Bangkok--25 Jun--Standard & Poor's The continuous decline in the number of issuers positioned to migrate up the credit spectrum since the beginning of the year has brought the tally to 12 issuers in June, according to an article published today by Standard & Poor's. The article, which is titled "Global Potential Rising Stars (Premium)," said that this is the fewest since the previous low of 11 entities in March 2003. Meanwhile, the count of entities about to cross over in the opposite direction (potential fallen angels) is currently elevated at 44 issuers. "Of those positioned to ascend to investment grade, 50% are from emerging market countries, including Chile, Russia, Hong Kong, and Peru," said Diane Vazza, head of Standard & Poor's Global Fixed Income Research Group. "Growth there is expected as world financial assets continue to flow into these markets." This month, U.S.-based insurance company and S&P 500 constituent Unum Group is the largest potential rising star, set to ascend to investment grade with about US$3.4 billion in rated debt. RatingsDirect is the real-time Web-based source for Standard & Poor's credit ratings, research, and risk analysis, at www.ratingsdirect.com. The standard version of this article is part of our standard Global Fixed Income Research content. The premium version contains expanded analysis of the article's most significant points, typically broken out by sector and region. Also in the premium version are in-depth charts and tables, the underlying data of which are available for download. 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 a copy of this report 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]