Scope Ratings warned Friday that U.S. government debt could climb to about 160% of gross domestic product within the next decade, maintaining the country's AA- credit rating with a stable outlook. The European ratings firm said the current fiscal trajectory remains unsustainable over the medium term without materially stronger economic growth or substantial adjustments to government revenue or spending, and it expects net interest costs to reach what it called an "exceptionally high" level by 2031. Scope also flagged risks surrounding the approaching congressional standoff over the U.S. debt ceiling, warning that continued increases in borrowing could leave the country more sensitive to shifts in market sentiment as rising interest expenses add to fiscal pressures. The AA- rating places the U.S. three levels below Scope's highest possible credit grade; Scope last downgraded the country during the 2025 debt-ceiling impasse and now rates it two levels below Moody's Ratings, Fitch Ratings and S&P Global Ratings. The U.S. no longer holds the highest credit rating from any of the major agencies following Moody's downgrade last year, and Scope's assessment has been more cautious than that of larger competitors, with Fitch's chief sovereign analyst saying in January that another U.S. downgrade so soon after its 2023 action would be highly unusual.
Bank of America Corp
Goldman Sachs Group Inc
Moodys Corporation
S&P Global Inc
Citigroup Inc.