A European Commissioner has warned it may be necessary to further regulate the role of credit rating agencies. Michel Barnier, in charge of revamping financial services, told the European Parliament he had been surprised by the rapid deterioration of Greece's rating.
Brazil plans to sell bonds in international markets in coming weeks, taking advantage of the lowest borrowing costs since October 2007, Treasury Secretary Arno Augustin said.
The behaviour of two credit rating agencies in the run-up to the financial crisis has been criticised by US senators following an investigation.