Summary
Moody's Corporation (MCO) filed an 8-K on January 17, 2017, to report a significant material definitive agreement: a settlement with the United States Department of Justice and multiple states. This settlement resolves pending and potential civil claims related to credit ratings assigned by Moody's Investors Service to certain structured finance instruments during the financial crisis era, as well as statements made concerning their rating methodologies. The company has agreed to pay a substantial aggregate amount of $863.8 million ($437.5 million to the U.S. and $426.3 million to the states) as a civil monetary penalty. Importantly, the settlement explicitly states that it contains no findings of violations of law by Moody's and no admission of liability. Moody's will also implement and maintain enhanced compliance measures over the next five years.
Key Highlights
- 1Moody's Corporation reached a settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice and 24 states, along with the District of Columbia.
- 2The settlement resolves civil claims related to credit ratings of structured finance instruments during the financial crisis era.
- 3The total payment agreed upon is $863.8 million ($437.5 million to the U.S. and $426.3 million to the states).
- 4The settlement agreement contains no findings of violations of law or admissions of liability by Moody's.
- 5The company has committed to maintaining existing and implementing additional compliance measures over the next five years.
- 6The estimated impact of the settlement on earnings is approximately $3.62 per share.
- 7The settlement is effective immediately and does not require court approval.