Fitch Ratings said France's credit grade is supported by the country's wealthy and diversified economy and noted that President Nicolas Sarkozy's conservative government has adopted several measures to strengthen its finances.
It said, however, that France's debt is expected to rise to a peak of 92 percent of GDP in 2014. As a result, the agency revised its outlook for France to negative from stable. That does not imply a possible downgrade.
However, Fitch did warn it could downgrade some of the eurozone's other big economies, notably Italy and Spain. It said that following last week's EU summit, it "has concluded that a 'comprehensive solution' to the eurozone crisis is technically and politically beyond reach."
It expects to complete the review of the six eurozone nations targeted Friday by the end of January. It is considering downgrading them one or two notches each.
French officials and investors had feared that France could get downgraded, which would have severe repercussions on European efforts to contain the debt crisis. France and Germany's AAA credit ratings underpin the rating for the eurozone's bailout fund.
Three of the eurozone's 17 nations have already received bailouts -- Greece, Ireland and Portugal. Investors fear that Italy and Spain's borrowing costs have risen so rapidly that they could also need financial aid. Both are considered too big for Europe's bailout fund to rescue. For the latest updates on the stock market, visit Stock Market Today For the latest updates PRESS CTR + D or visit Stock Market news Today
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