Australia Post lowered. Transurban affirmed

Australia Post lost its AAA credit rating from Standard & Poor's last week, as S&P lowered the rating to AA+ on a weakening of Australia Post's stand alone credit profile.

S&P cited rising losses and limited revenue and profit growth opportunities, combined with onerous community service obligations and regulatory price constraints, as the contributing factors to Australia Post's weakened credit profile.

On a stand alone basis, S&P assesses Australia Post at 'AA-'  but the very high likelihood of support, in need, from the Australian government allows a two notch rating uplift. The rating outlook is stable.

Fitch Ratings affirmed its 'A-/Stable' rating on unenhanced senior debt issues by Transurban Finance Company Pty Limited. The rating also applies on an underlying basis to the company's credit wrapped bond issues.

Fitch said the rating recognises the continuing financial robustness and the cash flow strength of the Transurban Group's underlying portfolio of mature toll road assets in Melbourne and Sydney and the expectation of sustained revenue growth from these assets.

Transurban is subject to a takeover offer - of the "incomplete, conditional and non-binding" kind used in Australia to stretch securities laws - from Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and Ontario Teachers Pension Plan.