Rating
A judgment by a rating agency as to the credit quality of a bond.
bond-basics
Downgrade (Ratings)
The lowering of a Rating by a Rating Agency. Lower Ratings indicate lower credit quality.
See Also
In Contrast To
Upgrade (Ratings)
The increasing of a rating by a rating agency. Higher ratings indicate higher credit quality.
Start with the Bond Basics
Hundreds of Terms and Concepts
Defeasance
Termination of the rights and interests of the bondholders and release of liens on the security upon final payment of debt service or deposit of guaranteed payment in an irrevocable escrow fund.