- The number of Brazilian companies facing downgrades to speculative grade credit ratings more than doubled in Q1, says Moody's, and as long as the economy remains weak, the agency sees risk that more companies become "fallen angels."
- Globally, 26 companies were downgraded to speculative grade in Q1 versus just 24 for all of 2014. This, however, was mostly about Russia, where a sovereign downgrade led to a rating cut for 18 of that country's companies.
- Previously: Nomura: Brazilian economy unraveling (Nov. 19, 2014)
- Previously: Petrobras looks to avoid technical default (April 14)
- ETFs: EWZ, BRF, BRZU, EWZS, BRXX, BRAQ, BZQ, BRAZ, BRAF, UBR, DBBR, FBZ