NORTH AMERICA

摘要

US companies with good credit quality will be able to afford the 0.25% increase in short- term interest rates announced by the US Federal Reserve, but credit risk will increase for some weaker companies because refinance risk will rise for them as interest rates edge higher and the debt market becomes increasingly risk averse, says Moody's Investors Service. Credit suppliers could either decline to extend credit to companies with weak business fundamentals and aggressive capital structures, or only offer such companies credit at prohibitive prices. "The companies facing the most challenging credit conditions are mostly in the oil and gas industry and in the services sector," said Bill Wolfe, a Moody's senior vice president.