It will take a few years, and a whole lot of economic impacts, before we return to top-notch status

With news of the U.S. debt downgrade, it's time to get a basic explanation of the bond market

New York bureau chief Heidi Moore discusses what Standard & Poor's downgrade of America's credit rating will mean for consumers and whether it's time to panic.

S&P has announced that the United States has lost its AAA rating. How will this impact the global economy?