimbab paper on Modernizing Rural Areas of Sarawak Wednesday, July 21, 2010 @ 6:13PMBy Professor Dr.Dimbab Ngidang 1. Introduction The purpose of this paper is to provide inputs not only for the formulation of policy instrument(s), but also for practitioners directly involved in project planning and implementation in rural areas to achieve the desired goal of high income policy in the 10th Malaysia Development Plan. Hopefully, with a [...]
Fiat makes profit, approves split into 2 companies Wednesday, July 21, 2010 @ 4:00PM(AP:MILAN) Italian automaker Fiat, which controls Chrysler, on Wednesday pushed ahead with plans to split into two companies as it reported a return to second-quarter profit on improved sales of farm equipment and trucks.
Advisors told Lenihan bank guarantee could be 'mistake' Friday, July 16, 2010 @ 8:20AMThe Government was advised that a blanket bank guarantee could be a "mistake" shortly before it introduced the scheme in late September 2008, according to financial documents released by the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee today.
Public Accounts Committee documents Friday, July 16, 2010 @ 6:59AM20 September: A briefing note for Taoiseach Brian Cowen at the time when the Government decided to increase the deposit guarantee scheme for customers to €100,000 says the decision was not taken in response to public panic.
Government was warned on guarantee cost Friday, July 16, 2010 @ 6:10AMDocuments published by an Oireachtas Committee show that the Government was advised not to introduce a blanket guarantee for the six Irish banks just before it did so.
GE Delivers Double-Digit EPS Growth of 15% for 2Q '10; Continuing EPS of $0.30; GE Capital Earned $830MM, up 93%, With ... Friday, July 16, 2010 @ 5:30AMFAIRFIELD, Conn.----GE announced today second-quarter 2010 earnings from continuing operations of $3.3 billion, with EPS of $0.30 per share up 15% from the second quarter of 2009. Revenues were $37.4 billion for the quarter, down 4% from a year ago, impacted by lower GE Capital assets, industrial dispositions and lower equipment sales as expected.
Eastday-AgBank's so-so debut Thursday, July 15, 2010 @ 7:22PMAgricultural Bank of China debuted on the Shanghai Stock Exchange yesterday with a mild rise as the world's could-be largest initial public offering hit a sluggish market.
Google 2Q EPS Misses Street Views; Revenue Beats Views Thursday, July 15, 2010 @ 4:34PMGoogle, Inc. posted better-than-expected second-quarter revenue, but earnings-per-share missed the expectations, prompting shares to fall after the market closed.
THE DISTILLERY: Out to pasture Thursday, July 15, 2010 @ 4:23PMOne commentator argues that Nufarm's directors are well past their prime. 16 Jul 2010 7:17 AM
Pho 2000 not easy to find, but it's worth the effort Thursday, July 15, 2010 @ 3:41PMPho 2000 is quietly confounding.
ProLogis Obtains Secured Financing Thursday, July 15, 2010 @ 10:41AMProLogis , one of the leading global providers of distribution facilities, has recently obtained Â124.3 million of secured funding to repay its debt.
A.M. Best Comments on NYMAGIC, INC.'s Proposed Acquisition by ProSight Specialty Insurance Holdings, Inc. Thursday, July 15, 2010 @ 8:41AMOLDWICK, N.J.----A.M. Best Co. has commented that the financial strength rating of A and issuer credit ratings of “a” of New York Marine Group and its members and the ICR of ‘”bbb’” of its ultimate holding company, NYMAGIC, INC. , are unchanged following the announcement of NYMAGIC’s proposed acquisition by ProSight Specialty Insurance Holdings, Inc. .
BNP Paribas Corporate and Investment Banking Adds John Roglieri as Director in Equity Prime Brokerage Thursday, July 15, 2010 @ 8:11AMNEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - July 15, 2010) - BNP Paribas Corporate and Investment Banking is pleased to announce the appointment of John Roglieri as Director in Equity Prime Brokerage. Roglieri is based in New York and reports to J.P. Muir, Head of Prime Brokerage Sales - New York. In his new role, Roglieri will be focused on providing financing solutions to Hedge Funds and other Financial ...
New York Life's Top Ratings Affirmed by All Four Major Rating Agencies Thursday, July 15, 2010 @ 8:03AMNEW YORK----New York Life Insurance Company, America’s largest mutual life insurer, today announced that all four of the major ratings agencies have affirmed the company’s highest possible ratings for financial strength with stable outlooks.
From Standard & Poor’s: Town receives AAA rating Thursday, July 15, 2010 @ 7:13AMStandard & Poor’s has given the town an AAA bond rating, its highest, on its $10.3-million bond issue. “This is our first time to bond using S&P as our bond rating agency,” said Town Controller Steve Gniadek.
False and Misleading Offering Documents Detailed in Class Action Lawsuit Against Countrywide Financial Thursday, July 15, 2010 @ 7:00AMCohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC filed an Amended Consolidated Class Action Complaint this week in its landmark litigation against Countrywide Financial Corporation and other underwriter defendants who were prominently involved in the failure of mortgage-backed securities over the last several years.
OPTI Canada Announces Second Quarter 2010 Results Thursday, July 15, 2010 @ 5:54AMCALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - July 15, 2010) - OPTI Canada Inc. (TSX:OPC) (OPTI or the Company) announced today the Company's financial and operating results for the quarter ended June 30, 2010. T
C-FB ISD anticipates recognized rating Thursday, July 15, 2010 @ 12:55AMCarrollton Farmers Branch ISD has long since been a standard of excellence in the area but this year they are not only celebrating high TAKS scores, but its diversity as well.
Michigan lender returns ill-gotten gain Friday, July 9, 2010 @ 8:59PMDear Greg: I applied for a loan modification from Expert Financial Services in Michigan after they told me over the phone that I did qualify for a modification and would receive a 2.5 percent, 30-year fixed-rate mortgage under one of the Obama programs. I had to pay $2,000 upfront for a loan application but was promised that, if the loan could not be processed for any reason, the $2,000 would be ...
Fitch Rates Bexar County, TX's $155MM LTGOs & COs 'AAA'; Outlook Stable Friday, July 9, 2010 @ 3:30PMAUSTIN, Texas----Fitch Ratings assigns an 'AAA' rating to the following Bexar County, TX limited tax general obligation bonds and combination tax and revenue certificates of obligation :
BestWeek: US Life Industry's New Business Issued Fell in 2009 in Four of Five Segments Friday, July 9, 2010 @ 3:21PMOLDWICK, N.J.----New business issued by the United States life insurance industry fell in all categories in 2009 from 2008 except for group life, which rose 7.6%, according to an annual Best’s statistical study that appears in this week’s BestWeek U.S.
Santos in talks to sell stake in flagship project Friday, July 9, 2010 @ 12:54PMPERTH: Australia's Santos said it is in talks to sell equity in its flagship Gladstone LNG project, triggering a surge in its shares on expectations it may soon sign a multibil-lion-dollar deal with Royal Dutch Shell and avert another equity raising.