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☆ Moody’s sends a warning to America: Your last AAA credit rating is at risk
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Jason Moon | Elisabeth Buchwald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New York CNN —The United States is one step closer to losing its last perfect credit rating after Moody’s Investors Service changed the outlook of the nation’s debt to negative on Friday after markets closed. These effects would likely be even more painful if Moody’s does eventually downgrade the US debt. The nation’s diminished fiscal strength, undone by extreme partisanship in Washington, was a key driver of the action, according to a statement from Moody’s. Standard and Poor’s downgraded the United States for the first time in 2011, following the debt ceiling standoff then. In August, Fitch Ratings knocked America’s credit rating down after the most recent debt ceiling debate.

Persons: America’s, Wally Adeyemo, “, Moody’s, Poor’s, Kevin McCarthy, Mike Johnson, Johnson, Karine Jean, Pierre Organizations: New, New York CNN, Moody’s Investors Service, United, AAA, Fitch, House Press, Republican, Treasury Locations: New York, United States, Washington, Moody’s, ”, American

☆ Biden officials reject Moody's shift to 'negative' outlook, point to Republican 'dysfunction'
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks to United Auto Workers (UAW) union members in Belvidere, Illinois, U.S., November 9, 2023. REUTERS/Leah Millis/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Nov 10 (Reuters) - Top Biden administration officials on Friday rejected a decision by Moody's ratings agency to downgrade its U.S. economic outlook to negative from stable, calling the shift a reflection of what they called "extremism and dysfunction" among congressional Republicans. “While the statement by Moody’s maintains the United States’ AAA rating, we disagree with the shift to a negative outlook. The American economy remains strong, and Treasury securities are the world’s preeminent safe and liquid asset," Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo said in a statement. White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said the change was "yet another consequence of congressional Republican extremism and dysfunction."

Persons: Joe Biden, Leah Millis, “, Moody’s, Wally Adeyemo, Karine Jean, Pierre, Andrea Shalal Organizations: United Auto Workers, UAW, REUTERS, Rights, Biden, States ’ AAA, Republican, Thomson Locations: Belvidere , Illinois, U.S, American

The White House is seen at dusk on September 30, 2023 in Washington, DC. Moody's Investors Service on Friday lowered its ratings outlook on the United States' government to negative from stable, pointing to rising risks to the nation's fiscal strength. The ratings agency has affirmed the long-term issuer and senior unsecured ratings of the U.S. at Aaa. Moody's move to cut its outlook arrives as Congress faces the looming threat of a government shutdown once more. "Moody's decision to change the U.S. outlook is yet another consequence of Congressional Republican extremism and dysfunction," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement.

Persons: Moody's, Wally Adeyemo, Mike Johnson, Karine Jean, Pierre, Fitch Organizations: Moody's, Aaa, United States, Republican, White, Democratic, AAA Locations: Washington ,, United States, Washington, United, American, Jan, U.S

☆ Moody’s Changes U.S. Credit Outlook to ‘Negative’
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Alan Rappeport | More About Alan Rappeport | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The outlook on the credit rating of the United States was changed to “negative” from “stable” on Friday by the ratings firm Moody’s, which pointed to the nation’s worsening fiscal position and political polarization as long-term concerns for America’s economy. The change falls short of a downgrade to America’s credit rating, which Moody’s maintained at the highest AAA level. That downgrade, two months after the United States narrowly avoided defaulting on its debt, was the second in America’s history. Republicans have been pushing for severe spending cuts to reduce the gap between what America spends and what it earns in tax revenue. Mr. Biden has proposed reducing future deficits by expanding the economy and raising taxes on high earners and corporations.

Persons: Moody’s, Fitch, Biden Organizations: AAA, Republicans, America Locations: United States

☆ Moody's changes U.S. outlook to negative, affirms AAA rating
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailMoody's changes U.S. outlook to negative, affirms AAA ratingCNBC's Steve Kovach joins 'Closing Bell Overtime' to talk the latest Moody's rating on the U.S government.

Persons: Steve Kovach

WASHINGTON (AP) — The credit rating agency Moody’s Investors Service lowered its outlook on the U.S. government's debt on Friday to “negative” from “stable,” citing the cost of rising interest rates and political polarization in Congress. Moody's retained its top triple-A credit rating on U.S. government debt, though it is the last of the three major credit rating agencies to do so. A reduced outlook, however, raises the risk that Moody's could eventually strip its triple-A rating from the U.S. as well. A lower rating on U.S. debt could cost taxpayers if it leads borrowers to demand higher interest rates on Treasury bills and notes. Analysts have warned that with interest rates heading higher, interest costs on the national debt will eat up a rising share of tax revenue.

Persons: Moody's, Fitch, Biden, Moody’s, Wally Adeyemo, “, ” Moody's Organizations: WASHINGTON, Moody’s Investors Service, Fitch, AAA, Poor's, Treasury, States ’ Aaa Locations: American, Washington, U.S

ATLANTA (AP) — People in Georgia will keep paying no state taxes on gasoline and diesel, at least until state lawmakers start a special legislative session. Brian Kemp on Wednesday extended the fuel tax rollback of 31.2 cents per gallon of gasoline and 35 cents per gallon of diesel until Nov. 29. Georgia’s governor can suspend the collection of taxes during an emergency as long as state lawmakers approve it the next time they meet. Tax revenues fell about 3% in October even though some fuel taxes were still flowing into state coffers after Kemp's September action. Fuel taxes in Georgia largely fund roadbuilding.

Persons: Brian Kemp, That's, Kemp, Garrison Douglas, Joe Biden, ” Kemp, “ Organizations: ATLANTA, —, Republican Gov, Democratic, AAA Locations: Georgia, Texas

☆ High bond yields challenge “Pax Americana”
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Hugo Dixon | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

There are also many reasons why “Pax Americana” – the period of U.S. dominance since World War Two - is under stress. The combination of high bond yields with a large fiscal deficit and rising sovereign debt is making it harder for politicians to govern the country. If anything, they may have a tougher job to make their fiscal maths add up than the United States because their growth prospects are not as rosy. What’s more, the near-record yield gap with the United States is bringing its own headaches by putting downward pressure on the yuan. These are consolations for the United States as it grapples with the geopolitical consequences of high interest rates.

Persons: Joe Biden, Kevin Lamarque, Joe Biden’s, doesn’t, Liz Truss, haven’t, Paul Tucker, “, Fitch, Peter Thal Larsen, Thomas Shum Organizations: Air Force, Joint Base Andrews, REUTERS, Reuters, Federal Reserve, International Monetary Fund, Bank of England, AAA, AA, United, Bank for International, Initiative, Thomson Locations: Lewiston , Maine, Joint Base Andrews , Maryland, U.S, Israel, Ukraine, China, United States, Europe, Asia, Russia, Britain, Washington, Republic

☆ Berkshire Hathaway posts 40% surge in operating earnings and record cash
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-04 | by ( Krystal Hur | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway on Saturday reported a surge in third-quarter operating earnings and record-high cash pile of $157 billion in the period. Berkshire reported a net loss of $12.8 billion, compared to a loss of $2.8 billion during the same period last year. Berkshire bought back about $1.1 billion in stock during the third quarter, bringing the nine-month total to approximately $7 billion in stock repurchases so far this year. “It was like having God just opening a chest and just pouring money into it,” Charlie Munger, vice chair of Berkshire Hathaway, said of the investments in an interview with the Acquired podcast released in October. Berkshire Hathaway Class A shares are up 13.9% for the year as of Friday’s close, underperforming the benchmark S&P 500.

Persons: New York CNN — Warren, Berkshire Hathaway, Buffett, ” Buffett, Charlie Munger Organizations: New, New York CNN, Berkshire, Fitch, AAA, CNBC, Treasury, Federal Reserve, Berkshire Hathaway Locations: New York, Berkshire, Omaha , Nebraska

☆ World Bank Eyes Speeding up Loan Approvals Amid Bold Overhaul
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

Disbursements currently take an average of 27 months from the time the bank gets a loan request. Adding resources to the implementation stage of projects backed by the bank is another way of reducing the timeframe of disbursements, Mountfield said. The World Bank has launched a broader reform process that includes stretching its balance sheet as international threats from geopolitical tensions to global warming pile pressure on vulnerable nations. The United States, the bank's largest shareholder, has been urging the bank for months to take bolder and faster steps to free up resources. The study, carried out by international finance analytics firm Risk Control, found the bank's two main lending arms, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA), have "significant headroom" to boost lending.

Persons: Rosario, Elisa Martinuzzi, Ed Mountfield, Mountfield, Disbursements, Jorgelina, Christina Fincher Organizations: Elisa Martinuzzi LONDON, Bank, Operations, Country Services, World Bank, Reuters, AAA, Rockefeller Foundation, International Bank for Reconstruction, International Development Association, IDA Locations: London, United States

☆ A Gen Xer moved to North Carolina to save money for retirement. Her beachfront home cost about half as much as her California property, but the weather doesn't compare.
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-29 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Sandra, a Gen Xer, recently moved from the Los Angeles area to the beaches of North Carolina. While the weather isn't as ideal, North Carolina has been a pleasant surprise. AdvertisementAdvertisementSandra decided that instead of retirement by the beaches of Los Angeles, she'd instead enjoy life by the North Carolina shore. Even though she said insurance is a bit higher in North Carolina given the prevalence of hurricanes, her taxes have been cut by around half. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe more diverse politics of her area — since North Carolina is a purple state — was also a plus over deep red South Carolina, she said.

Persons: Sandra, —, she'd, she's, doesn't Organizations: Service, Navy, Hilton, Ventura, AAA, Survey Locations: Los Angeles, North Carolina, East Coast, California, Massachusetts, East, Raleigh, Charlotte, Charleston, South Carolina, Carolina

☆ Fitch affirms Sweden's 'AAA' ratings
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Oct 27 (Reuters) - Fitch affirmed Sweden's long-term local and foreign currency debt rating of "AAA" on Friday, citing the country's sound public finances and policy framework. The ratings agency also affirmed Sweden's outlook at "stable" and kept its short-term foreign currency rating at "F1+". The agency upgraded Sweden's foreign currency rating to "AAA" in 2004 and it has remain unchanged since. Earlier this month, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan submitted a bill approving Sweden's NATO membership bid to parliament for ratification. Sweden had applied for a NATO membership alongside Finland last year, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Persons: Fitch, Sweden's, Tayyip Erdogan, Tanya Jain, Devika Organizations: AAA, NATO, Finland, Thomson Locations: Sweden, Ukraine, Finland, Turkey, Hungary, Bengaluru

Biden administration officials, worried that a growing conflict in the Middle East could send global oil prices soaring, are looking for ways to hold down American gasoline prices if such a jump occurs. President Biden tapped the reserve aggressively last year after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine sent oil prices skyrocketing, leaving the amount of oil in those reserves at historically low levels. The conflict in the Middle East has not yet sent oil prices surging. Administration officials are wary of the possibility that prices could again jump above $5 a gallon, a level they briefly touched in the spring of 2022. “In some ways, they’ve missed the boat.”

Persons: Biden, That’s, Mr, ”, Amrita Sen, Sen, “, they’ve Organizations: Biden, nation’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve, AAA Locations: Saudi Arabia, Gulf of Mexico, Ukraine, Israel, Iran

☆ Netflix aims to 'crawl, walk, run' when it comes to video games. It's still crawling
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( Drew Richardson | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Former Electronic Arts mobile gaming executive Mike Verdu joined Netflix as vice president of game development in 2021. Getting existing subscribers to download and play mobile games is a challenge, though, Benes noted. As of September 2023, Netflix's games have been downloaded 70.5 million times, globally, according to data obtained from Apptopia. The beta rollout to limited users Canada and the U.K. included Oxenfree from Night School Studio, a Netflix game studio, and Molehew's Mining Adventure, a gem-mining arcade game. But Netflix is not looking to be a console replacement, Netflix gaming executive Verdu previously told Tech Crunch.

Persons: It's, we've, Greg Peters, Ross Benes, Mike Verdu, Joseph Staten, Benes, Netflix's, Playrix, Candy Crush, King, Peters, Sunny Dhillon, Kyber Knight, Dhillon, Verdu Organizations: Netflix, Intelligence, Electronic Arts, AAA, Night School, Street, Tech, CNBC Locations: Canada

REUTERS/Bing Guan/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Oct 19 (Reuters) - U.S. oil refiners have cranked up output of diesel, heating oil and jet fuel for winter but are struggling to turn a profit because gasoline margins have fallen over 80% since the summer driving season ended. Refiners, which typically produce more distillates such as diesel and heating oil in autumn, are trying to rebuild inventories of these fuels that are near seasonal record lows. While fuel makers focus on maximizing distillate output, they inevitably produce gasoline as well. Meanwhile, Russia's short-lived diesel export ban, along with less refinery capacity and Western sanctions on Russian diesel, have hit diesel inventories and tightened supplies. Shortages have kept the U.S. heating oil crack at near $44 a barrel, nearly twice the seasonal average.

Persons: Bing Guan, fuelmakers, RIN, Laura Sanicola, Stephanie Kelly, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Phillips, Los, Los Angeles Refinery, Rights, Diesel, AAA, U.S ., U.S . Energy Information Administration, Thomson Locations: Los Angeles, Carson , California, U.S, Singapore, U.S . East

☆ This structured credit ETF offers a higher yield than Treasuries and just hit $4 billion in assets
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Jesse Pound | In Jesse-Pound | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The Janus Henderson AAA CLO ETF (JAAA) , which buys highly rated collateralized loan obligations, has grown rapidly this year and outperformed many popular bond ETFs. The fund has a 30-day SEC yield of 6.66%, putting it above the yield of U.S. Treasuries. JAAA YTD mountain The JAAA ETF has held up this year despite rising interest rates. There are other CLO ETFs on the market, including the BlackRock AAA CLO ETF (CLOA) that launched earlier this year, but JAAA is the largest. Given the size and depth of the AAA CLO market, the fund should have no problems operating until it is about $20 billion in assets, at least, he estimated.

Persons: Janus Henderson, John Kerschner, Kerschner, JAAA Organizations: Janus Henderson AAA CLO, SEC, CLOs, Treasury, Treasury Bond ETF, CNBC, JPMorgan AAA CLO, BlackRock AAA, AAA Locations: JAAA

☆ 'Bond King' Jeffrey Gundlach says buy long-dated Treasurys, with prices set to rebound going into a recession
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Filip De Mott | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Jeffrey Gundlach says long-duration Treasurys will make a good short-term trade in a recession. Gundlach also sees agency mortgage securities and commercial mortgage bonds as attractive. "We like long-term treasury bonds for the short-term trade going into a recession. "There has been about a 50% drawdown in the long bond, which means there is now potential for the long bond to go up in price." In calling a recession on the horizon, he also touted agency mortgage-backed securities and commercial mortgage bonds as attractive investments.

Persons: Jeffrey Gundlach, Gundlach, — Organizations: Service, DoubleLine Capital, AAA

☆ Gasoline prices fall as weakening demand sends refining margins crashing
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Aruni Soni | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Gasoline prices have been falling amid weakening seasonal demand, driving refinery margins lower. Gas prices were at $3.575 a gallon on Wednesday, according to AAA, down from $3.584 a day ago and $3.881 a week ago. AdvertisementAdvertisementAs winter approaches, it's chilling gasoline prices, too. Because gasoline is made from crude oil, anything that affects the crude oil markets tends to affect gas prices, just like it did when the Russia-Ukraine crisis hit last year. While Israel and Hamas are not major oil producers, an escalating conflict could drive crude oil prices higher, which would change the story for gas prices.

Persons: —, Brent Organizations: Bloomberg, AAA, Service, US Energy Information Administration Locations: Israel, Russia, Ukraine, Gaza, Iran

High funding needs and central banks removing support are increasing pricing uncertainty for investors, Sophia Drossos, hedge fund Point72 Asset Management's chief economist, said. Spending plans lacking credibility were seen as most likely to spark market turmoil. I suspect not by default, but when markets start reflecting their worries in Treasury prices, by a political crisis and a potentially ugly adjustment," the former IMF chief economist said. "We need more investment, not less," said King's College London professor Jonathan Portes, Britain's cabinet office chief economist during the financial crisis. Not enough reforms are being implemented, OECD chief economist Clare Lombardelli warned.

Persons: Andrew Kelly, Peter Praet, Praet, Sophia Drossos, Daniel Ivascyn, Claudio Borio, Olivier Blanchard, Ray Dalio, Janet Yellen's, Yellen, Jim Leaviss, Giancarlo Giorgetti, Daleep Singh, Joe Biden, Britain's, Yellen's, Jonathan Portes, Clare Lombardelli, Moritz Kraemer, Yoruk Bahceli, Maria Martinez, Leigh Thomas, Giuseppe Fonte, Nell Mackenzie, Naomi Rovnick, William Schomberg, Jan Strupczewski, Dan Burns, Elisa Martinuzzi, Riddhima Talwani, Jayaram, Emelia Sithole Organizations: Financial, of, REUTERS, Institute of International Finance, Reuters, European Central Bank, ECB, Bank for International, Peterson Institute for International Economics, Associates, U.S . Treasury, Wall, Economy, Britain's Treasury, Congressional, Britain's, Institution, Reuters Graphics ACT, King's College London, Labour Party, OECD, Graphics, Thomson Locations: of Manhattan , New York City, U.S, Italy, Britain, United States, Europe, Ukraine, Berlin, Paris, Rome, London, Brussels, Washington, Marrakech

High funding needs and central banks removing support are increasing pricing uncertainty for investors, Sophia Drossos, hedge fund Point72 Asset Management's chief economist, said. Spending plans lacking credibility were seen as most likely to spark market turmoil. I suspect not by default, but when markets start reflecting their worries in Treasury prices, by a political crisis and a potentially ugly adjustment," the former IMF chief economist said. Italy's 2.4 trillion-euro debt pile is the focus in Europe, where the IMF has said high debt leaves governments vulnerable to crisis. "We need more investment, not less," said King's College London professor Jonathan Portes, Britain's cabinet office chief economist during the financial crisis.

☆ More freight carriers are exiting the market as soaring diesel prices drag on truckers
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( Phil Rosen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Soaring diesel prices this summer have raised financial stress for carriers, the report added. Diesel prices eased from March to June, but then spiked 18% from July to September. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe national average for diesel prices on Monday hovered at $4.456, AAA data shows. "For every 50 cents diesel prices increased in 2023, Motive saw a 30% increase in companies' financial stress." MotiveMotive anticipates diesel prices to stay volatile for the year ahead, and consumer demand will have to stay level or even grow to match the freight market's capacity and help it stabilize.

Persons: —, Motive Organizations: Motive, Soaring, Service, AAA, Motive Motive

Excluding volatile food and energy costs, “core” prices likely also rose 0.3% in September, the same as in August. The Fed tracks the core figure in particular as a good indicator of the likely future path of inflation. That would mean that the Fed would probably keep its short-term rate higher for longer than investors had expected last summer. The result has been an increased supply of Treasuries, which means a higher yield is needed to attract enough buyers. Economists note that some wild-card factors might have caused inflation to come in higher or lower than expected in September.

Persons: They're, Christopher Waller Organizations: WASHINGTON, Federal, Fed, Fed's, of Governors, AAA Locations: United States

☆ Get tax-exempt income on the cheap as bond shake-up hits munis
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( Darla Mercado | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Tax-exempt income and relative safety are on sale for investors who are sniffing around municipal bonds. Tax-exempt income Interest income from municipal bonds is exempt from federal income tax — and can avoid state and local levies, too, if an investor and the bond issuer are in the same jurisdiction. This feature makes munis especially attractive to high-income investors in the 32% marginal federal income tax bracket and higher. Investors weighing a tax-exempt municipal bond against a corporate bond would do well to check out the tax equivalent yield. Schwab's Howard noted that the 5- to 7-year part of the municipal bond curve is favorable.

Persons: MUB, Nathan Will, Will, it's, Cooper Howard, Schwab's Howard, Shannon Saccocia Organizations: Federal Reserve, Muni Bond ETF, Vanguard, AAA, Bond, ., New York Life Investments, Schwab Center, Financial Research Locations: munis, muni

☆ Multilateral development banks, keen to expand lending, to meet with ratings agencies
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( Andrea Shalal | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Yuri Gripas/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsMARRAKECH, Morocco, Oct 10 (Reuters) - Senior executives at multilateral development banks will meet on Wednesday with the top credit ratings agencies, bank executives said, amid a broad push to expand their lending capacity and help countries brace for climate change and other challenges. The World Bank's main lending arms could expand their lending capacity by nearly $900 billion if the ratings agencies changed their processes and modified the allowance they make for callable capital, a study commissioned by Rockefeller found. Lakshmi Shyam-Sunder, the World Bank's chief risk officer, said the ratings agencies had shown some openness to considering revisions in how they treat callable capital in the banks' balance sheets. Casali said Wednesday's meeting, on the sidelines of the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank in Morocco, would include officials from the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and the African Development Bank, along with the three top credit raters - Moody's, Standard & Poor's and Fitch. Currently, the ratings agencies apply widely different rules and standards in assessing the risks associated with the banks' lending and balance sheets.

Persons: Yuri Gripas, Roberta Casali, Rockefeller, Lakshmi Shyam, Sunder, Casali, Fitch, Ajay Banga, Janet Yellen, Andrea Shalal, David Lawder, Leslie Adler Organizations: Monetary Fund, REUTERS, Rights, Asian Development Bank, Rockefeller, AAA, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, African Development Bank, Poor's, World, Reuters, U.S, Treasury, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Rights MARRAKECH, Morocco

☆ US credit downgrade means junk sovereign bonds now outweigh AAA debt for the first time, Fitch says
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( Filip De Mott | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Fitch Rating's US downgrade in August has dramatically shifted the debt market's composition. With the US now rated AA+, the amount of outstanding AAA sovereign debt shrank 85% to about $5 trillion. Meanwhile, speculative-grade sovereign debt was little changed at about $6.1 trillion. Without $33 trillion of US debt, AAA debt shrank 85% to about $5 trillion. That narrowed the share of AAA debt to just 6% from over 40%.

Persons: Fitch, — Organizations: AAA, Service, AA, Fitch Locations: Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Singapore, Moody's

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