YEREVAN, July 10. / ARKA /. Standard & Poor's Ratings Services lowered Italy's credit rating, saying the country's economic prospects are getting weaker, Prime reported.

S&P lowered its long-term sovereign credit ratings to 'BBB' from 'BBB+' on Tuesday. The new rating remains investment grade and is two notches above "junk" status. The firm offered a negative outlook, saying it could make another downgrade in 2013 or 2014. Lower credit ratings can make it more expensive for the government to borrow money and can spook bond investors.

S&P says Italy's economic output is falling and its economic prospects are getting worse after a decade of weakness. It now expects Italy's GDP to fall by 1.9% this year, worse than the 1.4% decline it forecast in March. -0-