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Here Comes The S&P Downgrade Barrage - Full Statement, In Which S&P Says France May Get Two Notch Downgrade

Tyler Durden's picture




Standard & Poor's Ratings Services today placed its long-term sovereign ratings on 15 members of the European  Economic and Monetary Union (EMU or eurozone) on CreditWatch with negative implications. 

We have also maintained the CreditWatch negative status of our long-term  rating on Cyprus and placed its short-term ratings on CreditWatch with negative implications. The ratings on Greece have not been placed on  CreditWatch. The ratings on the eurozone sovereigns are listed below.

Today's CreditWatch placements are prompted by our belief that systemic stresses in the eurozone have risen in recent weeks to the extent that they now put downward pressure on the credit standing of the eurozone as a whole.

We believe that these systemic stresses stem from five interrelated factors:

  1. Tightening credit conditions across the eurozone;
  2. Markedly higher risk premiums on a growing number of eurozone sovereigns, including some that are currently rated 'AAA';
  3. Continuing disagreements among European policy makers on how to tackle the immediate market confidence crisis and, longer term, how to ensure greater
  4. economic, financial, and fiscal convergence among eurozone members;(4) High levels of government and household indebtedness across a large area of the eurozone; and
  5. The rising risk of economic recession in the eurozone as a whole in 2012. Currently, we expect output to decline next year in countries such as Spain, Portugal and Greece, but we now assign a 40% probability of a fall in output for the eurozone as a whole.

Our CreditWatch review of eurozone sovereign ratings will focus on three of the five key factors that form the core of our sovereign ratings methodology:

the "political," "external," and "monetary" scores we assign to the governments in the eurozone (see "Sovereign Government Rating Methodology And Assumptions", published June 30, 2011). Our analysis of "political dynamics" will focus on both country-specific and eurozone-wide issues that appear to us to be limiting the effectiveness of efforts to resolve the market confidence crisis. Our analysis of "external liquidity" will focus on the borrowing requirements of both eurozone governments and banks. Our analysis of "monetary flexibility" will focus on ECB policy settings to address the economic and financial stresses the countries in the eurozone are increasingly facing.  

We expect to conclude our review of eurozone sovereign ratings as soon as possible following the EU summit scheduled for Dec. 8 and 9, 2011. Depending on the score changes, if any, that our rating committees agree are appropriate for each sovereign, we believe that ratings could be lowered by up to one  notch for Austria, Belgium, Finland, Germany, Netherlands, and Luxembourg, and by up to two notches for the other governments.  [THIS MEANS FRANCE]

Our ratings on Greece (Hellenic Republic; CC/Negative/C) are not affected by today's actions, as a 'CC' rating under our rating definitions connotes our belief that there is a relatively high near-term probability of default.

We are publishing separate media releases with the rationale for each rating action on the 16 CreditWatch actions. We are also publishing the following article: "Credit FAQ: Factors Behind Our Placement of Eurozone Governments on CreditWatch".

Following today's CreditWatch listings, Standard & Poor's will issue separate media releases concerning affected ratings on the funds, government-related entities, financial institutions, insurance companies, public finance, and structured finance sectors in due course.

 

RATINGS LIST             To                   From

Long-term ratings on CreditWatch negative

Austria (Republic of) Sovereign Credit Rating  AAA/Watch Neg/A-1+   AAA/Stable/A-1+

Belgium (Kingdom of) Sovereign Credit Rating   AA/Watch Neg/A-1+    AA/Negative/A-1+

Finland (Republic of) Sovereign Credit Rating   AAA/Watch Neg/A-1+   AAA/Stable/A-1+

France (Republic of) Sovereign Credit Rating   AAA/Watch Neg/A-1+   AAA/Stable/A-1+

Germany (Federal Republic of) Sovereign Credit Rating   AAA/Watch Neg/A-1+   AAA/Stable/A-1+

Luxembourg (Grand Duchy of) Sovereign Credit Rating   AAA/Watch Neg/A-1+   AAA/Stable/A-1+

Netherlands (The) (State of) Sovereign Credit Rating   AAA/Watch Neg/A-1+   AAA/Stable/A-1+

Long- and short-term ratings on CreditWatch negative

Estonia (Republic of) Sovereign Credit Rating   AA-/Watch Neg/A-1+   AA-/Stable/A-1+

Ireland (Republic of) Sovereign Credit Rating   BBB+/Watch Neg/A-2   BBB+/Stable/A-2

Italy (Republic of) Sovereign Credit Rating   A/Watch Neg/A-1      A/Negative/A-1 

Malta (Republic of) Sovereign Credit Rating   A/Watch Neg/A-1      A/Stable/A-1

Portugal (Republic of) Sovereign Credit Rating   BBB-/Watch Neg/A-3   BBB-/Negative/A-3

Slovak Republic Sovereign Credit Rating   A+/Watch Neg/A-1     A+/Positive/A-1

Slovenia (Republic of)  Sovereign Credit Rating   AA-/Watch Neg/A-1+   AA-/Stable/A-1+
    
Spain (Kingdom of)  Sovereign Credit Rating   AA-/Watch Neg/A-1+   AA-/Negative/A-1+

Short-term ratings on CreditWatch negative, long-term ratings still on
CreditWatch negative

Cyprus (Republic of) Sovereign Credit Rating   BBB/Watch Neg/A-3    BBB/Watch Neg/A-3




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Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:27 | Link to Comment Fips_OnTheSpot
Fips_OnTheSpot's picture

Luxembourg? Lolburg.

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:33 | Link to Comment HedgeAccordingly
HedgeAccordingly's picture

Chicks from europe are the hottest - http://hedge.ly/gFWVSm 

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:54 | Link to Comment GOSPLAN HERO
GOSPLAN HERO's picture

USA is the land of wideload chicks.

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:58 | Link to Comment bigdumbnugly
bigdumbnugly's picture

yep.  babe of the day.

unquestionably nailable and her hair remains perfectly coiffed even under water.

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 18:01 | Link to Comment Spastica Rex
Spastica Rex's picture

She possesses built-in flotation devices, too. Wow.

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 18:14 | Link to Comment bigdumbnugly
bigdumbnugly's picture

almost enough to make even bawney frank go hetero.

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 19:05 | Link to Comment sqz
sqz's picture

Well, that must have scuppered a few plans! The EFSF AAA (CDO-like) rating makes it look like a zombie, even before it could be "expanded"!

Tue, 12/06/2011 - 00:44 | Link to Comment markmotive
markmotive's picture

deleted

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:43 | Link to Comment achmachat
achmachat's picture

if you downgrade the place with the highest per capita GDP in the world... what are you supposed to do with all the rest????

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:59 | Link to Comment Johnny B Good
Johnny B Good's picture

Nothing, because its not founded in reality anyway.

Just propaganda Bullshit to misdirect from the fact that the US and UK are bad ass broke.

But dont worry they'll go down the drain soon, not the euro, and their phony minion rating agencies with them.

Really all rating agencies are american, do you honestly believe they will realistically downgrade US ratings ? Dream on.

Small test: You get to make a list of people who get money. First place gets 1000$, Second 500$, Third 250$ etc.

How likely is it that your own Name is on place One ? Exactly.

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 18:35 | Link to Comment r101958
r101958's picture

The ratings agencies are now the cattle prod of choice for TPTB to use against countries and pols that will not immediately effect the desired changes or institute the desired policies. Typical carrot and stick psychology. All this in an effort to create one centralized EU government.

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 20:12 | Link to Comment Hard1
Hard1's picture

Earth has been just downgraded by the Stellar and Planetary Ratings (S&P), a MRSO (Milky way Recognized Statical Organization) to triple Zed minus outlook negative.  Saturn has outlook positive as the new methodoligy consideres that lack of life is better than lack of intelligent life.

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 21:55 | Link to Comment WonderDawg
WonderDawg's picture

You're probably on the right track. The ratings agencies definitely have a less than pure motive for this. Who stands to gain if S&P drops the ratings? What would likely be the reaction and who benefits? If you can figure that out, you can make the right play. I'm just not sure I can accurately anticipate the reaction and how to position myself.

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:49 | Link to Comment 1000pips
1000pips's picture

Already baked in. No big deal. S&P does not matter. Euro/USD to $1.40 in a couple of weeks. Enjoy the holidays with your family. Everything is set up for 2012 to be a HUGE years for the markets. May even set new highs. Trade accordingly.

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:57 | Link to Comment barliman
barliman's picture

 

 

Rahm?  Is that you? Sheeeeeeit ...I almost didn't recognize you without you dropping the F-bomb.

Don't let me distract you from distracting - be cool.

DA

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 18:03 | Link to Comment mayhem_korner
mayhem_korner's picture

 

 

Is it mandatory for trolls to have the red-white-and-blue, Robo-Hamy?

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 18:18 | Link to Comment 1000pips
1000pips's picture

Any one who post the truth on this site is called a 'troll', the market has almost doubled in 3 yrs. All this time you chicken little fools have been posting 'the sky is falling'. You must almost be broke now, shorting this market is a suckers move--but hey, maybe you dumb asses like that. Peace on earth, Dow to 15,000 in 2012.

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 18:22 | Link to Comment RichardENixon
RichardENixon's picture

If the Dow goes to 15,000 in 2012 it will be about 500 points higher than when stupid fucks like you went all in back in 2007.

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 19:02 | Link to Comment Teamtc321
Teamtc321's picture

1000, I suggest you take a look at this interview with Mr. Bass. http://www.zerohedge.com/news/kyle-bass-explains-new-world-order

 

Enjoy if you havn't yet viewed the clip. 

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 19:05 | Link to Comment cranky-old-geezer
cranky-old-geezer's picture

 

 

Your rising Dow came at the expense of debasing the US dollar 1/3 since '08.  You stock bulls never talk about that. 

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 22:56 | Link to Comment barliman
barliman's picture

 

"Any one who post the truth on this site is called a 'troll', the market has almost doubled in 3 yrs."

Troll ... no.

Truth .... usually takes more than a snippy soundbite ... and on ZH your credibility takes time to be established. Spouting "green shoots" propaganda regarding markets, economies and sovereign states is a guaranteed method to demonstrate your ignorance beyond all doubt.

Besides, you'll be much happier getting back to WoW than you will be hanging around here.

barliman

P.S. Tyler, much as I hate to say it - can we bring captchas back to weed out the illiterate?

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 18:08 | Link to Comment He_Who Carried ...
He_Who Carried The Sun's picture
In Which S&P Says France May Get Two Notch Downgrade  WHICH IN TURN WILL LEAD TO QUICK AND PROMPT DEMISE OF ALL S&P managers, who still need to get a life after failing each and everybody in 1999, and in 2008!
They should be hung by their nostrils! lol
Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:27 | Link to Comment Marcuz Aurelius
Marcuz Aurelius's picture

That was what ? a Half-life of 4 Hours for the Eurocrats ?

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:28 | Link to Comment GeneMarchbanks
GeneMarchbanks's picture

S&P: We may cut you!

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:28 | Link to Comment Vlad
Vlad's picture

Belgium should already be cut.

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:37 | Link to Comment cossack55
cossack55's picture

Belgium gets a minor boost for not having a gubmint.  The US would be back to AAA if we disband our criminal gubmint.

Whats up with the cancelled Czechs?

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:52 | Link to Comment bank guy in Brussels
bank guy in Brussels's picture

In fact, in Belgium we do now have a government, after 541 days. Our good King of the Belgians, Albert II, has just appointed it after the successful coalition negotiations were completed.

Our new Prime Minister, Elio di Rupo, is quite a good chap. He is of Italian heritage, a gay man, and the leader of the French-speaking Socialist Party in Belgium. He is charming and looks quite dapper in the bow tie he usually wears, but perhaps some Americans will not quite like his profile.

Americans are probably not quite ready for a gay socialist as head of government, but Mr di Rupo is quite all right with us here in Belgium.

Words and meanings: Americans use 'socialism' to mean something like 'fascism', which they greatly suffer, whereas here we use 'liberal' as someone who has strong free-market views.

Too bad Americans have never really experienced government working well, and giving just about every citizen a good life, like we have here. And Americans get sadly distracted from their real enemies, by anti-gay, anti-Muslim, anti-Mexican, and other bigotries.

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:55 | Link to Comment knukles
knukles's picture

Never fear, Barney Frank's here.

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 18:07 | Link to Comment Johnny B Good
Johnny B Good's picture

Who cares ?

Whats the name of the mayor of Washington D.C. ?

Belgium is a neutral ground where the government of the EU is located so that no nation (of importance) can claim to rule europe.

Test it youself:

"Belgium is the ruler of Europe!"

Sounds funny doesn't it ?

As a matter of fact, Belgium was founded in the 19th century as a neutral ground / battlefield for Europes great powers so they don't have to scorche their own land in minor conflicts and have a nice background for parleys.

 

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 18:23 | Link to Comment GoodMorningMr.V...
GoodMorningMr.VanRumpoy...'s picture

 

Belgium is a case example of the fallacy and failure of the concept of multi -culturalism.

Belgium has largely devolved into two separate nations under one flag,

In the north The Dutch-speaking Flemish Community people of the Flanders region

 

French-speaking  people of the Walloon region in the south. 

The two different ethnic groups have been feuding and that’s why it took a full 1 year and ½ to form a government.  Even the road signs are written in different language depending on the region.

Most likely the entity known as “Belgium” will   fall apart once they are forced to institute austerity and have to fight over which region takes the biggest hit.

 

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:54 | Link to Comment Black Forest
Black Forest's picture

Whats up with the cancelled Czechs?

They have never been part of the eurozone, their currency is CZK.

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:53 | Link to Comment hugovanderbubble
hugovanderbubble's picture

DEXIA

KBC

AEGON

BANKRUPTED

 

Just ANTWERP has any potential value as a big harbor....

BELGIUM will be splitted into 3 countries....like Yugoslavia...and in a couple years Spain...NEOBALKANIZATION COMING (in belgium and spain...and who knows in more euro countries...as FISCAL HARMONIZATION IS AN ODYSSEY...UTOPIA

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:28 | Link to Comment redpill
redpill's picture

Please keep your hands an arms inside the boat at all times, and enjoy your ride on The Downward Spiral (tm)!

 

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:33 | Link to Comment JPM Hater001
JPM Hater001's picture

Weeeee~~~!!!!

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 18:03 | Link to Comment bigdumbnugly
bigdumbnugly's picture

the final thrill ride for all turds.

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:29 | Link to Comment SheepDog-One
SheepDog-One's picture

So in other words theyre trying to scare the ECB into printing?

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:33 | Link to Comment GeneMarchbanks
GeneMarchbanks's picture

Of course. Austerity... was tried. Fail. See Greece.

Nothin' left...

 

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:33 | Link to Comment Vincent Vega
Vincent Vega's picture

Perhaps they are just trying to give that apperance, Sheep. Perhaps this is all part of the script to give cover to Fed to print. Who knows any more...it is all so FUBAR.

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:36 | Link to Comment SheepDog-One
SheepDog-One's picture

I dont know who they have to hide from or fool in order to print....who is there to stop them?

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:41 | Link to Comment Vincent Vega
Vincent Vega's picture

Good point...I breifly thought Congress but they are impotent.

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:50 | Link to Comment bigdumbnugly
bigdumbnugly's picture

is that ebonics for important or did you mean utterly useless?

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:49 | Link to Comment centerline
centerline's picture

It's about placing the blame - redirection.  Politicians take the next hit.  Then people will take the ultimate and final hit.  That should work wonders for divide and conquer as well.  In this case, divide and liquidate.  Public versus private, haves versus have not, political party A against political party B, young versus old, cat owners against dog owners, prego versus ragu, etc.

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:48 | Link to Comment vote_libertaria...
vote_libertarian_party's picture

That is my question.  What is considered negative?

 

If they (Euroland) all agree to print a Trillion Euros in funny money and push defaults out 2 years is that good?

 

If they say no to printing, no more new debt but there are a lot of bond write offs is that good because they would finally be improving the situation (after the write-offs, theoretically)

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:29 | Link to Comment Matt1973
Matt1973's picture

who cut the cheese ?

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:34 | Link to Comment JPM Hater001
JPM Hater001's picture

I think it was Nigel Farage.  Well, first smelt first delt?

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:36 | Link to Comment hugovanderbubble
hugovanderbubble's picture

No Cheese for bad mouse...

 

AND WHEN UK WILL BE DOWNGRADED???????????????????????????????'

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:39 | Link to Comment txsilverbug
txsilverbug's picture

This would be that expensive swiss cheese right?  Not that fake ass french cheese..

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:53 | Link to Comment The 100 Trillio...
The 100 Trillion Dollar Man's picture

tomorrow!

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:30 | Link to Comment txsilverbug
txsilverbug's picture

Who gave S&P their scissors and balls back?

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:30 | Link to Comment knukles
knukles's picture

Why not save time and just state that "All the European countries who have been recently decribed as fucked will be cut."

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:30 | Link to Comment SheepDog-One
SheepDog-One's picture

Cuts to already poor pensioners....all time record bonuses for the worthless world bankster pirates.

See? FIXED!

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 18:35 | Link to Comment RichardENixon
RichardENixon's picture

"We see no realistic chance of Hurricane Katrina coming anywhere near the New Orleans Metropolitan Area"--Ben Bernanke Head of National Hurricane Center August, 2005

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:31 | Link to Comment fonzanoon
fonzanoon's picture

If they cut Estonia the whole thing collapses. France and Germany are one thing. But if Estonia goes...

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:34 | Link to Comment GeneMarchbanks
GeneMarchbanks's picture

I've always said "Estonia is the fulcrum..."

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:43 | Link to Comment Iwanttoknow
Iwanttoknow's picture

Why?

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:58 | Link to Comment fonzanoon
fonzanoon's picture

I don't have the time nor the inclination to explain why Estonia is the fulcrum but he is right, it is. I will be up all night dreading Asia's reaction to this news about Estonia. I fear for the safety of Estonian's abroad. May people treat them like human beings and not blame them for Estonia's role in this crisis.

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 19:29 | Link to Comment Dave Thomas
Dave Thomas's picture

Epic sax guy is from Estonia. They know how to party!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHy7DGLTt8g

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 20:59 | Link to Comment TheFourthStooge-ing
TheFourthStooge-ing's picture

It's the towels - they're from Estonia.

 

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 18:00 | Link to Comment tekhneek
tekhneek's picture

You trying to outwit yourself?

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 18:02 | Link to Comment fonzanoon
fonzanoon's picture

In a showing of respect for Estonian's the world over I will now recite their national anthem...."Estonia, Estonia...we like stones and the letter E! We put these two things together... and forever it shall be!!"

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 18:36 | Link to Comment RichardENixon
RichardENixon's picture

Nice beat and you can dance to it. I give it a 50.

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 18:09 | Link to Comment falak pema
falak pema's picture

If Estonia is the fulcrum then Lithuania must be fulsome and Latvia crumsome. Now we can make German borsch.

These S&P shills must know how to make fukked up duck soup that even the Marx Brothers would love to eat.

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:32 | Link to Comment BlueStreet
BlueStreet's picture

So we should probably expect some kind of global coordinated effort to save mankind tomorrow morning. 

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:38 | Link to Comment Tsar Pointless
Tsar Pointless's picture

Agreed.

I mean, it's been a whole six days since the last one, so we're about due.

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 18:53 | Link to Comment Freebird
Freebird's picture

Surely a global counterfeiting effort...

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 20:45 | Link to Comment cranky-old-geezer
cranky-old-geezer's picture

 

 

Not save mankind, save banks.  It's all about saving banks (and bonuses) now.  Has been since '08. 

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:34 | Link to Comment Tuffmug
Tuffmug's picture

As we remain deep in the rabbit hole, I suspect S&P also issued a STRONG BUY rating on every country they said they may CUT.

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:34 | Link to Comment hugovanderbubble
hugovanderbubble's picture

Vatican City : Downgraded to Junk - Banca Ambrosiana II Part.

Andorra: COLLAPSED

Lietschestein: OFFSHORE PARADISE

MALTA: THE INCREDIBLE OFFSHORE KINGDOM

CATALONIA: C-

COMUNITAT VALENCIANA Hyper C

TRANSNITRIA JUNK

MOLDOVA C^2

------------------------------------------------

PLEASE KILL THE RATING AGENCIES NOW....WHAT A BUNCH OF TERRORISTS

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:43 | Link to Comment The Swedish Chef
The Swedish Chef's picture

No, please let them continue to sink those separatists assholes in to the ground. Everything that makes the neonazionals of the different Spanish regions turn to Madrid is good.

 

Que no son españoles, son hijos de puta!

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:50 | Link to Comment hugovanderbubble
hugovanderbubble's picture

The problem of spain are the corruption and the ultraleverage of all Comunidades Autonomas.

Madrid,

Valencia

Barcelona

Andalucia

Are all in default

-

In few years Spain will be a new balkans but in Iberia....hope not a war involved....but for disgrace,,,this country will not continue as a unity...." TOO MANY CONFLICT of INTERESTS"

Catalonia wants the independence

Vasque Country too...

---------

I agree with them, its better to break down the Unity and stablish new system-government.... the current doestn works...SPECIALLY COS CORRUPTION.

---

So Tough times coming inside Spain for 2-3 years... Difficult task for new government, i think honestly they cannot sustain this country cos revolts,riots and strikes will collapse any kind of" recovery". Spain is collapsed

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:51 | Link to Comment goldenrod
goldenrod's picture

I sent this Spanish sentence via SMS to 1-408-357-4840 and got the following English translation back in seconds on my phone:

Who are not Spanish are bastards!

 

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:54 | Link to Comment The Swedish Chef
The Swedish Chef's picture

Literal translation: "They are not Spaniards, they are sons of whores" 

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 18:04 | Link to Comment tekhneek
tekhneek's picture

I'd gladly get downgraded if it meant a few hours with that avatar of yours...

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 19:19 | Link to Comment Teamtc321
Teamtc321's picture

Is she trying to get a cookie?

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 19:34 | Link to Comment Dave Thomas
Dave Thomas's picture

I think she lost her car keys.

 

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 18:19 | Link to Comment richard in norway
richard in norway's picture

better translation is "they are not spaniards, they are english"

 

 

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 18:22 | Link to Comment richard in norway
richard in norway's picture

spainish nickname for the english is sons of the great whore. dont know why but it seems every nation has a nasty nickname for us apart from norway

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:34 | Link to Comment YesWeKahn
YesWeKahn's picture

Italy "republic", LOL

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:53 | Link to Comment knukles
knukles's picture

California Republic.
Don't laugh, it's part of the Good Olde U S of A.

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:34 | Link to Comment Racer
Racer's picture

In other words going on previous timeliness of CRA's those gummints have exploDEADed already

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:34 | Link to Comment bingo was his name
bingo was his name's picture

Meanwhile back at the ranch

Rosanne Barr is learning the words to Italian national athem

and Uncle Ben is figuring out which helicopter to travel the world in 

 

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:36 | Link to Comment Racer
Racer's picture

I think he needs to do a Matrix version of himself..... to end up the same way!

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:35 | Link to Comment The Swedish Chef
The Swedish Chef's picture

"Continuing disagreements among European policy makers on how to tackle the immediate market confidence crisis and, longer term, how to ensure greater  economic, financial, and fiscal convergence among eurozone members"

 

Oh, I´m so fucking sorry, I didn´t realize the Fourth Reich was a neccessity to avoid a downgrade. We´ll fix that right quick in a hurry for you. Heil Merkel! Hey, that has a nice ring to it....

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:56 | Link to Comment hugovanderbubble
hugovanderbubble's picture

FIscal Convergence is an utopia.

European Countries has lost the game.

GAME OVER

Now we have to pay for the mistakes we have made.

END

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:35 | Link to Comment TradingJoe
TradingJoe's picture

Nah! It's "stable" so...rally on folks! DeMark just gave the TA bazooka, 1330-1340 by Dec 21st, right in time for Santa, eh?!

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:35 | Link to Comment Hondo
Hondo's picture

Anyone with an Debt/Equity ratio over 65% is to be deemed a systemic risk in which all equity must be wiped out and any debt become what ever equity is left.....

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:35 | Link to Comment Pancho Villa
Pancho Villa's picture

Italy, Spain still have A ratings. What a joke!

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:38 | Link to Comment navy62802
navy62802's picture

... until they're not.

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:43 | Link to Comment SheepDog-One
SheepDog-One's picture

Yea whats really the point? Ratings seem to mean a hill of damn beans....everyone 'downgraded' but nothing is really effected by it.

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:51 | Link to Comment knukles
knukles's picture

Ewwwww
Not true...
Collateral postings, margins as they apply to swaps, etc. are directly impacted by ratings whether warrnated or not.  
Could have some large dislocations amongst private participants/counterparties

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:35 | Link to Comment txsilverbug
txsilverbug's picture

Long on scissors biatches!

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:35 | Link to Comment azzhatter
azzhatter's picture

Slovakia has like a 23% debt/GDP , Netherlands is like 64% Debt/GDP

 

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:36 | Link to Comment ZeroPower
ZeroPower's picture

Currently, we expect output to decline next year in countries such as Spain, 
Portugal and Greece,

Output decline? Oh no, time to stock up on.... i have no idea, cause nothing I buy is from there. Ill just write Ouzo to save them the humility.

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:37 | Link to Comment SheepDog-One
SheepDog-One's picture

'Spanish rice' and Ouzo? I dont know...

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:41 | Link to Comment The Swedish Chef
The Swedish Chef's picture

Don´t know about the other PIIGS but Spain does supply a lot of agricultural produce to the rest of Europe nad they actually build cars too.

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:48 | Link to Comment knukles
knukles's picture

And?

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:50 | Link to Comment The Swedish Chef
The Swedish Chef's picture

And that is the peice of information that fills the previous posters lack of knowledege. Now fuck off.

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:59 | Link to Comment knukles
knukles's picture

LOL

That's like my wife telling me to keep the garbage cans about 1' to the left for whatever the fucking reason I cannot fathom.

Thank you.
(face in palms)

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 18:32 | Link to Comment ZeroPower
ZeroPower's picture

DOnt like the produce answer. Every country has its own farmers, just depends on the consumer willing to buy stuff flown in or local/organic things.

Right on about Sey-ats though. Didnt know they still make those.

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:36 | Link to Comment Tsar Pointless
Tsar Pointless's picture

Sure. Now it's time to cut sovereign credit ratings, because the proles need to be bailed out after socializing losses for those who gained privately.

Oh, well. That's fascism for ya!

Oh - and for me, too.

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:36 | Link to Comment A Man without Q...
A Man without Qualities's picture

I think the easiest way to make money in this market is to wait for any announcement from Sarkozy of a grand plan to fix everything, wait for the little bump and then get very short.  It's been working nicely for me....

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:38 | Link to Comment txsilverbug
txsilverbug's picture

markets go up on the lie and back down on the truth.  Your method works fine.  Wait for the lie, and then buy truth.

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:50 | Link to Comment A Man without Q...
A Man without Qualities's picture

The fact of the matter is that the French were so happy to embrace the Euro project because they saw it as a perfect way for them to get Germany to fund their bloated welfare state economy.  I used to amuse myself by trying to dig deeper into the economic data produced by the French government, and the glaringly obvious fact was it was bullshit.  The funny thing was I have never come across a banker or economist who genuinely believes the French GDP numbers (apart from some French ones who just get angry that you dare question the glory of France.)  I think it started with de Gaulle's obsession with getting the GDP above the UK, and it's just carried on.  There's all sorts of horror stories hidden in the state owned entities like SNCF and RFF which owns the actual rail network, and never mind all the regions and municipalities.

Anyway, Sarkozy's clearly desperate to get to the point were Merkel agrees to cross guarantee debts, he will promise to stick to the fiscal rules (but will make sure there are still the usual loopholes, eg derivatives, no independent verification of data) and then they can carry on living the easy life for a while longer.

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 21:00 | Link to Comment cranky-old-geezer
cranky-old-geezer's picture

 

 

The fact of the matter is that the French were so happy to embrace the Euro project because they saw it as a perfect way for them to get Germany to fund their bloated welfare state economy

And Germany joined the Euro project to eventually get sovereign authority over France (and the rest of Europe) without firing a shot.

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:36 | Link to Comment TruthInSunshine
TruthInSunshine's picture

Atlantis = BBB-

Ambrosia = C+

Hopiumbria = DDD

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:47 | Link to Comment end da fed
end da fed's picture

Narnia= AA-

Naboo= BBB+

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:51 | Link to Comment BlackSunshine
BlackSunshine's picture

Me DDD

Wife DDD-

Kids FFF

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:37 | Link to Comment JJSF
JJSF's picture

Hearing S&P may lower France two notches

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:42 | Link to Comment lizzy36
lizzy36's picture

 HEARING FROM TYLERS ORGINAL POST??

and by up to two notches for the other governments.  [THIS MEANS FRANCE]

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 22:07 | Link to Comment WonderDawg
WonderDawg's picture

So you did read the headline.

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:40 | Link to Comment pkea
pkea's picture

I would wait to get quad short until march 2012

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:40 | Link to Comment lizzy36
lizzy36's picture

Nice Monday Massacre.

Now what will be this Wednesday's Coordinated action response?

Also RIP EFSF....Too bad about the 12% the dealers had to keep on books after last EUR3B bond. Couldn't have happened to a nicer bunch of Banks..

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:40 | Link to Comment SheepDog-One
SheepDog-One's picture

So whats it all mean, man?

This translates into the equity market futures being up by another 1.5% again tomorrow morning?

Somethings wrong with this whole picture, we've been on the edge of implosion for the last 12 months at least, but for whatever reason theres always a stick save today, and good news for tomorrow.

Everyone can see the wheels are going to fly off, but its never today, and not tomorrow either. Some Groundhog Day nonsense we're in.

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:48 | Link to Comment txsilverbug
txsilverbug's picture

I wouldn't say everyone.. Maybe everyone if a commercial ran during DWTS but I cant see everyone putting any interest in whats going on over there, they just don't understand it.  Most people have the "government will take care of it" attitude with no real understanding that the governments here and over in Europe are the problem. Beans and bullets for me.

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 22:10 | Link to Comment WonderDawg
WonderDawg's picture

Word.

I talk to friends and associates, ask them if they've been watching what's going on in Europe. "Not really", is the typical response.

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:41 | Link to Comment Sophist Economicus
Sophist Economicus's picture

Won't do a thing -- Market isn't going down yet -- we have more meetings and short covering to go through...Shorting this baby will be one hell of a gamble in the short run

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:46 | Link to Comment SheepDog-One
SheepDog-One's picture

Ok so when will the meetings be over? We've been doing this shit for a year, 3 years really. And are the shorts actually this stupid? I dont think its shorts in the markets fueling short squeeze rallies, I think its the FED providing short interest with free taxpayer money.

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:42 | Link to Comment Caviar Emptor
Caviar Emptor's picture

US rated more corrupt than Italy or Ghana

The Corruption Perceptions Index ranks countries/territories based on how corrupt their public sector is perceived to be. 

http://cpi.transparency.org/cpi2011/results/

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:47 | Link to Comment There is No Spoon
There is No Spoon's picture

not according to the link you provided

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 18:33 | Link to Comment Caviar Emptor
Caviar Emptor's picture

Check again. US #23 in the world 

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 18:55 | Link to Comment There is No Spoon
There is No Spoon's picture

Italy and Ghana tied for #69 in the world with scores of 3.9 vs. U.S. score of 7.1

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:42 | Link to Comment GOSPLAN HERO
GOSPLAN HERO's picture

California (Kingdom of) BBB-

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:52 | Link to Comment kaiserhoff
kaiserhoff's picture

People's Republic of Santa Monica   F-

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:46 | Link to Comment knukles
knukles's picture

An to zeees ze French say: "Why ze fook ees zee Engleesh not on ze leest?  Zees ess totallleee unacksepteeball.  Sillie.  Yes, zat ees sillie.  Phtttt."
And Mr. Sarkozy redacts his comment about not letting Angie show them her penis which is bigger than his penis, worrying that Angie just might show her penis.
And Angie says, "Vat!?! Sarko, you little shiessekpoff.  Vhen I get my hands upon you, I shall poke you mit mine peniscular monstrosiare een ze end of your Matterhorn until you squeal like zee piggies."

Schadenfreude, Bitches
:)
For all the fucking pissing and bitching and moaning the Europeans did after Lehman 1.0, about how they were all pure and innocent like nautral floral spectacles blooming upon heaven's gate, gentle to the touch, blessed by the higher power of useless political promulgation, obfuscation and irritation, never to be the source of troubles or pain.
Fuck you, very much.
Karma Lives

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:45 | Link to Comment Carlyle Groupie
Carlyle Groupie's picture

Sooooo. Now we all believe the rating agencies?

Which is it?

Or maybe I figured it out. We believe then disbelieve based on the Chinese Calendar. This year, The year of the Squid!

Believe Bitchez!

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:47 | Link to Comment SheepDog-One
SheepDog-One's picture

No I dont believe the rating agencies because all of these countries, and the U.S., should have a rating of C- at best, if ratings actually meant a damn thing.

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:56 | Link to Comment Carlyle Groupie
Carlyle Groupie's picture

I'm with you SD#1.

Tyler could have saved a lot of typing by just consulting with you. You're a power Tweeter, I can tell.

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:46 | Link to Comment Elwood P Suggins
Elwood P Suggins's picture

Hope one of the perks S&P employees have is a good bodyguard. 

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:49 | Link to Comment txsilverbug
txsilverbug's picture

Another perk is that the S&P analysts get to go work for the companies they rated...

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:47 | Link to Comment Schmuck Raker
Schmuck Raker's picture

And the next Fed séance is when?

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:48 | Link to Comment ForWhomTheTollBuilds
ForWhomTheTollBuilds's picture

Because I know nothing of the world and its ways, let me ask:

 

Is S&P trying to get themselves banned from rating Eurozone govts?  This has been threatened by the beaurocrats before.  Maybe if the S&P forces their hand by screaming, "we are about to downgrade you!!!", they will be banned and the ratings won't fall during the time the S&P is legally operating in Europe. 

 

That way, everyone can escape (political) blame for whats to come?

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:48 | Link to Comment yogibear
yogibear's picture

Super socialist France should be downgraded to garbage. Socialism works great until you run out of other people's money.

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:51 | Link to Comment txsilverbug
txsilverbug's picture

Or inflating your way out of debt with the 'not a single fuck was given' attitude.

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:51 | Link to Comment JustObserving
JustObserving's picture

The US prints trillions and fudges its data (unemployment, GDP, CPI etc) and has a debt and unfunded liabiliities growth of $23.84 billion a day.  Europe tries to prevent printing and everyday their debt is attacked and sovereign ratings are under threat of being downgraded. In a bizzaro world, the US dollar becomes the fount of value and safety.

Don't be honest in a dishonest world, Europe - fire up the printing presses and your bonds will be worth much more since there will be no more default risk. An insane world requires insane actions.

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:52 | Link to Comment magpie
Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:53 | Link to Comment Sweet Chicken
Sweet Chicken's picture

There's no earthly way of knowing
Which direction we are going
There's no knowing where we're rowing
Or which way the river's flowing

Is it raining, is it snowing
Is a hurricane a-blowing

Not a speck of light is showing
So the danger must be growing
Are the fires of Hell a-glowing
Is the grisly reaper mowing

Yes, the danger must be growing
For the rowers keep on rowing
And they're certainly not showing
Any signs that they are slowing

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:53 | Link to Comment Nothing real here
Nothing real here's picture

We got a 490 point rally after S&P downgraded the banks in after hours last Wednesday.  Wouldn't this prospective downgrade warrant an all-time positive move on the Dow?

 

 

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 18:02 | Link to Comment Carlyle Groupie
Carlyle Groupie's picture

Cyprus got hit and that's where most of the black money is hidden. That tends to get the PtB nervous. That and the Seychelles. Downgrade that bish and S&P will fall like a rock.

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:55 | Link to Comment Widowmaker
Widowmaker's picture

ZH loses credibility by asserting any sort of cred of the ratings agencies.

...Bullshit & P Inc.

"No one sees it coming."

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 18:00 | Link to Comment The 100 Trillio...
The 100 Trillion Dollar Man's picture

This is all just a headfake to downgrade France by one notch. Later this month that's all that will happen.

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 18:00 | Link to Comment mayhem_korner
mayhem_korner's picture

 

 

'mazing how many words these guys need to use to try to tip-toe around the obvious.  And then a bunch of others will wake up tomorrow, caffeine-up, and write bunches of other words to describe the market's interpretation of S&P's words.

It's the "maybe we can save him...he's just a little dead" delusion.

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 18:02 | Link to Comment I am Jobe
I am Jobe's picture

For something completely  different- Tyler something to joke about

 Putting the Interests of the American People Ahead of Politics

http://www.treasury.gov/connect/blog/Pages/Putting-the-Interests-of-the-...

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 18:07 | Link to Comment I am Jobe
I am Jobe's picture

I think there are a few more countries to be added.

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 18:07 | Link to Comment Elwood P Suggins
Elwood P Suggins's picture

S&P to the Euro Zone:

 

Leverage This!

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 18:07 | Link to Comment yogibear
yogibear's picture

One problem with inflating is that commodity cost ram you real hard.  No wage power. Far better for the banksters to take their bad bets than socializing the losses.

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 18:12 | Link to Comment Mister Ponzi
Mister Ponzi's picture

S&P going nuclear... This is huge. A lot of real money accounts in Europe (insurers, pension funds, etc.) have very strict investment guidelines. A collective loss of AAA ratings will be a big problem. Also: Italy may be cut two notches to BBB+. In the BBB sphere, many investors will have to reduce exposure significantly or change guidelines (tough task!). A cut outlined by S&P will have an immense impact on Europe's investement landscape.

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 18:13 | Link to Comment Mr.Kowalski
Mr.Kowalski's picture

Lets give Bernanke credit this week for a stick save of the European banking system anyways. Given the ugly opposition Coburn displayed on Friday and the political cost to Obama when it gets out that we're possibly bailing out Italy, some are saying that Bernanke's artillery has run out of shells. I say never underestimate a desperate banker's willingness to print money and bypass the laws of the land. It's a weird irony that the ECB, which does follow their laws, is being bailed out by a central bank that shamefully obeys no one.

 

http://themeanoldinvestor.blogspot.com/2011/12/us-cavalry-arrives.html

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 18:18 | Link to Comment Curtis LeMay
Curtis LeMay's picture

It's about damn time the rating agencies got on the ball-they fell asleep in '07 and '08...

S&P is also stating the fucking obvious. Which sovereign wealth fund manager or some bond heavyweight woukd even consider buying now euro-junk-bonds? In fact, the money has been running away from euro-junk-bonds for months now as it is...

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 18:28 | Link to Comment slewie the pi-rat
slewie the pi-rat's picture

 

 

"And a very Merry Christmas to you, Mr. Scrooge!"

lotsa stuff, here for stuffing stockings...germAAAny? ...hmmm...

well, ...they have been advised!

are they still doing that thing where nobody wants to be "it", meaning the person whose decision ends the happy however-many nations' attempt at driving everyone batshit?   L0L!!!

 

 

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