Credit ratings

Ratings represent an evaluation of credit quality, conducted by independent financial analysis firms.  Credit ratings and research can help investors assess marketplace value and degree of investment risk.

Standard & Poor's(S&P), Moody's and Fitch are leading global credit rating, research and risk analysis operations.  Their highest long-term rating is AAA/Aaa and the lowest is C.  Moody's uses numerical modifiers (1, 2, 3) in each rating classification while S&P and Fitch use plus and minus signs.

Short-term ratings by these agencies assess the ability of the company to repay short-term debt obligations. A1/P1/F1 ratings (highest short-term rating) by S&P, Moody's and Fitch respectively indicate a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations; A2/P2/F2 indicates satisfactory ability and A3/P3/F3 indicates adequate ability to meet the short-term financial liabilities.

The same rating from different firms may not mean exactly the same thing. Each firm will use different techniques and subjective assessment in formulating ratings opinions.