Fitch Ratings
Stress on US banks rises in Q2
US banks face rising losses and continuing economic stress, with little reason for optimism in their second-quarter results, analysts say.
Fitch survey reports improved investor sentiment
After two years of turmoil, the credit markets are showing signs of recovery, according to respondents to Fitch Ratings' latest quarterly European senior credit investor survey.
Fitch enhances analysis of banks' risk-based capital
Daily news headlines
US senators criticise rating agency reform proposals
Senators and industry experts have criticised US Treasury proposals to keep tabs on credit rating agencies in relation to competition, conflicts of interest and the quality of ratings.
Almost all SIV assets now sold off, Fitch says
The structured investment vehicles (SIVs) at the heart of the credit crisis have now disposed of 95% of their $400 billion in assets, according to analysis released today by credit rating agency Fitch Ratings.
Credit market won't be fazed by GM bankruptcy, say analysts
Despite its size, the largest industrial bankruptcy in US corporate history is unlikely to have much of an effect on the credit derivatives markets, suggest analysts.
Ratings redux
Rating agencies have been lambasted for perceived failings in their collateralised debt obligation (CDO) rating methodologies. The leading agencies have published revised methodologies, but has it swung too much the other way? With the CDO market in the…
EU parliament and Council approve rating agency regulation
Daily news headlines
Fitch report explores concentration risk in Basel II proposals
Daily news headlines
UK guarantees AAA RMBS in bid to jump-start lending
The UK government has launched a scheme to guarantee up to £50 billion in residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) for the first time, finance minister Alistair Darling said yesterday.
CDO managers hamstrung by market constraints, says Fitch
The ability of firms managing synthetic collateralised debt obligations (CDOs) has been “dramatically reduced” because of deal constraints, spread widening and market illiquidity, according to London and New York-based credit ratings agency, Fitch…
Banks suffer from stricter ratings criteria
Banks may be the latest victims of a continuing drive by rating agencies to impose harsher tests on highly-rated structured finance products, analysts said.
Banks tighten conditions on revolving credit extensions
More stringent terms and conditions are being attached to revolving credit facilities (RCFs), although banks are still extending them to investment-grade corporates. Analysts and bankers agree that RCFs are becoming more expensive and smaller and will…
CDS market more liquid in times of stress - Fitch
The credit default swap (CDS) market becomes more liquid during periods of market stress, according to research conducted by Fitch Solutions, a valuation and product development division of Fitch Ratings.
Fitch nears end of global CDO review
Almost a year on from its global collateralised debt obligation (CDO) ratings embargo, Fitch Ratings is months away from determining the final status of ratings on hundreds of corporate CDOs.
More ABS losses to come on Alt-A, auto loans and credit cards
While defaults and delinquencies on subprime mortgages appear to have peaked, losses on prime mortgages and other prime collateral referenced by asset-backed securities (ABS), such as auto loans and credit cards, are expected to keep rising.
BarCap works to revive life insurance securitisation
For Barclays Capital, a recent £250 million ($495 million) securitisation of part of UK insurer Aegon Scottish Equitable’s life portfolio proves there’s life left in the life insurance securitisation market.
Fitch unveils new structured product ratings
Rating agency Fitch has revealed its proposed new system of rating structured products, originally suggested in April this year.
Fitch pulls coverage of monolines
New York credit rating agency Fitch Ratings has withdrawn coverage of the troubled monoline insurers Ambac and MBIA after they refused to continue co-operating with its analysts.
A matter of trust
CDO Ratings