S&P Global Credit Markets Digest.

Business Editors

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Standard & Poor's

Dec. 6, 2002--Here is the current lineup of top articles and research from Standard & Poor's Credit Information Services:

PUBLISHED:

RESEARCH REPORTS

CORPORATES

-- Tariff




				

				
				 
				


 Rate Increases Are Not Enough to Restore Economic Equilibrium for Argentine Utilities

-- Changes in Store For the U.S. Northwest Electricity Market: Part 2

-- S&P Comments on Midwest Independent System Operator's Survival Tactics

-- S&P Report Says Tough Road Ahead for Big 3 Automakers

-- Public Finance Report Card: Disclosure Plus Health Care

-- Occupational Pension Schemes Move Center Stage in Germany

-- S&P Comments on U.S. Energy Asset Sales

-- S&P: Total U.S. Retail Holiday Sales To Increase 2%-3%

GLOBAL FIXED INCOME RESEARCH

-- S&P Global Bond Markets' Weakest Links & Monthly Default Rates

FINANCIAL SERVICES

-- Nordic Banking: Strategic Shifts Ahead?

-- Industry Report Card Released on North American Engineering &

Construction Firms

-- Banks Steadfast, Insurers Challenged, in Australia and New

Zealand

-- Industry Report Card Released on Latin American Banks

-- Ratings Pressures Weigh on Reinsurers Despite High Prices

-- Higher Premiums Pave the Way to Profitability for U.S.

Personal Lines Insurers

-- Negative Outlook Persists on U.S. Commercial Lines Insurers

STRUCTURED FINANCE

-- New Report Comments on Australia's Review of its Commonwealth

Government Securities Market

RATING ACTIONS

CORPORATE RATINGS

-- Gas Giant OAO Gazprom's Outlook to Positive Based on Brighter

Prospects for Russian Economy

-- Russia-Based TNK International Ltd. on CW Positive Pending

Possible Acquisition of Slavneft

-- Long-Term Rating on Russian Oil Major LUKoil OAO Raised to

'BB-'; Outlook Stable

-- Rand Water LC Outlook Revised To Positive From Stable;

Long-Term LC And FC Ratings

-- UAL and United Downgraded, Watch Implications Revised to Neg

After Loan Guaranty Rejection

FINANCIAL SERVICES RATINGS

-- Ratings Affirmed on Swiss Re Unit Algemene

Levensherverzekering Maatschappij; Outlook

-- Outlook on IndyMac Bancorp Revised to Stable; Ratings Affirmed

STRUCTURED FINANCE RATINGS

-- Ratings Assigned in WestHyp's CBO of European ABS Transaction

-- Ratings Lowered on CDO Transaction Concerto I B.V.'s A and B

Notes; Off Watch

SOVEREIGN RATINGS

-- Russian Federation 'ruAA+' National Scale Rating Affirmed;

Russia Rating Scale to be Expanded

-- Russia Long-Term Ratings Raised, Reflecting Fiscal Prudence

and Economic Reform; Outlook Stable

LOCAL AND REGIONAL GOVERNMENT RATINGS

-- Cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg Long-Term Ratings Raised

to 'BB'; Outlooks Stable

RESEARCH ANALYSIS

CORPORATES

-- Watercare Services Ltd.

-- Bridgestone Corp.

-- Airport Authority Hong Kong

FINANCIAL SERVICES

-- Southern Cross Medical Care Society

-- R.V.I. Guaranty Co. Ltd. and R.V.I. America Insurance Co.

-- Bear Stearns Cos. Inc. (The)

LOCAL & REGIONAL GOVERNMENTS

-- Sverdlovsk Oblast

-- Budapest (City of)

-- Sofia (City of)

STRUCTURED FINANCE

-- New Issue: Holmes Financing (No.6) PLC

Copyright 2002, Standard & Poor's Ratings Services