Standard & Poor’s (owned by McGraw-Hill, MHP.NYSE) rating agency decided to withdraw its long-term credit rating on the debt of Nine Dragons Paper (2689.HK), the Wall Street Journal reported. S&P said in a statement that it could not “fully understand the company’s strategy and financial management or assess its future credit risks.” The firm’s Deputy General Manger, Benjamin Ng, responded that it was given no prior notification that the rating would be withdrawn. Fitch, a rival ratings agency, reported that it had no problems accessing company management to determine its credit rating. The Hong Kong-listed company is controlled by Zhang Yin, China’s richest woman and third-richest person. The decision to withdraw comes amid increased scrutiny of Chinese firms listed abroad, including an official probe by the US Securities and Exchange Commission.
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