Criteria of assigning Rating Outlook - Archive

Rating outlook serves the useful purpose of indicating the direction in which a medium term/long term rating may move over the next 18-24 months. Outlooks can be positive, stable or negative depending on whether the rating is expected to be upgraded, unchanged, or downgraded. It is used to communicate the rating trend to the investor and avoid abrupt change, unless circumstances so justify. It also serves as a tool to differentiate among similarly rated instruments across the rating spectrum.

Infomerics’ ratings are based on the future performance of an issuer as assessed by the rating agency at the point of assigning of the rating. Ratings factor in impact of factors and developments known at that point in time while new developments in terms of industry or regulatory changes etc. may occur. Outlooks would hence indicate the probable direction of movement of ratings while the extent of how they impact the credit is not known. Possible factors in this regard could be expectation of promoters’ (including Government’s) support to the entity, change in industry dynamics or possible change in strategic decisions taken.

However, the indicated trend of rating could reverse in light of unexpected developments in which case the direction of the rating could be contrary to the outlook indicated. Further, Infomerics may effect a change in rating directly, without changing the outlook in a corresponding manner.

Applicability

Rating outlooks shall be assigned to all ratings except

  1. Short term ratings
  2. Ratings placed under credit watch
  3. ‘D’ ratings
  4. Securitization ratings
  5. Ratings under INC category