Favre says, “It’s all rumor.” But then Favre’s brother Scott came out and told WTMJ-TV in Milwaukee, “I think it’s 50-50 There’s no doubt he can play. One would think they’d convey a unified message, something that really expressed Favre’s true feelings whatever they are.But instead we’re receiving mixed message. (Reporting by Dena Aubin; Editing by Leslie Adler) Stocks Bonds. The whole Brett Favre situation is really, really frustrating There’s no other way to put it No one knows how it’s going to play out. And until it finally does, be prepared for more and more frustration.Maybe the most irritating part about it all is the inconsistent comments coming from Brett Favre and his family.In what might be the text message heard ’round the world, Favre texted three simple words to friend and Biloxi Sun Herald sports reporter Al Jones: “It’s all rumor.”I personally wonder if Favre actually bothered to put that apostrophe in a text message, but that’s a story for another day.If there’s one group of people that really, really, really are looking out for the best interests of Favre, it’s his family. “In addition, unrealized losses in the company’s securitiesportfolio could be significant and remain a ratings concern,”the agency said.

S&P said it is most concerned about Zion’s roughly $2.7billion portfolio of collateralized debt obligations andbelieves additional markdowns are likely. “We are concerned by the reported increase in nonperformingassets in the first quarter and the potential for furtherdeterioration, notably in the commercial real estate loanportfolio,” S&P said in a statement. Both agencies assigned a negative outlook, indicatinganother cut is likely over the long term. S&P cut Zion’s counterparty credit rating by two notches toBBB-minus, the lowest investment grade, from BBB-plus.Counterparty ratings reflect how well a company can meet itsfinancial obligations with customers, trading partners or otherparties.

Moody’s Investors Service on Monday slashed Zions’ seniordebt rating by eight notches to B2, its fifth-highest junkgrade, from A3. Zions, which operates banks throughout the westernUnited States, has been hurt as the troubled economy andhousing market cause broad credit weakness For details clickon [ID:n2040572]. Stocks  |  Bonds The downgrade was the second this week by a major ratingagency for Zions (ZION.O), which posted a big quarterly loss onMonday because of a write-down and losses in commercial realestate. NEW YORK, April 22 (Reuters) – Standard & Poor’s onWednesday cut its counterparty ratings on Zions Bancorp to onenotch above junk status, citing significant losses and the riskof more to come. Smith, Copyright Business Wire 2009.