Analysis - Major companies gain as sovereigns lose top ratings

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/08/01/uk-investment-debt-idUKTRE7702ZO20110801

(Reuters) - Major international companies are moving up the credit ratings ladder and even overtaking their home governments, providing investors with attractive alternatives.

While the United States runs the risk of losing its top-notch triple-A credit ratings after a long, bruising battle over its debt ceiling, a number of multinational companies look set to benefit from higher ratings than their sovereigns.

Usually the sovereign -- the government -- is seen as the most solvent entity in the country given its huge cash pile from tax receipts and international reserves and its ability to generate cash by selling state-owned assets.

But today a number of governments face bigger risks of downgrades or defaults than private-sector firms as finances in developed economies deteriorate in the wake of the credit crisis.

A new, frightening era of global fascism is emerging.