Standard & Poor's reduced the ratings of leading Russian companies

The Standard & Poor's International rating agency reduced long -term ratings in foreign currency of a number of largest companies in Russia, reports Lenta.ru with reference to the agency’s statement.

In particular, long-term credit ratings in the foreign currency of Gazprom, Gazpromneft, Rosneft, Transneft, Novateka, MTS, MegaFon, Russian Railways were reduced from BB+ with a negative forecast.

From BBB-BB+ ratings of the "Federal Passenger Company", FSK UES, Rossetei and Transneft are also reduced. The short-term credit rating of Gazprom and Rossete is reduced to B C A-3.

At the same time, the agency confirmed the Lukoil rating at the level of BBB-with a negative forecast. "Confirmation reflects the agency’s opinion that Lukoil can withstand default in the country and, thus, may have a rating that exceeds Russia from one step," the agency noted.

The new rating actions of S&P followed the decrease in the sovereign rating of Russia. On January 26, the agency for the first time over the past decade has lowered the sovereign credit rating of Russia from BBB-BB+, that is, below the investment level. The rating forecast is negative.

On January 9, one of the leading world rating agencies Fitch reduced the long-term credit rating of Russia by one step, to the level of GBV-. The reasons were called a sharp drop in the ruble and oil prices, as well as an increase in the key rate to 17 percent.

On January 16, the Moody's agency lowered one step - from BAA2 to BAA3 - a long -term rating of government bonds of Russia.