S&P downgrades Shell to A+/A-1; keeps door open to further downgrade

Credit ratings agency Standard and Poors on Monday downgraded oil major Royal Dutch Shell Plc to A+/A-1 from AA-/A-1+ and put its long-term credit rating on creditwatch negative citing sliding oil prices. S&P said Shell's one-notch downgrade, driven by weaker forecasts for its credit metrics over 2016-2018 and slower profit improvements, excluded the ratings impact of its BG Group Plc acquisition. Shell had said it was prepared for a downgrade as a result of the BG deal.