A Standard & Poor's review of 15 U.S. subprime transactions issued between 1998 and 2004 has ended with lower ratings on 48 classes from 14 transactions.
The rating agency also removed seven of the lowered ratings from CreditWatch with negative implications. In addition, it affirmed ratings on 45 classes and removed one of these ratings from CreditWatch Negative.
"The downgrades reflect our belief that credit enhancement for the affected classes will be insufficient to cover projected losses due to increased delinquencies and the current condition of the housing market," S&P said.
