The spreads, or gap of U.K. government debt over similar German debt has widened less than the spread of French debt over German paper.

FORBES: Buy British

After the markets closed Monday, Fitch Ratings downgraded AIG's long-term and short-term issuer default rating, as well as its senior unsecured debt and commercial paper program ratings.

FORBES: AIG Fights For Survival

On Tuesday the U.S. central bank said it would begin purchasing the short-term corporate debt known as commercial paper from American issuers.

FORBES: Magazine Article