Moody's delays releasing S Africa rating review

JOHANNESBURG, April 01 (Reuters): Ratings agency Moody's said it would not publish a review of South Africa's debt rating as indicatively scheduled, without giving a reason for the delay or the next scheduled release date.

In accordance with European Union regulations, Moody's provides dates for the potential release of both solicited and unsolicited sovereign credit rating actions.

Moody's rates South Africa's foreign and local currency debt on their lowest level of investment-grade at 'Baa3', with a stable outlook.

South African markets on Friday were on edge over the impending review, with some economists fearful that a power crisis will cost the country its last investment-grade rating and lead to capital flight and the outflows of billions of dollars.

Some analysts were hopeful Moody's would only revise its rating outlook to negative.

This year South Africa has experienced its worst power cuts in several years, as cash-strapped utility Eskom struggles with capacity constraints.