31.   Some investors also demanded to know why Farmer Mac had refused to get a debt rating, with one caller even volunteering to pay for it.

32.   Sprint, meanwhile, had its debt rating lowered to a notch above junk status as the company said it would sign up fewer wireless customers.

33.   That would improve its debt rating and spin off added interest savings.

34.   The agency confirmed the debt ratings of Credit Agricole and Suez.

35.   The general obligation debt rating of New York State was lifted to A from A-minus and lease obligation debt to BBB-plus, from BBB.

36.   The higher debt ratings come only months after Mandela took office, decisively ending the era of apartheid.

37.   The French government, which has the highest possible debt rating, is currently guaranteeing the bonds.

38.   The move gives the fourth-largest U.S. life insurer new leadership after a sales scandal and other problems led to a lower debt rating.

39.   The moves boosted British Gas bonds as analysts expected the company to avert a cut in its debt rating.

40.   The U.S. credit rating company put the short- and long-term debt ratings of Mitsubishi Bank and Sanwa Bank on its credit watchlist with negative implications.