Moody's

Fears the UK government may undershoot its target to cut the budget deficit could threaten the country's credit rating, Moody's has warned.

Moody's Investors Service last night said if there is no progress in the US on increasing the country's statutory debt limit, it expects to place that government's rating under review for possible downgrade in the next few weeks.

Moody's said it has put Citigroup, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo on review for possible credit ratings downgrades as the US government cuts support for future bailouts.

Iceland is poised to re-enter the bond market for the first time since the collapse of its major banks.

Ratings agency Moody's is threatening to cut the ratings of 14 British lenders including RBS and Lloyds on concerns regulators including the Bank of England will harden their stance on future bailouts.

Moody's has downgraded its rating of Irish banks to junk status, following its decision last week to cut Ireland's sovereign debt rating by two notches.

Moody's has slashed Ireland's sovereign debt rating by two notches, to BAA3 from BAA1, on its weak economic growth prospects.

Moody's says it could cut its ratings of 19 UK banks to reflect the lower chance of a future government bail-out.

Moody's has downgraded Portugal's credit rating for the second time in less than a month and has warned it could fall further.

Moody's says it has seen signs of improvement and increased profitability in the hedge fund sector this year following strong performance in 2010.