FITCH DOWNGRADES ITALY TO BBB+, OUTLOOK NEGATIVE

Below is the full release.

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Fitch Ratings has downgraded Italy's Long-term foreign and local currency Issuer Default Ratings (IDR) to 'BBB+' from 'A-'. The Outlook on the Long-term IDRs is Negative. Fitch has simultaneously affirmed the Short-term foreign currency IDR at 'F2' and the common eurozone Country Ceiling for Italy at 'AAA'.

KEY RATING DRIVERS

The downgrade of Italy's sovereign ratings reflects the following key rating factors:

• The inconclusive results of the Italian parliamentary elections on 24-25 February make it unlikely that a stable new government can be formed in the next few weeks. The increased political uncertainty and non-conducive backdrop for further structural reform measures constitute a further adverse shock to the real economy amidst the deep recession.
• Q412 data confirms that the ongoing recession in Italy is one of the deepest in Europe. The unfavourable starting position and some recent developments, like the unexpected fall in employment and persistently weak sentiment indicators, increase the risk of a more protracted and deeper recession than previously expected. Fitch expects a GDP contraction of 1.8% in 2013, due largely to the carry-over from the 2.4% contraction in 2012.
• Due to the deeper recession and its adverse impact on headline budget deficit, the gross general government debt (GGGD) will peak in 2013 at close to 130% of GDP compared with Fitch's estimate of 125% in mid-2012, even assuming an unchanged underlying fiscal stance.
• A weak government could be slower and less able to respond to domestic or external economic shocks.

The 'BBB+' rating reflects:

• The rating remains supported by the relatively wealthy, high value-added and diverse economy with moderate levels of private sector indebtedness.
• Italy has progressed substantially over the past two years with fiscal consolidation. Public sector deficit was 3% of GDP in 2012, a result of 2.3pp fiscal consolidation in structural terms, according to the recent estimate of the European Commission.
• The fiscal measures already adopted should be sufficient to deliver a further narrowing of the budget deficit in 2013 despite the continuing recession. Fitch expects the deficit in 2013 to be around 2.5% of GDP. In structural terms, this would be close to the constitutional requirement of a balanced budget.
• Low contingent fiscal risks from the banking sector; an underlying budgetary position close to that necessary to stabilise the government debt to GDP ratio; and sustainable pension system underpins confidence in the long-term solvency of the Italian state.
• The Italian sovereign has demonstrated its financing flexibility and resilience during the crisis reflecting a strong domestic investor base and average duration of 4.74 years.

RATING SENSITIVITIES

The Negative Outlook reflects the following risk factors that may, individually or collectively, result in a downgrade of the ratings:

• Deeper and longer recession than currently forecast by Fitch that undermines the fiscal consolidation effort and increases contingent risks from the financial sector.
• Economic and fiscal outturns that reduce confidence that GGGD will be placed on a firm downward path from 2014, after peaking in 2013.
• Sustained deterioration in fiscal funding conditions with adverse implications for financial conditions for the private sector and public debt dynamics.
• Re-intensification of the eurozone crisis could lead to a direct increase in GGGD through contingent liabilities due to additional EFSF/ESM commitments and could further weaken the economy through a fall in external demand, weaker confidence and tighter credit conditions.
• Prolonged uncertainty over economic and fiscal policies, failure to comply with the constitutional requirement of balanced budget.

The current Outlook is Negative. Consequently, Fitch's sensitivity analysis does not currently anticipate developments with a material likelihood, individually or collectively, of leading to an upgrade. However, future developments that may, individually or collectively, lead to a revision of the Outlook to Stable include:

• Sustained economic recovery that supports ongoing fiscal consolidation.
• Confidence that the public debt to GDP ratio is on a firm downward path.
• Further structural reforms that enhance the competitiveness and growth potential of the Italian economy.

Financing conditions have been relatively benign in recent months. The potential backstop of external support from the ESM and ECB reduces the tail risk of a sovereign liquidity crisis for Italy and is supportive of the rating. While it remains uncertain under what conditions Italy would apply for official assistance, the request itself would be neutral for the rating.

KEY ASSUMPTIONS

The rating incorporates Fitch's assumption that the medium-term fiscal trajectory and commitments made by Italy under the Stability and Growth Pact and implied by the constitutional balanced budget amendments will be sustained by any new government.

Fitch assumes that Italy will start recovering in H213 from its deep recession as the large shocks causing the current recession (fiscal consolidation, tight financing conditions, and weak external demand) gradually fade away.

Fitch assumes that the contingent liabilities from the banking sector for the Italian government are limited. Nonetheless, if the recession is deeper and longer than currently anticipated, the risk that the government may be required to make further injections of capital, beyond the Monte dei Paschi recapitalisation, cannot be discounted.

Fitch maintains its assumption that medium-term potential growth is 1% even in light of structural reforms adopted over the last two years.

The current rating reflects Fitch's judgement that Italy will retain market access and, if needed, EU intervention would be requested and provided to avoid unnecessary strains on sovereign liquidity.

Furthermore, Fitch assumes there will be progress in deepening fiscal and financial integration at the eurozone level in line with commitments by euro area policy makers. It also assumes that the risk of fragmentation of the eurozone remains low.

Contact:

Primary Analyst
Gergely Kiss
Director
+44 20 3530 1425
Fitch Ratings Limited
30 North Colonnade
London E14 5GN

Secondary Analyst
Douglas Renwick
Senior Director
+44 20 3530 1045

Committee Chairperson
Ed Parker
Managing Director
+44 20 3530 1176

Media Relations: Hannah Huntly, London, Tel: +44 20 3530 1153, Email: hannah.huntly@fitchratings.com.

Additional information is available on www.fitchratings.com. The ratings above were solicited by, or on behalf of, the issuer, and therefore, Fitch has been compensated for the provision of the ratings.

Applicable criteria, 'Sovereign Rating Methodology', dated 13 August 2012, are available at www.fitchratings.com.

Applicable Criteria and Related Research
Sovereign Rating Methodology

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