The Viking ship Fitch Ratings continued it’s marauding in the British Isles today, sending shivers throughout the United Kingdom.
Well, maybe not throughout. But certainly in London, the ratings agency’s word that the U.K. is the triple-A rated country most at risk of a downgrade was heard loud and clear, as the pound tumbled and the prime minister mumbled.
Fitch didn’t exactly say that Britain is about to go the way of Iceland, or even of Ireland. It didn’t even cut its outlook, as Standard & Poor’s did earlier this year, saying the U.K.’s top credit rating is “resilient.” But it did say that the country requires the “largest budget adjustment” of any triple-A rated sovereign. And we all know that you can take a ratings agency at its word.
The British government quickly responded that there was simply no way in hell it would lose its triple-A rating, with Prime Minister Gordon Brown assuring, “we’re taking the necessary action to cut the deficit in half.”
Fitch did say that Britain “will articulate a stronger fiscal consolidation program next year.” It didn’t say whether that program would be implemented by Brown, or his Tory successor. Our bet’s on the latter.
Pound Falls After Fitch Fires ‘Warning Shot’ on U.K.’s Rating [Bloomberg]
U.K. Trade Min: AAA Rating ‘Absolutely Safe’ [WSJ]
Shouldn’t you have an image posted of the pirate ship from Monty Python’s meaning of life?
This new guy doesn’t know the difference between it’s and its. Who’s making these hiring decisions?
these ads for Newport/Pavonia to get out of NYC are getting really annoying
@anal_yst- your bitching is getting annoying.
@anal_yst – why have you sucked so much the past few days? Its been really bad.
@2 – Actually its “Whose making”.
@2 A close read reveals that he hedged. That should count for something.
@4/5
Who the f*ck are you? Lick my sac, your b*tching is getting annoying; I’ve been on DB and elsewhere for years, doing largely the same thing, with no problem until this week, from what I’m guessing is one, maybe two people at most.
Whats your freaking problem? Do you even have one, besides boredom? Lack of any real thoughts or opinions on anything? Please, spare me your bs and talk to me when you’ve got something to say, about anything other than how much you’re tired of my comments (which 99.999% of DB seems to be fine with mind you).
@Anal – don’t let the little pissants get under your skin. They aren’t worthy of licking anyone’s scrot.
@TC
Thanks, just a little (a lot) overcaffinated today
Who’s writing CDSs these days? Is anybody writing some on the British Soverign Gov’t? Sounds like a good play.
Just think; load up on CDSs, pay Fitch to downgrade the U.K. a few times, and the whole system will come down.
Brilliant.
The Guy from Delaware
“I’ve been on DB and elsewhere for years, doing largely the same thing, with no problem until this week, from what I’m guessing is one, maybe two people at most.”
You are fucking hardcore, OG even.
Rating agencies are full of morons with intelligence below my pet hamster…. morons.. UK is A not AAA