Bangkok--28 Apr--Standard & Poor's Standard & Poor's latest "Global Potential Rising Stars" report states that this month's tally of 21 issuers positioned to migrate up the credit spectrum is the lowest in the past 22 months. The count of entities about to cross over in the opposite direction (potential fallen angels) is 38 issuers. "Of those positioned to ascend to investment grade, over one-third are from emerging market countries, including Brazil, Chile, Russia, Hong Kong, and Peru, where growth is expected as world financial assets continue to flow into these markets," said Diane Vazza, head of Standard & Poor's Global Fixed Income Research Group. On the front of rising stars, only two issuers have ascended to the investment-grade strata since last month's report, both of which were part of the last month's potential rising stars list. Current potential rising stars constitute US$112.96 (?71.19) billion in rated debt, of which US$84.05 (?52.97) billion was attributed to sovereigns. The reports are available to subscribers of RatingsDirect, the real-time Web-based source for Standard & Poor's credit ratings, research, and risk analysis, at www.ratingsdirect.com. If you are not a RatingsDirect subscriber, you may purchase a copy of the report by calling (1) 212-438-9823 or sending an e-mail to [email protected]. Ratings information can also be found on Standard & Poor's public Web site at www.standardandpoors.com; under Credit Ratings in the left navigation bar, select Find a Rating, then Credit Ratings Search. Members of the media may request copies of these reports by contacting the media representative provided. Media Contact: Mimi Barker, New York (1) 212-438-5054, [email protected] Analyst Contact: Diane Vazza, New York (1) 212-438-2760 Standard & Poor's, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE:MHP), is the world's foremost provider of financial market intelligence, including independent credit ratings, indices, risk evaluation, investment research and data. With approximately 8,500 employees, including wholly owned affiliates, located in 23 countries and markets, Standard & Poor's is an essential part of the world's financial infrastructure and has played a leading role for more than 140 years in providing investors with the independent benchmarks they need to feel more confident about their investment and financial decisions. For more information, visit http://www.standardandpoors.com. Key Contacts: Americas Media Relations: (1) 212-438-6667 media_ [email protected] Americas Customer Service: (1) 212-438-7280 [email protected]