Fitch raised Portugal's credit rating from A to A+ while affirming Qatar at AA and removing it from negative watch. Portugal's announcement highlights a declining public-debt path. Qatar's announcement cites lower risks to liquefied natural gas facilities since March, although the country's rating outlook remains negative.
Fitch increased Portugal's credit rating from A to A+ and assigned a stable outlook. The country last held that grade in March 2011. The agency's announcement listed public finances and the public-debt path. Fitch's forecast places public debt at 89.7 per cent of GDP in 2025, 87.0 per cent in 2026 and 82.9 per cent in 2028.[1]
Fitch affirmed Qatar at AA and removed the country from negative watch, while keeping the rating outlook negative. The agency's announcement said risks to liquefied natural gas facilities had declined since March. Iranian missile strikes that month hit Trains 4 and 6 at Ras Laffan, removing 12.8 million tonnes of annual capacity and causing an estimated 20 billion dollars of lost revenue a year.[2]
For Portugal, Fitch lists the budget balance, current-account surpluses and Social Security Stabilisation Fund assets, while identifying rapid house-price growth as a weakness. Qatar's announcement highlights the assessment of war damage to energy infrastructure. The agency forecasts liquefied natural gas exports returning to prewar levels in the second half of next year, assuming a deal reopens the Strait of Hormuz. Qatar's rating outlook remains negative.[1], [2]
