May 4, 2011

US Debt Rating Should Be 'C' - It's two notches above junk

CNBC - There have been increasing concerns about the fate of United States' prized triple-A sovereign debt rating.
While Standard and Poor's recently downgraded its U.S. debt outlook to negative from stable, implying that a ratings cut could happen in two years, one independent ratings agency has given the U.S. sovereign rating a "C".

It's two notches above junk..." Martin Weiss, President of Weiss Ratings, told CNBC Tuesday.

The grade reflects the U.S. massive debt burden, low international reserves and the volatility in the American economy, he said.

The U.S. government debt is fast approaching the $14.3 trillion ceiling, with the debt-to-GDP ratio close to 100 percent. And a downgrade of U.S. Treasurys - one of the most widely held assets - could theoretically raise borrowing costs and in a worst case scenario, trigger a default on the government's debt obligations.

America's rating was ranked 33rd out of 47 nations, according to Weiss, which began tracking sovereign debt last year.  France and Japan also got a "C" rating, while Only China and Thailand received an "A" rating.

Please read full at CNBC