global bond markets weakest links and monthly default rates fixed income research february 2006 diane vazza managing director 1 212 438 2760 diane_vazza standardandpoors com devi aurora 1359 devi_aurora ryan schneck associate 1698 ryan_schneck standard & poor s 55 water street 33rd floor new york ny 10041 page feb 8 the corporate speculative grade rate remained at its lowest level in more than eight years reaching 38 end of january globally has below long term 1981 2005 average 4 65 for 24 consecutive months but is still higher record low 28 posted second quarter 1997 near outlook been mostly sanguine owing to expectations relative economic stability
