The Aaa rating of the US government carries a negative outlook, which was assigned primarily due to the rapid increase in federal government debt during the past five years and the uncertain debt trajectory in the medium term. The rating outlook will likely be either moved back to stable or the rating downgraded during the course of 2013, depending on the outcome of budget negotiations at the federal level and a further assessment of the resulting medium-term debt trajectory. This page provides a centralized source for Moody’s research related to credits with both direct and indirect linkages to the U.S. fiscal outlook.

Find all of our structured finance rating actions and research relating to our sovereign and bank rating actions here.

Since its creation in 2002, Moody's Accounting Specialist Group has worked alongside Moody's credit analysts to incorporate accounting, financial reporting and internal control practices more systematically into the credit rating process. The group publishes research comments on issues within its area of expertise which Moody’s believes impact rated issuers’ credit quality. The group also conducts training for Moody’s analysts on relevant financial reporting, accounting and internal control issues which impact ratings. The Accounting Specialist Group is part of broader initiative to bring specialized expertise to Moody’s credit rating process. Along with specialists in accounting, financial reporting and internal controls, Moody’s Enhanced Analytic Group also has specialists with expertise in corporate governance; risk management; and complex financial instruments.

Moody's global macro-economic and financial risk analysis helps credit professionals to "put the pieces together" in order to develop a robust risk management/investment strategy by analyzing early trends, and by uncovering the linkages between the worlds of politics, economics and finance and their impact on credit.