February Credit Update: Consensus Upgrades Continue to Outweigh Downgrades for Financials

Credit Benchmark has published the latest monthly credit consensus data (from January 2019) based on contributions from 30+ financial institutions, covering over 25,500 separate legal entities.

The monthly upgrades and downgrades overview is now based on data adjusted for changes in contributor mix.

Monthly consensus upgrades and downgrades:

• 365 obligors improved their credit standing by at least one notch.
• 322 obligors deteriorated.
• 62 moved more than one notch.
• The frequency of upgrades and downgrades has increased.

Last month showed improvements across 346 obligors and deterioration across 312, with 62 moving by more than one notch.

Industries:

• Upgrades dominate downgrades in four out of ten reported industries.
• The industries showing an improvement in credit quality include:
  • Financials with 99 upgrades and 54 downgrades.
  • Oil & Gas with 20 upgrades and 14 downgrades.
  • Utilities with 18 upgrades and 12 downgrades.

• The industries showing deteriorations are:
  • Consumer Services with 24 upgrades and 32 downgrades.
  • Telecommunications with four upgrades and eight downgrades.

To learn more about consensus ratings and analytics from Credit Benchmark, email [email protected].

Disclaimer: Credit Benchmark does not solicit any action based upon this report, which is not to be construed as an invitation to buy or sell any security or financial instrument. This report is not intended to provide personal investment advice and it does not take into account the investment objectives, financial situation and the particular needs of a particular person who may read this report.

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