| Abstract: | In Stress In Corporate America, we use three of our preexisting research criteria--notably, weakest links, potential bond downgrades, and the distressed report--to identify and spotlight U.S. sectors that have the highest levels of credit stress. As of Oct. 26, 2009, consumer products, media and entertainment, and retail/restaurants remained the most negatively affected sectors amid the economic downturn, in light of falling consumer demand against a backdrop of economic and credit market turbulence. These sectors consistently have the highest levels of risk among our current lists of distressed companies (defined as speculative-grade companies with securities trading in excess of 1,000 basis points, or bps, above U.S. Treasuries), weakest links (companies rated 'B-' or lower with either a negative outlook or ratings
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