Venezuela Cut Deeper Into Junk by S&P
- Nation’s long-term ratings lowered to CCC-, outlook negative
- S&P expects Venezuelan inflation to be about 950% in 2017
Members of the National Guard are caught up in a blast during protests in Caracas on July 10, 2017.
Photographer: CARLOS BECERRA/AFP via Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
The world’s riskiest credit got another jolt after S&P Global Ratings lowered Venezuela’s rating deeper into junk as the economy spirals down amid heightened political tension.
S&P reduced the nation’s long-term foreign and local currency ratings to CCC-, or three notches below investment grade, from CCC on Tuesday. The New York-based company kept its negative outlook for Venezuela, signaling room for further downgrades. Fitch Ratings and Moody’s Investors Service also rank the country at speculative levels.