1.   The rating firm said that the company is more reliant on its revolving credit lines because of the elimination of commercial paper.

2.   The rating firm said the company is more reliant on its revolving credit lines because of the elimination of commercial paper.

3.   A smaller rating firm, London-based IBCA, gave a subinvestment grade rating to South Africa less than two weeks ago.

4.   But that has not deterred Ryan and other Prudential executives, in meetings with analysts of rating firms, from vowing to improve the bottom line.

5.   Differences of opinion among the rating firms on specific companies also can affect the stock because of the uncertainty that creates, Neuhaus added.

6.   She said the LJM partnerships were neither Enron affiliates or obligations and thus did not have to be disclosed to the rating firms.

7.   The Atlanta Woodruff Arts Center and Georgia-Pacific got good and bad news, respectively, from debt rating firms this week.

8.   The Governmental Affairs panel is also expected to focus on whether the rating firms are making proper use of their special access to information.

9.   The rating firms are fighting to avoid any new regulation or legislation that would increase scrutiny of their research or open them to new competition.