S&P to award 'long-term' fund ratings

S&P is to expand its ratings service by recognising strong performers over five consecutive years.

The new award will be assigned to funds that have been rated A, AA, or AAA for five consecutive years or more and continue to hold a rating. Initially, over 260 funds across 64 fund companies will qualify for this designation, of which 30 have been rated AAA for the full five consecutive years. On a monthly basis, funds will be reviewed and new qualifying portfolios will be awarded the long-term rating. If an existing fund's rating is changed to under review (UR) / tenure review (TR) / or not rated (NR), then it will fall out of the long-term rating band. Linda Jane Coffin, chie...