Rating agencies set for renewed attacks

Greek tragedy will keep the political spotlight firmly on the market power of the big three

The reactions of rating agencies to last week’s new €109bn bailout for Greece is unlikely to ease the tension with European politicians, who have been attacking them for months.

Whether the agencies finally go for selective or restricted default - meaning the country will default as an issuer, but only some of its bonds will be downgraded - or whether they upgrade Greece to a slightly better class of junk, the damage is already done.

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