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Rating Scale: Definition & Meaning | Bondfish

What it means

Independent credit rating agencies assess an issuer’s ability to repay its debt and express that judgement as a rank on a fixed rating scale. The three agencies European investors see most often are S&P Global Ratings, Moody’s and Fitch, alongside Scope Ratings, the largest EU-headquartered agency. S&P, Fitch and Scope share the same AAA-to-D letters; Moody’s uses its own notation (Aaa, Aa1, Aa2…) that maps one-to-one to the others.

Each broad grade is sliced into finer steps called notches — using “+” and “−” (S&P, Fitch, Scope) or the numbers 1–3 (Moody’s) — so A+ sits just above A, which sits just above A−. A separate outlook (positive, stable or negative) signals the likely direction of the next move.

S&P / Fitch / ScopeMoody’sWhat it signalsGrade
AAA Aaa Highest quality, minimal default risk Investment grade
AA+ / AA / AA− Aa1 / Aa2 / Aa3 Very high quality Investment grade
A+ / A / A− A1 / A2 / A3 Strong quality Investment grade
BBB+ / BBB / BBB− Baa1 / Baa2 / Baa3 Good quality; lowest investment grade Investment grade
BB+ / BB / BB− Ba1 / Ba2 / Ba3 Speculative; first step below the line High yield
B+ / B / B− B1 / B2 / B3 Highly speculative High yield
CCC / CC / C Caa / Ca / C Substantial to extreme risk; near default High yield
D (SD) C In default (Moody’s has no “D”; default sits at C) Default

Why it matters for bond investors

The single most important line on the rating scale is the split between investment grade (BBB− / Baa3 and above) and high yield, or “junk” (BB+ / Ba1 and below). That boundary drives borrowing costs, which funds are allowed to hold a bond, and how much extra yield you are paid for the added risk. A one-notch downgrade from BBB− to BB+ can force selling and widen spreads sharply, even though the letters look almost identical.

Treat the rating scale as a starting filter, not a verdict: it measures default risk, not price, and agencies can lag the market. You can screen bonds by rating and yield on the Bondfish bond screener to see how a given grade translates into real yields and issuers today.

Related terms

This definition is for general information only and is not investment advice. Bond investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal.