Divergence within speculative grade is growing as the negative bias for 'B-' and lower is nearly double that of speculative grade. Tightening discretionary spending continues to weigh on consumer-facing sectors, including consumer products and media and entertainment. More than half of the 155 new potential downgrades (issuers with negative outlooks or ratings on CreditWatch negative) that were added in July-October cited high leverage as a factor. Rising stars reached a new monthly high for the year in October (with six), including Greece, Ford Motor Co., and British Airways PLC.