Fitch’s plan to change muni ratings put on hold

Fitch Ratings is putting off a review of its municipal ratings program because of the economic downturn. The New York-based ratings agency said today the review would be deferred because municipal finance issuers are being “severely [affected] by the combination of a deteriorating macro-economic environment, increasing fiscal pressures, and market access and liquidity constraints.” The downturn and market turmoil continue to exceed the agency’s expectations, the release said. The firm first released a research report in July that examined the process used to create outlooks and sought comment on a proposal to recalibrate its ratings. But as the market cratered, Fitch announced Oct. 7 it would defer the recalibration until the first quarter of 2009. Meanwhile, the various programs being launched as part of the federal government’s economic stimulus are also having an impact on state budgets, the firm said. For the “near to intermediate term,” Fitch will utilize its existing ratings program.