The United States had its AAA rating confirmed by two key ratings agencies after Washington struck a deal to avoid a debt default, but threats of future downgrades remain.

Moody’s Investors Service and Fitch Ratings maintained US ratings for now, but said additional deficit-reduction measures are needed for the government to put its finances in order and retain the coveted rating.

Underscoring that threat, Moody’s assigned a negative outlook to the AAA rating.

Fitch promised to conclude a more thorough review of the United States by the end of the month and did not rule out putting a negative outlook on the rating. – (Reuters)