S&P cuts Hong Kong credit rating after downgrading China for first time since 1999

Concerns over ballooning debt

Anna Fedorova
clock • 2 min read

S&P Global Ratings has downgraded Hong Kong credit a day after lowering the sovereign credit rating for China for the first time since 1999 on concerns over soaring debt levels, while revising its outlook for the country from stable to negative.

S&P stripped Hong Kong of its AAA rating on Friday, lowering this to AA+, saying this reflects "potential spillover risks to the SAR [Hong Kong special administrative region] should deleveraging in China prove to be more disruptive than we currently expect". Earlier this year, Moody's also cut Hong Kong's rating by one notch on fears over contagion from China.  In a statement on Thursday, the ratings agency said it had cut its sovereign debt rating for China by one notch to A+ from AA-.  Its analysts also cut the ratings on three foreign banks with primary operations in China - HSB...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Economics / Markets

Five-fold surge in advisers buying gilts for clients in 2024

Five-fold surge in advisers buying gilts for clients in 2024

AJ Bell finds 436% increase in gilt purchases on its Investcentre

Isabel Baxter
clock 10 February 2025 • 1 min read
Bank of England cuts interest rates by 25bps to lowest level in 18 months

Bank of England cuts interest rates by 25bps to lowest level in 18 months

First MPC meeting of the year

Sorin Dojan
clock 06 February 2025 • 3 min read
Trump's realised tariff threats sends markets and currencies into a tailspin

Trump's realised tariff threats sends markets and currencies into a tailspin

US sets sights on EU next

Eve Maddock-Jones
clock 03 February 2025 • 2 min read