by Brai Odion-Esene

by Brai Odion-Esene

WASHINGTON (MNI) - Standard & Poor's Thursday gave a vote of confidence in the U.S. dollar, saying it believes the dollar will continue to be the key international currency, a position that it will retain "so long as inflation is moderate and stable, financial markets are sound and relatively unfettered, and U.S. government spending is efficient and sustainable."

LONDON (MNI) - Fitch Ratings has decided to keep its current rating on Greece at BBB+ and on negative outlook following the additional fiscal austerity measures announced by the country today.

Paul Rawkins, a Senior Director in Fitch's Sovereign Ratings group said that the plan showed that Greece is 'indeed serious' about cutting its deficit:

FRANKFURT (MNI) - The following is the text of a press release from Moody's Investor Service, released Wednesday:

LONDON (MNI) - A material deviation from Greece's current fiscal consolidation plan would lead to adowngrade of its sovereign rating, Moody's Investors Services said today.

LONDON (MNI) - The large 'AAA' sovereign borrowers - like the US, UK, France and Germany - have 'exceptional financing flexibility', Fitch Ratings said today, but warned this is not enough to maintain their current rating.

The major AAA states must set out further credible consolidation plans in 2010 to secure their triple-A ratings, the ratings agency announced today in its 'Sovereign Review and Outlook' for 2010:

LONDON (MNI) - The large 'AAA' sovereign borrowers - like the US, UK, France and Germany - have 'exceptional financing flexibility', Fitch Ratings said today, but warned this is not enough to maintain their current rating.

The major AAA states must set out further credible consolidation plans in 2010 to secure their triple-A ratings, the ratings agency announced today in its 'Sovereign Review and Outlook' for 2010:

LONDON (MNI) - The ratings of AAA-rated EU governments "seem secure at the moment", Moody's Investor Services said Wednesday.

In its latest EU Sovereign Outlook report, Moody's says the 'AAA' ratings of France and Germany are not in question.