agent Entrepreneur logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Ford Rises with Its Credit Rating

August 2, 2010
2 min to read


Ford Motor Corp. has been on a roll lately, but the automaker may end up suffering from too much of a good thing as negotiations with the United Auto Workers (UAW) loom on the horizon, Forbes reported.


Ford Motor shares rallied Monday after Standard & Poor's upgraded the automaker's debt rating, as well as that of its finance arm. The rating agency also said there's a one in three chance the automaker's rating could get hiked again within the next year.

Ad Loading...


S&P increased Ford's corporate credit rating to B-plus, from B-minus, and its issue-level rating on Ford's senior secured debt to BB, from B-minus. It also raised the issue-level rating on Ford's unsecured debt to B from CCC and revised its recovery rating on the debt.


In addition to the upgrade, Ford's stock was fueled by encouraging economic news as the Institute for Supply Management's manufacturing index came in ahead of expectations at 55.5 in July, even though the figure was slightly below June's 56.2 reading. The figure has held above 50, the level which marks the tipping point between expansion and contraction, for the past year.


By Monday afternoon Ford's stock was up 3.2 percent, or 40 cents, to $13.18. Fellow automaker Toyota Motor increased 2.5 percent and Honda Motor 3.4 percent.


Things have been going well for Ford, which has been reporting market share gains and the glow from its recently announced second-quarter results. The automaker could up suffering from too much of a good thing, though, as its rebound, at a time when Detroit's other automakers are still regaining their footing after emerging from bankruptcy, could lead to stiffer demands from the UAW.

More Industry

Photo of two men in suit jackets shaking hands next to new car inside of a dealership
IndustryApril 23, 2026

A New Consumer Culture in the Auto Dealership

Dealers should aim to build a positive work environment, helping employees execute an efficient experience, from their online research to the final delivery of the vehicle.

Read More →
Closeup of the side of an Audi car
Industryby Hannah MitchellApril 23, 2026

New-Vehicle Sales Down

A cloudy April forecast was expected due to last April’s sales surge in anticipation of U.S. trade tariff-inflated prices. Meanwhile, automakers pumped up incentives to address today’s consumer wallet woes.

Read More →
Photo of Cadillac Lyriq SUV on road with partly cloudy sky in background
Industryby Hannah MitchellApril 16, 2026

Used Autos Selling for More

A recent price spike due to several larger market forces, though it hasn’t dulled demand, is pushing more consumers to efficient models to squeeze in buys.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Photo of facade of Waldorf Toyota car dealership
Industryby Hannah MitchellApril 16, 2026

Maryland Auto Group Sells

A group out West picked up the major D.C.-area collection, putting it in the upper tiers of private automotive groups in the U.S.

Read More →
Line graphic showing Cox Automotive's March Credit Availability Index status
Industryby Hannah MitchellApril 13, 2026

Auto Lending Opens Up in March

Lenders loosened access for subprime borrowers, and consumers with negative equity reached a record high, Cox Automotive reported.

Read More →
electric vehicle next to an urban charging station. EV Demand Diverges. F&I and Showroom logo
Industryby Lauren LawrenceApril 10, 2026

EV Interest Varies Regionally

U.S. consumer interest in electric vehicles lags behind other countries despite the rising gas prices caused by the ongoing war in the Middle East.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Photo of the rear of a Mercedes GLC 400 electric SUV with a skyline in the background
Industryby Hannah MitchellApril 10, 2026

Brands Weighed on Projected Recalls

Research reveals the brands and models most likely to have higher recall rates over their lifetimes. While some brands rank high, addressing safety issues can be a selling point.

Read More →
Photo of white 2026 Ford Bronco on a sandy beach
Industryby Hannah MitchellApril 10, 2026

March New-Vehicle Sales Don’t Reflect War

Cox Automotive data shows Americans doubled down on big-is-better despite price increases. Slightly higher incentives helped fuel the demand.

Read More →
Photo of several cars on lifts in a service center
Industryby Hannah MitchellApril 9, 2026

Franchised Dealers Stand to Gain Service Business

Cox Automotive research shows both the opportunities and the challenges in turning consumers’ growing affordability needs into increased fixed-operations revenue.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Photo of office desk with open laptop on it and an empty chair next to it
IndustryApril 9, 2026

What Matters Most in Building Your Agency

The partner you choose for growth and expansion is key, because better is the ultimate goal instead of growth for growth’s sake.

Read More →