Topic: Standard & Poor's

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A brief history of the Greek debt crisis

The Greek debt crisis has unfolded over several years and through a litany of bailouts, parliamentary votes, and credit downgrades. Here is a brief overview of how we got to where we stand today.
Which countries have a higher credit rating than the US?

When Standard & Poor's downgraded the US from its AAA status to AA+ on Aug. 5, it knocked just one country off a lengthy list. Now, there are 18 nations with AAA credit ratings.
Five reasons the S&P downgrade isn’t so bad – and one word of caution

Here are five reasons why Standard & Poors downgrade of US debt from AAA to AA+ isn’t as bad as it seems, and a reminder not to take it too lightly.
World markets respond to US credit downgrade

Today is the first day that most stock exchanges have been open since ratings agency Standard & Poor's announced its US credit downgrade from a AAA rating to AA+. Here’s how world markets have responded so far:
Stocks plunge: four factors behind investor pessimism

The stock market is tanking. At midday Aug. 4, the Dow had fallen 300 points. The bond market is also beginning to growl like a bear. Investors are buying long-dated bonds while eschewing shorter-term securities to protect their assets, a clear indication that they feel the economy is likely to weaken further. High-profile economists are also turning gloomy. Former Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers put the chances of another recession at 1-in-3; Harvard economist Martin Feldstein put it at 1-in-2. What's behind all the pessimism? Here are four big factors that are weighing on stocks and could determine the course of the global economy in the coming months:

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Despite oil prices, falling euro, Dow closes up slightly

Oil prices fell, the euro sank to a 22-month low, and the yield on the U.S. government's 10-year Treasury note fell near a historic low. But the Dow Jones industrial average edged up 125 points to close at 12580 as investors continue to hope for a Chinese growth spurt.
Home prices hit post-boom lows: What does that mean for housing market?

Despite fresh optimism about the housing market, home prices in the Case-Shiller Index fell during the first quarter, suggesting that the market is still stabilizing.
Stock market opens higher on hope for China

Stock market opened higher Tuesday amid optimism that China will take action to reverse the recent slowdown in its economic growth. Rising home prices also gave the stock market a boost.
Decoder Wire
Is Washington careening toward another debt limit crisis?

Another showdown appears to be brewing over the national debt limit – and under what conditions Congress will raise it next time. But something big will happen between now and then that may prevent it.
Germany frets, markets falter over French and Greek election results

In Germany, the results of yesterday's elections are seen as a refusal to follow the austerity plan hammered out by European leaders in long, painful negotiations.
The New Economy
Is US a model for austerity-wary Europe?

Despite its sluggishness, the US economy is growing while Europe's is contracting. A rising number of policymakers blame Europe's austerity moves.
Stocks mixed after lackluster jobs report

The Dow fell 10 points to close at 13268 after ADP reported that the US added far fewer jobs in April than in March.
Spain enters recession; Dow and S&P 500 fall

Spain reentered a recession Monday, renewing fears about Europe's economic stability and sending stocks lower. The Dow fell 14 points to close at 13213; the Standard and Poor 500 index had its first monthly loss since November.
White House Correspondents Dinner: Obama mocks Romney, Secret Service, himself

Everyone is fair game for humorous jibes at the annual White House Correspondents Dinner. Saturday night was no exception as President Obama and MC Jimmy Kimmel made fun of the political class.
Stock market fallout from Spain downgrade? Quiet.

Stock market reaction muted in Germany, France, Britain, and US. First estimate of US GDP in first quarter could sway stock market sentiment.
Home prices: New numbers raise hopes they're finally starting to stabilize

Declines in home prices may be slowing, according to one report, while another has found the first year-on-year increase in prices since July 2007.
Economy adds 120,000 jobs. Why the dip from bigger gains in early 2012? (+video)

The unemployment rate fell from 8.3 percent to 8.2 percent in March. Economists had been expecting higher numbers of new jobs.
Indonesia backs off plans to hike price of gas after protests

But pressure continues to mount to increase prices from their current, government-subsidized $2 per gallon, as the subsidies sap resources from education, health care, and other programs.
Bankruptcy jitters in Stockton. Will other cities fail?

Bankruptcy of Stockton, Calif., looms large as city enters talks with creditors. But most other troubled California municipalities are taking drastic steps to avoid bankruptcy.
30-year mortgage rate falls to 3.9 percent

30-year mortgage rate falls again to near-record lows. Fixed 30-year mortgage rates have stayed below 4 percent for 13 weeks in a row.
Apple hits $500 billion marker

Apple's market worth reached $500 billion on Wednesday – but will it last?
Warren Buffett ends rocky week by announcing heir apparent

As Warren Buffett's public profile took some rare hits, the 'Oracle of Omaha' moved Saturday to shore up Berkshire Hathaway's future by locating a successor.
The Daily Reckoning
Could you ride out a Great Depression?

When the Great Depression hit, many Americans were able to live off the land and wait it out.  In today's sour economy, that's less of an option.
Best time for a Greek default? It's now.

Greek default now would prove less of a shock to stocks, especially in buoyant emerging markets and the US, which is off to its best start in 15 years. But Greek default probably would be first of several sovereign defaults.
Donald Marron
The natural gas glut is reshaping electricity markets

Wind, nuclear, and coal all look expensive compared to natural gas generation.
Stefan Karlsson
Why the Euro debt downgrade matters (even though it shouldn't)

Credit ratings of national governments shouldn't be mandatory, but they affect treasury bond yields in countries that are already hurting financially.
The Reformed Broker
S&P downgrades the Eurozone bailout fund

The beleaguered nations of Europe created a program called EFSF (European Financial Stability Facility) to help sovereign debt issuers and Euro Zone banks cope with the ratings agency cuts to their debt ratings and rising interest rates. But yesterday, the S&P downgraded the EFSF itself.
Good news in Europe, China lifts stocks

Slight improvements in Europe's troubled debt markets and China's economy lifted stocks Tuesday. The Dow rose 60 points to close at 12482
Credit rating slashed, France promises reforms

Credit rating downgrades prompts several European nations to lambaste S&P ratings agency. But France, which lost its AAA credit rating, says it will implement cost cuts.
Stocks slip; JPMorgan disappoints

The Dow fell 48 points to close at 12422 Friday after a rare disappointing earnings report from JPMorgan Chase battered bank stocks