These corporate or government bonds were investment-grade when they were issued but have been downgraded by a rating service, such as Moody's Investors Service or Standard & Poor's (S&P). Downgrading may occur if the issuer's financial situation weakens, or if the rating service anticipates financial problems that could lead to default. The term is sometimes used more generically, too, to refer to stocks or other securities that are out of favor.
Barry Goldsmith
| APA | Barry Goldsmith. (2010). fallen angel. Retrieved September 21, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/fallen_angel/definitions/1153613 |
| Chicago | Barry Goldsmith. 2010. "fallen angel" http://smartdefine.org/fallen_angel/definitions/1153613 (accessed September 21, 2026). |
| Harvard | Barry Goldsmith 2010, fallen angel, Smart Define, viewed 21 September, 2026, <http://smartdefine.org/fallen_angel/definitions/1153613>. |
| MLA | Barry Goldsmith. "fallen angel" 21 October 2010. Web. 21 September 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/fallen_angel/definitions/1153613> |