S&P cuts Noble Group rating outlook to negative from stable

[HONG KONG] Standard & Poor's said it had revised the rating outlook on commodities trader Noble Group to negative from stable, citing a weakened trading risk position that could spark greater earnings volatility.

The agency affirmed Noble's rating of BBB-minus, the lowest investment grade rating. A downgrade would take the company's rating into the junk category.

S&P said Noble's trading risk position had weakened on account of growth in fair value gains from long-term commodity contracts over the past three years.

It said "the long-dated nature of these contracts creates a mismatch between profit recognition and cash realisation".

REUTERS

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