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S&P cuts Berkshire Hathaway’s AAA ratings

04 February 2010

Rating agency Standard & Poor's (S&P) today lowered its long-term counterparty credit rating on Berkshire Hathaway to AA+ from AAA.

Read more: berkshire hathaway warren buffett S&P standard & poor's burlington northern santa fe

Rating agency Standard & Poor's (S&P) today lowered its long-term counterparty credit rating on Berkshire Hathaway to AA+ from AAA, citing reduced capital adequacy following the acquisition of Burlington Northern Santa Fe and concerns over the succession plan for its CEO Warren Buffett.

S&P also lowered the financial strength ratings on Berkshire’s core insurance operations to AA+ from AAA..

The ratings have been removed from credit watch. The outlook is stable.

"We are taking these rating actions...


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If last year was the year of the cat, then this year could be the year of the debt crisis.

Mike Van Slooten, head of international market analysis at Aon Benfield