The joint entity then had a bond issued which, because of Mount Sinai's financial problems, was placed on credit watch last year, one N.Y.U. trustee said.

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services placed JetBlue Airways on credit watch with negative implications yesterday, meaning that its debt ratings could be cut.

Shares of Houston Industries, which was placed on credit watch by Standard & Poor's after the deal was announced, fell 75 cents, to $22.875.

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services placed G.M. on credit watch with negative implications last week, meaning that its debt rating could be cut even deeper into junk.

The issue's rating had been reduced in June to BB, from BBB+, and the bonds were placed on credit watch.

Some workers had heard that in April, Standard & Poor's placed Steinway on credit watch with negative implications.

The debt ratings of the four largest Japanese brokerage firms have been placed on credit watch by Standard & Poor's.

Standard & Poor's placed the city's $1.3 billion outstanding debt on "credit watch" Monday, meaning it could drop below investment-grade level, to the level of junk bonds.

It also placed the Travelers Insurance Company's claims-paying rating on credit watch with negative implications.

They were among euro zone countries placed on "credit watch with negative implications" by S.& P. in December.