1.   Although the world of debt ratings may seem arcane, the impact of a major downgrade is swift, unforgiving and very real.

2.   An improved debt-to-cash-flow ratio would help the company in debt ratings and borrowing capacity.

3.   Both credit rating companies warned today they might lower their debt ratings for Atlas Copco because of the acquisition.

4.   A downgraded debt rating would make it more expensive for Nissan to borrow money.

5.   A lower debt rating makes it more expensive for a company to borrow money.

6.   A settlement that caps tobacco company payouts to smokers who win damages could help the debt ratings of some cigarette makers.

7.   A lower debt rating would likely force the bank to pay investors higher rates on subsequent offerings of bonds backed by credit-card payments.

8.   A lower debt rating would likely have forced the bank to pay investors higher rates on subsequent offerings of bonds backed by credit-card payments.

9.   Alarmed by the huge losses, analysts on Wall Street have sharply downgraded their debt ratings for almost every big exhibitor.

10.   British Telecommunications said it had already included those costs in its debt forecasts and the acquisition would not affect its debt rating.