Moody`s raised its credit outlook for the Netherlands and Belgium on late Friday:
- Elevated both to stable from negative
- The Netherlands kept its top-level Aaa rating – Moody’s said the Netherlands outlook improved because it was less likely to be called on to help fund rescues of weaker eurozone countries, that there were signs that the country`s own domestic problems, such as weak growth and high household debt, have peaked “and are likely to evolve in a positive direction”, and also that the fiscal situation has stabilized.
- Belgium retained Aa3 – citing stabilization of the country’s banking sector leading to receding risks on the government’s balance sheet
