S&P downgrades Freddie Mac & Fannie Mae
"S&P also cut ratings for several of the main arteries of the US financial system—the Depository Trust Co. National Securities Clearing Corp., Fixed Income Clearing Corp. and the Options Clearing Corp.—were cut one notch to AA-plus. These institutions, previously rated AAA by S&P, clear and process trades and are crucial to the daily workings of the U.S. financial markets.
Officials at S&P said they plan to indicate how local and state governments and insurers will be affected by the rating agency's downgrade of long-term U.S. debt."