Fitch puts US AAA on negative watch as debt deadline draws near

The move is the latest warning for the US, with time running out ahead of the 17 October deadline to raise its debt ceiling, and the federal government still shut down. Fitch said it believes the debt ceiling will be raised in time, but cautioned on the lack of room for manoeucre. It currently rates the US as an AAA credit. In a statement, the ratings agency said: "Although Fitch continues to believe that the debt ceiling will be raised soon, the political brinkmanship and reduced financing flexibility could increase the risk of a US default." The decision echoes Standard & Poor's ...