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About Moody's

Moody’s is a globally recognized integrated risk assessment firm best known for its credit ratings, research, and analytical tools in the financial sector. Founded in 1909 by John Moody, the company has grown over the past century to become one of the “Big Three” credit rating agencies, alongside Standard & Poor’s and Fitch Ratings. Moody’s provides ratings, insights, and risk analysis that inform and guide investors, financial market participants, and policymakers around the world.

At the core of Moody’s offerings are its credit ratings—an evaluation of creditworthiness that measures the likelihood that a borrower (such as a corporation, government, or structured finance entity) will be able to meet its debt obligations. These ratings, expressed through a standardized alphanumeric scale (ranging from Aaa for the highest-quality obligations to C for those in default), help inform lending decisions, influence interest rates, and shape investor perceptions. They are often required by regulatory bodies and are considered an essential component in global capital markets.

Moody’s also provides a wide array of research, data, and analytic tools to support risk management, portfolio analysis, and strategic decision-making. Through its subsidiary Moody’s Analytics, the firm delivers software solutions, economic data sets, quantitative models, and advisory services. These offerings support customers in areas ranging from credit risk measurement, stress testing, and regulatory compliance to supply chain management and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) assessments.

Another critical function of Moody’s is its role as a thought leader. Its analysts regularly publish sector research, market outlooks, and special commentary on emerging economic and financial trends. These insights help shape market discourse and policy debates on issues ranging from global debt sustainability to climate risk and systemic financial vulnerabilities.

Founded: 1909

Example Customers: Standard Chartered, Nedbank

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