New York, January 08, 2013 -- Moody's Investors Service has upgraded Paraguay's government bond
rating to Ba3 from B1. At Ba3, the outlook is stable.
RATINGS RATIONALE
The key drivers supporting the upgrade are (1) government finances that
we expect will continue to align well with peers in the 'Ba'
rating category, despite volatile growth, (2) a sustained
build-up in international reserves resulting in external liquidity
metrics in line with 'Ba' medians, and (3) improved
medium-term growth prospects supported by government plans to increase
investment in infrastructure.
Government finances have remained strong despite volatile growth because
the large agricultural sector is not a significant contributor to government
revenues. An improvement in government debt metrics has been possible
due to consecutive budget surpluses during 2004-2011. Debt
ratios are significantly lower than the medians for 'Ba'-rated
countries.
Even though we expect the government to post a deficit in 2012 and to
do so again in 2013, both are on the order of 1% of GDP and,
in our view, should be easily financed. Debt affordability
is strong, as annual interest payments are equivalent to only 3%
of government revenues, and rollover risks are very low given the
average debt maturity of 21 years.
The country's external liquidity position has improved, with gross
international reserves having grown ten-fold over the past decade,
rising to $5 billion in 2012 from $500 million in 2002.
In 2011, international reserves were sufficient to cover 100%
of gross external debt for the first time, roughly double the median
among peers rated 'Ba.' High FDI potential related
to aluminum and titanium projects should help diversify Paraguay's
economic base over the medium term, thus providing a buffer against
agricultural-related shocks.
The government is making concerted efforts to enhance the long-term
growth outlook by investing in infrastructure. Congress recently
passed a law which will require that the government utilize over 80%
of the revenues from energy sales to Brazil for investment in infrastructure
and education. Furthermore, the government is legally barred
from using any government debt for current spending. The 2013 budget
lists the specific infrastructure projects (e.g.,
road construction, electricity) for which the proceeds of its planned
international bond issuance should be used.
The stable outlook balances Paraguay's credit improvements with
key challenges that include: (1) commodity dependence and related
growth volatility, (2) relative fiscal inflexibility stemming from
earmarked expenditures, as well as a low revenue base related to
the large informal sector, (3) Congress' propensity to approve
expansionary budgets, and (4) a high, albeit falling,
level of financial dollarization.
Upward rating pressure could result from (1) investments in an aluminum
smelter, titanium mining, or other new sectors, enhancing
economic diversity and resiliency, (2) creation of a fiscal stabilization
fund, (3) an increase in the revenue base and/or a significant reduction
in the share of earmarked spending, or (4) a steady decline in financial
dollarization.
Downward rating pressure could stem from (1) a significant and prolonged
commodity shock driven by climate, weaker demand, or another
source, (2) recurrent political instability, (3) a significant
deterioration of fiscal metrics, or (4) worsening external liquidity
metrics.
Paraguay's country ceilings on bonds and deposits were also adjusted
as part of this rating action. The foreign currency bond ceiling
was raised to Ba1 from Ba3; the foreign currency deposit ceiling
was raised to B1 from B2. Paraguay's local currency bond
and deposit ceilings remained unchanged at Ba1.
The principal methodology used in this rating was Sovereign Bond Ratings
published in September 2008. Please see the Credit Policy page
on www.moodys.com for a copy of this methodology.
REGULATORY DISCLOSURES
The Global Scale Credit Ratings on this press release that are issued
by one of Moody's affiliates outside the EU are endorsed by Moody's
Investors Service Ltd., One Canada Square, Canary Wharf,
London E 14 5FA, UK, in accordance with Art.4 paragraph
3 of the Regulation (EC) No 1060/2009 on Credit Rating Agencies.
Further information on the EU endorsement status and on the Moody's
office that has issued a particular Credit Rating is available on www.moodys.com.
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this announcement provides relevant regulatory disclosures in relation
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this announcement provides relevant regulatory disclosures in relation
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rating action for securities that derive their credit ratings from the
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this announcement provides relevant regulatory disclosures in relation
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rating that may be assigned subsequent to the final issuance of the debt,
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Sarah Glendon
Asst Vice President - Analyst
Sovereign Risk Group
Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
250 Greenwich Street
New York, NY 10007
U.S.A.
JOURNALISTS: 212-553-0376
SUBSCRIBERS: 212-553-1653
Bart Oosterveld
MD - Sovereign Risk
Sovereign Risk Group
JOURNALISTS: 212-553-0376
SUBSCRIBERS: 212-553-1653
Releasing Office:
Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
250 Greenwich Street
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JOURNALISTS: 212-553-0376
SUBSCRIBERS: 212-553-1653
Moody's upgrades Paraguay's government bond rating to Ba3 with a stable outlook