Current United States credit ratings, according to the main rating agencies, provide a snapshot of the country’s creditworthiness and financial stability. These ratings are critical for understanding how international and domestic investors perceive United States ability to honor its financial commitments.
The ratings are determined by comprehensive evaluations conducted by major credit rating agencies such as Standard & Poor's (S&P), Moody's, and Fitch Ratings. Each of these agencies uses a distinct rating scale and methodology to assess the economic and financial health of United States, taking into account various factors such as economic performance, fiscal policies, political stability, and debt levels.
The table below shows the current United States credit ratings, according to the main rating agencies.
| Rating Agency | Rating | Outlook | Last Update | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard & Poor's | AA+ | - | 10 Jun 2013 | outlook upgrade |
| Moody's Investors Service | Aaa | negative | 11 Nov 2023 | outlook downgrade |
| Fitch Ratings | AA+ | - | 2 Aug 2023 | rating downgrade |
| DBRS | AAA | - | 28 Jul 2023 | outlook upgrade |
United States: Long-term Rating Scales Comparison
United States long-term credit ratings, as assigned by major rating agencies, offer a comparative insight into the country's creditworthiness over an extended period. Each rating agency uses its own scale to evaluate the credit risk associated with United States sovereign debt. These scales help investors understand the likelihood that United States will meet its financial obligations.
Symbol means a negative outlook.
| Grade | Description | S&P | Moody's | Fitch | DBRS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Investment Grade |
Prime |
AAA
|
Aaa
|
AAA
|
AAA
|
| High Medium Grade |
AA+
|
Aa1
|
AA+
|
AA(high)
|
|
|
AA
|
Aa2
|
AA
|
AA
|
||
|
AA-
|
Aa3
|
AA-
|
AA(low)
|
||
| Upper Medium Grade |
A+
|
A1
|
A+
|
A(high)
|
|
|
A
|
A2
|
A
|
A
|
||
|
A-
|
A3
|
A-
|
A(low)
|
||
| Lower Medium Grade |
BBB+
|
Baa1
|
BBB+
|
BBB(high)
|
|
|
BBB
|
Baa2
|
BBB
|
BBB
|
||
|
BBB-
|
Baa3
|
BBB-
|
BBB(low)
|
||
|
Speculative Grade |
Speculative |
BB+
|
Ba1
|
BB+
|
BB(high)
|
|
BB
|
Ba2
|
BB
|
BB
|
||
|
BB-
|
Ba3
|
BB-
|
BB(low)
|
||
| Highly Speculative |
B+
|
B1
|
B+
|
B(high)
|
|
|
B
|
B2
|
B
|
B
|
||
|
B-
|
B3
|
B-
|
B(low)
|
||
| Substantial Risk |
CCC+
|
Caa1
|
CCC+
|
CCC(high)
|
|
|
CCC
|
Caa2
|
CCC
|
CCC
|
||
|
CCC-
|
Caa3
|
CCC-
|
CCC(low)
|
||
| Extremely Speculative |
CC
|
Ca
|
CC
|
CC
|
|
|
C
|
C
|
C
|
C
|
||
| In Default |
RD
|
/
|
RD
|
RD
|
|
|
SD
|
/
|
SD
|
SD
|
||
|
D•NR
|
D•NR
|
D•NR
|
D•NR
|
||
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United States Credit Ratings historical data
Symbol means a positive outlook assigned by the rating agency.
Symbol means a negative outlook.
| Date | S&P | Moody's | Fitch | DBRS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 Nov 2023 | Aaa | |||
| 2 Aug 2023 | AA+ | |||
| 28 Jul 2023 | AAA | |||
| 25 May 2023 | AAA | AAA | ||
| 9 Jul 2022 | AAA | |||
| 1 Aug 2020 | AAA | |||
| 21 Mar 2014 | AAA | |||
| 18 Jul 2013 | Aaa | |||
| 10 Jun 2013 | AA+ | |||
| 28 Nov 2011 | AAA | |||
| 8 Sep 2011 | AAA | |||
| 5 Aug 2011 | AA+ | |||
| 13 Jul 2011 | Aaa | |||
| 18 Apr 2011 | AAA | |||
| 1 Apr 1996 | AAA | |||
| 13 Nov 1995 | AAA | |||
| 10 Aug 1994 | AAA | |||
| 5 Feb 1949 | Aaa |
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