GM shares fall 30 percent after S&P statement
Thursday October 9, 4:00 pm ET
By Bree Fowler, AP Auto Writer
GM shares fall 30 percent after S&P places ratings on CreditWatch for possible downgrade
NEW YORK (AP) -- General Motors shares have fallen more than 30 percent after Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said it's placing the automaker's credit ratings under review for possible downgrade.
S&P said Thursday that the move reflects the weakening automotive markets across the world and expectations that tight credit markets will make things tough for the near future.
GM shares fell $2.26, or 33 percent, to $4.65, helping drag the Dow Jones industrial average down by more than 600 points. That's the lowest price for GM shares since March 1950.
The ratings under review include GM's "B-" long-term corporate credit rating and its finance arm's "B-" long-term counterparty credit rating.
S&P says it believes GM has enough cash for at least the rest of 2008, but rapidly worsening industry conditions will make things tough in 2009.
looks like Hendrick will have to switch to Toyota