Markets
A credit rating assesses an issuer's creditworthiness, that is, the ability of a government or company to repay its debts.
A credit rating evaluates an issuer's (a government or company) ability to repay its debts. The three major rating agencies (S&P, Moody's, Fitch) assign grades from AAA (highest quality) down to D (default).
Investment grade (BBB-/Baa3 or better): classified as relatively safe. Many institutional investors are permitted to invest only in investment-grade bonds.
High yield or junk bonds (below BBB-/Baa3): higher default risk, but higher interest in return. Not necessarily bad, but the risk has to be taken consciously.
Related terms
See taxes, dividends and allocation for your whole portfolio in one place.