` ` ' Three '' are Standard 's & Poor 's , Moody 's Financial Services and Nielsen Ratings . Rating agencies downgrade ratings felt this year from Washington to London . Critics on both sides of the Atlantic say the agencies have too much power . Agencies say they only give opinions on credit ; choices ultimately up to investors .
`` Big Three '' are Standard 's & Poor 's , Moody 's Investor Services and Fitch Ratings . Rating agencies downgrade pressure felt this week from Washington to Rome . Critics on both sides of the Atlantic say the agencies have too much power . Agencies say they only give opinions on credit ; choices ultimately up to investors .