PH wins investment grade from Moody's



MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines on Thursday, October 3 won an investment grade rating from international debt watcher Moody's Investors Service.

This is the fourth investment grade rating for the country, considered one of Asia's fastest-growing economies.

Moody's upgraded the Philippines' credit rating by a notch to "Baa3" from "Ba1."

At the same time, it assigned a positive outlook on the rating.

In a statement, Moody's said it raised the rating on the following factors:

sustainability of the Philippines' robust economic growth
ongoing fiscal and debt consolidation
political stability and improved governance
An investment grade is a seal of good housekeeping. It tells investors it is safe to do business in the country, and encourages them to put huge capital here.

An investment grade means the Philippines, as a borrower, has a strong ability to pay its debts. This lowers its borrowing costs, generating savings that are used for social services.

The Philippines won its first investment grade rating from Fitch Ratings on March 27, its second from Standard & Poor's on May 2, and third from the Japan Japan Credit Rating Agency on May 7.

View Rappler's infographic: What a credit rating upgrade means for Filipinos

– Rappler.com