Fitch Ratings is a global credit rating agency that assesses the creditworthiness of issuers of debt, such as governments and corporations. Founded in 1914, it provides ratings that help investors understand the risk associated with various financial instruments. These ratings range from 'AAA' for the highest quality to 'D' for default. The agency plays a crucial role in the financial markets by offering insights into the credit risk of different entities. Its ratings influence investment decisions and can impact borrowing costs for issuers. Fitch Ratings is one of the three major credit rating agencies, alongside Moody's and Standard & Poor's.