Emerging market sovereign defaults on bonds and bank loans are on the rise again, although credit quality at the bottom of the ratings spectrum has improved steadily, according to a report by Standard & Poor's (S&P). The report found that six new governments have defaulted so far this year, compared with just one - Argentina - in 2001. They include governments such as Argentina and Madagascar, which have already been in default on part of their obligations but have now defaulted on other categories of debt. The other four are Gabon, Indonesia, Moldova and Nauru.
September 27, 2002