Following assessment, each study is assigned a rating of Strong quality (no weak ratings noted), Moderate (one weak rating noted) or Weak (two or more weak ratings noted).
In a conference call, S&P affirmed that, were Enron not to be bought, S&P would reduce its rating to low BB or high B, ratings noted as being within junk status.
Ratings noted the presence or absence of the theme in each case, rather than the number of occurrences across all of the cases.
Indeed, analysts say even with a downgrade, Treasuries would remain the benchmark for world fixed income markets, as Fitch Ratings noted this week.
The move comes amid a slide in MSNBC's ratings, notes MediaBistro, though it's unclear if the loss of viewers directly prompted the restructuring.
Perhaps those investors were sweating after an earlier ratings downgrade in July from Fitch Ratings, which noted "marked increases in the level of defaulted and rejected receivables".
He referenced, as presidents always do, his falling approval ratings, but noted a bright side: "I happen to know that my approval ratings are still very high in the country of my birth".
But programs that are promoted as being good for you aren't always good for ratings, Mr. Lico noted.
On May 20th Morningstar, another ratings service, noted that Time Warner was issuing new debt specifically to increase its leverage.
Rob Bain of Standard and Poor's, a ratings agency, notes that TfL's finances are more flexible than Crossrail's.
