Credit ratings by independent rating agencies reflect the risk associated the company's debt. In general a strong credit rating reflects confidence in the financial strength of the company.
Ratings definitions may be found on each agency's web site:
Rating Agencies – Issuer Rating
| Standard & Poor's |
| TDS Rating |
BBB- |
| Moody's |
| TDS Rating |
Ba1 |
| Fitch |
| TDS Rating |
BB+ |