Fast-growing Panama moves up investment-grade ladder

Fitch Ratings raised its investment-grade debt rating for Panama another notch, praising government policies to boost economic growth and keep debt in check.

Fitch raised the Central American country's rating to "BBB" -- one of the highest in Latin America and on par with Fitch's rating for Mexico.

Panama rocketed through the ranks after several years of rapid economic growth and trim budgets, receiving its first investment grade rating last year from Fitch. Moody's and Standard & Poor's soon followed.

Original source: Reuters