Moody's Cuts Iceland's Outlook

Benzinga submits: By Daniel James Hayden IV Moody's Investors Service downgraded Ireland's credit rating two notches to Baa3 from Baa1 on Friday and said that the outlook for the financially troubled country remains negative.

Moody's on Thursday cut its outlook on Barclays' financial strength rating to "negative" from "stable" after the British bank's top executives resigned this week over an interest rate rigging scandal."Moody's Investors Service has today changed the outlook on the C-/baa2 standalone bank financial strength rating (BFSR) of Barclays Bank Plc to negative from stable," the ratings agency said in a statement.The decision reflects "concerns that the senior resignations at the bank and the consequent uncertainty surrounding the firm's direction are negative for bondholders."

Major ratings agency Moody's Investors Service downgraded Japan's sovereign debt rating by one notch Wednesday, putting fresh pressure on the country's political leaders to repair its finances.Moody's said it was cutting Japan's government bond rating to Aa3 from Aa2, citing the "large budget deficits and the build-up in Japanese government debt since the 2009 global recession".It is the first time since the March 11 earthquake and tsunami that a major ratings agency has downgraded Japan's sovereign debt. Moody's said the outlook was stable.

Major ratings agency Moody's Investors Service downgraded Japan's sovereign debt rating by one notch Wednesday, putting fresh pressure on the country's political leaders to repair its finances.Moody's said it was cutting Japan's government bond rating to Aa3 from Aa2, citing the "large budget deficits and the build-up in Japanese government debt since the 2009 global recession", according to Dow Jones Newswires.It is the first time since the March 11 earthquake and tsunami that a major ratings agency downgraded Japan's sovereign debt. Moody's said the outlook was stable.

TOKYO (Reuters) - Ratings agency Moody's Investors Service downgraded Toyota Motor Corp to Aa2 from Aa1 on Thursday and said the rating came with a negative outlook.

Moody's Investors Service has downgraded the short-term rating of Citigroup Inc., citing a higher probability the U.S. government would support the bank if it failed, although the credit ratings service said the bank's liquidity remains sound

Moody's on Friday cut its credit ratings on Ireland by two notches to just above junk status, citing an "expected decline" in government finances that is set to hamper the indebted nation's recovery."Moody's Investors Service has today downgraded Ireland's foreign- and local-currency government bond ratings by two notches to Baa3 from Baa1," a statement said.It added that the outlook on the ratings "remains negative" -- meaning further downgrades are possible.

Iceland was swept up in a political and economic storm on Wednesday, with clouds building over its credit rating, economic recovery and EU membership bid after the president vetoed compensation over the Icesave bank collapse.Iceland's President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson refused to sign on Tuesday the so-called Icesave bill on compensation to the British and Dutch governments, referring instead the issue to a referendum because of public opposition.