Most top credit rating agencies say they would not cut Greece’s rating to default if it misses a payment to the IMF or ECB, a stance that could keep vital ECB funding flowing into the financial system. 

The Irish banks pose less of a risk to the wider economy as the sector is buoyed by robust growth, according to Standard & Poor’s.

The Irish banks probably have enough capital not to fail the ECB stress tests, but they do not have sufficient levels to start functioning normally, according to Standard & Poor’s Nigel Greenwood.

The European securitisation market could play a vital role in corporate funding once economic fundamentals return to normal, but proposed regulatory changes pose a huge challenge, according to ratings agency, Standard & Poor’s.

Last week, the global financial ratings agency Standard & Poor’s published its first review of low-cost airline Ryanair.

The growth in shadow banking across the eurozone will not compensate for the fall off in traditional bank lending as banks continue to deleverage, according to a new report by ratings agency Standard & Poor’s (S&P).

Surging house prices in Dublin and other urban centres will moderate from 2015 onwards as supply constraints becomes less acute and mortgage arrears work their way through the market, according to a report by the ratings agency Standard & Poor’s.

The credit ratings agency Standard & Poor’s has upgraded its outlook for Ireland from stable to positive, while retaining the BBB rating.

Weak reports on hiring and service industries sent the stock market sharply lower yesterday, giving the Dow Jones industrial average its worst day in more than a month.

Apple is the world’s most valuable company, ever.

Equity investors wishing to cash in on the London Olympics can take their pick from British hotels, advertisers or retailers — history suggests the FTSE 100 could shine in the following 12 months.

Copenhagen: Danish legislation aimed at spurring bank industry consolidation will reduce the risk of default after lawmakers made it easier for lenders to avoid the country’s bail-in rules, Standard & Poor’s said.

US STOCKS rose yesterday, capping a week of record swings for the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index, as an increase in retail sales tempered concern the economy is slowing.

The United States was reeling today after Standard & Poor’s lowered the nation’s AAA credit rating for the first time since granting it in 1917.

HOUSE prices have hit bottom, according to one of the world’s leading credit rating agencies — but it will be a few years before the market picks up.

US stocks tumbled yesterday and the dollar and Treasuries rose as credit-rating downgrades of Greece and Portugal fuelled concern that debt-laden nations are moving closer to default.

US companies, which have been reluctant to part with their mountain of cash, may start spending more of it - and spur the economy in the process.

Investors sent stocks modestly higher in New York today, embracing a sluggish gross domestic product reading that was nonetheless better than expected, hoping that falling oil prices would help spur the economy.