HindustanTimes Fri,26 Dec 2014   US shutdown looms as Fitch
warns of rating cut Washington , October 16, 2013 First
Published: 08:28 IST(16/10/2013) Last Updated: 14:39
IST(16/10/2013)  The Fitch credit rating agency has warned that
it is reviewing the US government's AAA credit rating for a
possible downgrade, citing the impasse in Washington that has
raised the threat of a default on the nation's debt.  Fitch
placed the US credit rating on negative watch on Tuesday, a step
that would precede an actual downgrade. The agency said it
expects to conclude its review within six months.  The
announcement comes as House and Senate leaders face a Thursday
deadline to raise the nation's $16.7 trillion borrowing limit.
Fitch says it expects the debt limit to be raised soon. But it
adds, "the political brinkmanship and reduced financing
flexibility could increase the risk of a US default."  A
treasury department spokesman said Fitch's announcement
"reflects the urgency with which Congress should act to remove
the threa