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Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy looks down as he attends a ceremony at Torrejon's air base, near Madrid, October 9, 2012. REUTERS/Sergio Perez

S&P cuts Spain credit rating to near junk
S&P cuts Spain credit rating to near junk
Posted : Wednesday, 10 October 2012 05:09PM

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Standard & Poor's on Wednesday cut Spain's sovereign credit rating by two notches to BBB-minus, citing a deepening economic recession that is limiting the government's policy options to arrest the slide.

The downgrade comes with a negative outlook reflecting the firm's view that there are significant risks to economic growth and budgetary performance, plus a lack of a clear direction in euro zone policies.

S&P's move brings it in line with Moody's Investors Services, which also has Spain on watch for a downgrade from its Baa3 rating. Both ratings are just on the cusp of junk status, while Fitch Ratings has Spain rated BBB, one notch higher but with a negative outlook.

(Reporting by Daniel Bases and Luciana Lopez; Editing by Dan Grebler)

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