Moody's Bottom Rung List

Moody's recently published their bottom rung list - companies that they expect to default on their loans and which are more likely to declare bankruptcy in the next year or so. Many of the companies shouldn't be a surprise to my RCS 484 students because we've been discussing these companies and their potential bankruptcy in our class for a while.

Here are some of the notable members on the retail list:

Barneys New York
BCBG Maz Azria
Blockbuster Inc.
Bon Ton Stores
Brookstone
Burlington Coat Factory
Claire's
Duane Reade
Eddie Bauer
Guitar Center
Harry and David
Michael's
Rite Aid

Some of the other notable companies on the bottom list are:
Krispy Kreme
Perkin's and Marie Callendars Restaurants
Arby's
Carmike Cinemas
Dole foods
Eastman Kodak
Ford
GM
Chrysler
Hollywood Theater
Quicksilver
Sbarro's
Sirius

Are you surprised? What are your thoughts? Do share.