Standard & Poor's scale of credit ratings

These are Standard & Poor's ratings for debt, and the company's definition for each rating.

Ratings below can have a "plus" or "minus." The U.S. rating was lowered from AAA to AA+.

AAA — Extremely strong capacity to meet financial commitments. Highest Rating.

AA — Very strong capacity to meet financial commitments.

A — Strong capacity to meet financial commitments, but somewhat susceptible to adverse economic conditions and changes in circumstances.

BBB — Adequate capacity to meet financial commitments, but more subject to adverse economic conditions.

BBB- — Considered lowest investment grade by market participants.

BB+ — Considered highest speculative grade by market participants.

BB — Less vulnerable in the near-term but faces major ongoing uncertainties to adverse business, financial and economic conditions.

B — More vulnerable to adverse business, financial and economic conditions but currently has the capacity to meet financial commitments.

CCC — Currently vulnerable and dependent on favorable business, financial and economic conditions to meet financial commitments.

CC — Currently highly vulnerable.

C — Currently highly vulnerable obligations and other defined circumstances.

D — Payment default on financial commitments.