Portugal keeps access to EU financial help

Portugal kept its much-needed access to EU financial help Friday after a European Central Bank-approved credit agency maintained its rating of Portuguese debt at investment grade level. Toronto-based DBRS announced it had kept Portugal's rating at "BBB" level, with a "stable" perspective. "The rating reflects Portugal's eurozone membership and its adherence to the EU economic governance framework, which helps foster credible macroeconomic policies," it said in a statement.