Brazil has dismissed as "contradictory" the decision by rating agency Standard & Poor's (S&P's) to downgrade the country's sovereign debt to BBB minus, the finance ministry said on Tuesday, dpa reported. Brazil has had its long-term debt rating downgraded from BBB to BBB minus, the agency's lowest investment-grade rating, with S&P's justifying the decision by pointing to fiscal fragility, low rates of growth and a weakening of the country's external accounts. The Brazilian finance ministry described Monday's decision as "inconsistent with the realities of the economy" and "contradictory" in the face of the country's economic stability. -- SPA 20:15 LOCAL TIME 17:15 GMT تغريد
