Moody's ratings agency has today downgraded to Baa2 from Baa1 the backed senior secured debt rating of Bristol Water plc - the outlook is negative.

Ratings agencies Moody’s and S & P Global Ratings have downgraded Welsh Water's credit outlook – the rating actions follow Welsh Water's announcement on 31 January 2020 that it will not ask Ofwat to refer its final determination to the Competition and Markets Authority.

Moodys ratings agency is warning that Ofwat is tightening the screws further on the water sector following publication by the regulator on 18 July of more draft determinations for the upcoming 2020 -25 AMP7 investment programme.

Moody's ratings agency has downgraded Southern Water’s senior secured debt to Baa2 from Baa1 and placed the Baa2 ratings under review for further downgrade, reflecting the risks associated with the continuing Environment Agency investigation and the price review process.

S&P Global Ratings are warning that regulatory reset, Brexit and other political risks could weigh on UK utility ratings – and a scenario in which the U.K. leaves the EU without a deal could lead to a prolonged period of market volatility, with reduced market liquidity and increasing regional risk.

Moody’s ratings agency is warning that the water sector regulator’s proposals are threatening to undermine the stability and predictability of the regime.

Moody's ratings agency has changed the outlook on the ratings of four UK-based regulated water companies and one high-yield holding company to negative.

Ratings agency Moody’s has changed its outlook for the UK water sector from stable to negative for the first time since first published in 2004.

Moody’s has either maintained negative outlooks for five UK-based regulated water utilities and changed one high-yield holding company - the ratings agency’s actions relate to the companies it considers most exposed to the likely cut in allowed returns from 2020.

Moody's Investors Service has placed the Baa1 corporate family rating of Yorkshire Water Services Limited on review for downgrade, primarily reflecting what it describes as the rising risk associated with the company's significant derivatives portfolio.